2:45pm Thursday 23rd July 2009
By Chris Gee
A FIRM with strong links to the Royal British Legion is to take over enforcement of a borough’s car parks in a move intended to provide more ‘positive and helpful’ wardens.
Legion Group, which donates some of its profits to the ex-service persons’ welfare charity, will take over the running of Chorley’s 13 council-run car parks on September 5.
Chorley Council has negotiated the deal to replace the much-criticised Parkwise scheme, which they claim will save more than £25,000 per year.
Legion Group is also in negotiations with five more councils, including some in East Lancashire, to broker similar deals for pay-and-display car parks.
On-street car parking enforcement will still be controlled by the county council, after the contract was handed to NSL Services Group, the successor to Parkwise.
This will mean two sets of wardens on patrol.
Leader of Chorley Council Peter Goldsworthy said he hoped the appointment of Legion Group would herald a ‘new start’ and he expected a change in attitude from parking attendants.
He said: “From the feedback we got from those using the car parks we knew it was important to change the way it was administered.
“Parking attendants have a very tough job but I’m hopeful there will be a more positive and helpful attitude from the new people.
“We will also be encoura-ging them to act as meeters and greeters to those visiting Chorley.
“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about on-street enforcement, which will still be controlled by the county council.”
Tony Goddard, head of parking services for the Legion Group, said: “I can confirm we have reached agreement to run Chorley’s pay-and-display car parks.
“We are in talks with five other Lancashire author-ities to provide similar services.”
Legion Parking Services manage more than 400 car parks on behalf of local authorities, NHS Trusts and retail parks.
The group also handles parking at the Barbican Centre in London and at special events such as the Southport Flower Show.
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