Parking 'mayhem' in Darwen around leisure centre (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Parking 'mayhem' in Darwen around leisure centre
8:00am Monday 20th February 2012 in Darwen
SHOPPERS taking up parking spaces at Darwen Leisure Centre are causing “mayhem”, according to town councillors.
Earcroft Councillor Steve Potter said: “Shoppers are parking up at the leisure centre, so genuine users of the building are just going off elsewhere, parking over pedestrian crossings and doing as they please along side streets.
“It’s a right mess, it’s causing all sorts of problems. People start using the nearby Health Centre car park, then that has knock-on effects on where patients can go.
“At the moment there’s no limit on the leisure centre park park, and you can park for however long you want.
“There are suggestions that a barrier and ticket system for leisure centre users is needed.”
Sunnyhurst Councillor Brenda Cronshaw added: “It obviously is a problem and we need to look at whether limited parking or a barrier that can be opened with a leisure centre card can be brought in.
“We also need to make sure that the centre’s staff aren’t taking up spaces all day that could be used by customers. They should be encouraged to get the bus.”
Chris Riding, 31, of nearby Weaver’s Mews, said: “There are a lot of cars during the day that park on the side roads, but this might be to do with people going to the health centre as well.”
Councillor Dave Smith has written to the leisure centre manager about the town council’s concerns, and is awaiting a reply.
Executive member for leisure and culture, Councillor Damian Talbot, said: "The popularity of Darwen Leisure Centre, I'm delighted to say, has continued to grow and grow.
"However, we are aware of the parking issues as a result and we are currently considering options to help reduce the congestion in that area.
"I would like to stress that the car park is for leisure centre users and staff only and shoppers are reminded to please use the parking spaces provided else where."
Comments(40)
happycyclist
says...
8:31am Mon 20 Feb 12
And as for Councillor Cronshaw's comments about staff being encouraged to get the bus to work, perhaps customers should be encouraged to do the same.
mars5
says...
9:16am Mon 20 Feb 12
A simple barrier system would work, automatic entry, free to park and you just need to pick a token up before you leave.
onlyonesimongarner
says...
9:33am Mon 20 Feb 12
Seriously Love, Do you think the cost and reliability of Public Transport makes this a viable option. Get in the real world.
happycyclist
says...
9:34am Mon 20 Feb 12
A Darener
says...
9:47am Mon 20 Feb 12
chris283
says...
10:14am Mon 20 Feb 12
nil bye mouth
says...
10:54am Mon 20 Feb 12
QuizOnMyFace
says...
10:58am Mon 20 Feb 12
Opposite Sainsbury's
3 Levels of the Market car park
Opposite The Green
Ample parking for shoppers in Darwen without having to use the Leisure Centre or Health Centre
QuizOnMyFace
says...
11:00am Mon 20 Feb 12
QuizOnMyFace wrote:And ALL FREE may I add
Sainsbury's Opposite Sainsbury's 3 Levels of the Market car park Opposite The Green Ample parking for shoppers in Darwen without having to use the Leisure Centre or Health Centre
A Darener
says...
11:12am Mon 20 Feb 12
happycyclist
says...
11:21am Mon 20 Feb 12
Your ferret stinks
says...
12:25pm Mon 20 Feb 12
Maybe people who are using the leisure centre could cycle there or walk there after all it is exercise these people are craving........seems daft to me why someone would spend good money to go on a running machine and drive there!
hasslem hasslem
says...
1:35pm Mon 20 Feb 12
.
bring back hanging!
living the end times in BB1
says...
1:51pm Mon 20 Feb 12
mars5 wrote:Chris Riding, 31, of nearby Weaver’s Mews, said: “There are a lot of cars during the day that park on the side roads, but this might be to do with people going to the health centre as well.”
I use the leisure centre quiet often and there are times when it is really busy because of people using the centre (Saturday mornings especially), but I also see people parking and wandering down to town.
A simple barrier system would work, automatic entry, free to park and you just need to pick a token up before you leave.
Staff and people who are fit enough to use the leisure centre should lead by example and demonstrate to all the Darwen fatties buying their cream cakes from town that there is more to life than just stuffing their faces with cardiacal G.M foods and sweets.Then fit a big bigger bigger barrier to keep the fat scrotey parasitic parkers away from areas were leisure centre staff and users must find their sight quite repulsive.
english rose 1
says...
2:06pm Mon 20 Feb 12
A Darener wrote:The old leisure centre had 12 parking spaces, the new one has 56. The old health centre had 10 parking spaces the new one has 110.
When they designed the health centre people said make sure there is adequate parking. When they designed the leisure centre people said, make sure there is adequate parking. result, parking chaos. Will the powers that be NEVER! learn?
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There is no 'parking mayhem' - it's simply that folk want to park in the most convenient place possible to where they want to go. The parking areas at Railway Rd (near to the railway bridge) and rear of the Youth Centre on Knott St are almost empty.
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Drivers - if there are no spaces at the Leisure Centre - walk that extra 100 yards !
A Darener
says...
