A LAST-DITCH attempt to stop pay and display parking being introduced in Darwen has failed.

A group of 10 councillors called in a decision by council bosses to bring in charges to car parks on Railway Road and Atlas Road, which are free and unlimited.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The decision was made by Cllr Phil Riley, executive member for regeneration, and Cllr Jim Smith, executive member for environment, in a report earlier this month.

Councillors voted by seven votes to three to accept the decision.

It stated in the report that the car parks were predominately used by commuters and were normally full by 8.30am.

It was argued by councillors calling in the decision that ease of parking was an incentive to visit the town and the borough should be encouraging use of public transport.

However, Cllr Riley and Cllr Smith said that the decision was ‘not unreasonable’ and the revenue created will help the council to find the £48million it is required to by 2019.

Cllr David Foster, one of the councillors calling in the decision, said: “I do not think this decision was made properly.

“I have never had any difficulty in parking in the town centre during the day.

“It could end up costing people around £700-a-year to use those car parks and we are supposed to be encouraging people to use public transport.

“We have always said come to Darwen because there is free parking, and now it’s free parking except in these spots.

“I hope in future that if a decision is being made based on the fact we need to raise revenue that this is put in the report, which it has not been this time.”

It is the first time the council has decided to bring pay and display into the town.

The projected income per year of the two car parks is £39,268.

The charges would range from £1.50 to £5 depending on length of stay.

Cllr Riley said: “This decision is reasonable. These car parks are used by commuters in the main and there is a choice there for them if they wish to park somewhere else.

“This will not impact on people who are spending money in Darwen and people generally have to pay at railway station car parks. We are trying to find £48m between now and 2019 and it would be irresponsible of the council not to look at every possible way we can do this.”