2:16pm Mon 20 Feb 12
But the old HC was on the level and most people could just catch a bus to the centre and walk, but now the elderly and infirm would have to climb a very steep hill to get to the new HC so they now go by car.
Little Diamond
says...
2:35pm Mon 20 Feb 12
Newmummy123
says...
2:43pm Mon 20 Feb 12
onlyonesimongarner
says...
2:53pm Mon 20 Feb 12
Newmummy123 wrote:But why is 10 minutes a problem, even a minor traffic jam could et you back that far, so surely you would be 10 minutes early anyway to make sure of making the appointment
Helth centre parking is AWFULL!! need to give at least ten min before ur appt to try and find a space!! X
onlyonesimongarner
says...
2:53pm Mon 20 Feb 12
Newmummy123 wrote:But why is 10 minutes a problem, even a minor traffic jam could et you back that far, so surely you would be 10 minutes early anyway to make sure of making the appointment
Helth centre parking is AWFULL!! need to give at least ten min before ur appt to try and find a space!! X
CapitaBackHander
says...
4:10pm Mon 20 Feb 12
Mayhem? Don't be daft! A little issue yes.
I said before it was built that the car park would just be used by health centre visitors and at times the majority are from there. I bet a stupid law prevents this but either get rid of all the disabled bays re next point. Remove one side of double yellow lines that stretch whole length outside or leave and that's where disabled can park.
Don't introduce barrier as that is a daft suggestion because it will cost money and be hard to implement while actually just making cars park elsewhere I.e more on weavers way!
Staff have every right to park three and only a selfish moron would say otherwise.
The council is so in bed with twin valley, capita and one of those most own land either side of hostel which is a longterm solution unless someone sets it on fire like last week.
Excluded again
says...
4:41pm Mon 20 Feb 12
A Darener wrote:The original design for the Health Centre had more parking spaces.
When they designed the health centre people said make sure there is adequate parking. When they designed the leisure centre people said, make sure there is adequate parking. result, parking chaos. Will the powers that be NEVER! learn?
When the health centre was redesigned to include a sports centre - as many people in Darwen campaigned for - it was made absolutely clear that this would mean sacrificing car park spaces.
Your ferret stinks
says...
6:40pm Mon 20 Feb 12
What like it's his fault all of a sudden!
Malthus
says...
8:08pm Mon 20 Feb 12
nil bye mouth wrote:Well said. I get really annoyed by the LT effectively censoring public opinion by being selective with the comments facility. Once a criminal has been sentenced newspapers are no longer bound by the law with regard to sub judice, therefore we should all be given the right to comment.
Off topic i know but I see once again no comments are allowed on the accrington asian taxi driver convicted and sentenced for serious sexual assault on a female passenger disgracefull censorship by this newspaper.
Your ferret stinks
says...
9:31pm Mon 20 Feb 12
happycyclist wrote:Maybe because it would make a good rehabilitation unit / detention centre due to its very layout inside and it's close proximity to the health centre, just think it saves building one up livesey branch road, plus you have got to admit that it is a wonderfully built building with alot of darwens heritage attached be it good or bad.
Why hasn't the Model been knocked down? -that would provide a few more parking spaces.
You heard it here first!
living the end times in BB1
says...
9:46pm Mon 20 Feb 12
Malthus wrote:Sir.Thats only in the free world..
nil bye mouth wrote:Well said. I get really annoyed by the LT effectively censoring public opinion by being selective with the comments facility. Once a criminal has been sentenced newspapers are no longer bound by the law with regard to sub judice, therefore we should all be given the right to comment.
Off topic i know but I see once again no comments are allowed on the accrington asian taxi driver convicted and sentenced for serious sexual assault on a female passenger disgracefull censorship by this newspaper.
english rose 1
says...
11:39pm Mon 20 Feb 12
A Darener wrote:Most folk visiting the old health centre did so by car. Fact. If folk without a car want to go to the new health centre they can go by bus - it drops off & picks up right outside.
"The old health centre had 10 parking spaces the new one has 110".
But the old HC was on the level and most people could just catch a bus to the centre and walk, but now the elderly and infirm would have to climb a very steep hill to get to the new HC so they now go by car.
*
The new health centre offers far more services than the old one. So folk had to go to Blackburn or further away.
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I'd rather have more health services in Darwen than have folk travel to Blackburn.
english rose 1
says...
11:41pm Mon 20 Feb 12
Little Diamond wrote:No there wasn't - it was actually a staff car park and also shared with the police. The old health centre had 10 parking spaces for the public.
English Rose where were you lookin? At old leisure centre there was a large car park at the rear. Room for much more than 10 cars.
goz
says...
12:37am Tue 21 Feb 12
hasslem hasslem
says...
9:00am Tue 21 Feb 12
english rose 1 wrote:interesting use of the word "Fact"....please back up your statement with figures to support your boldness.
A Darener wrote:Most folk visiting the old health centre did so by car. Fact. If folk without a car want to go to the new health centre they can go by bus - it drops off & picks up right outside.
"The old health centre had 10 parking spaces the new one has 110".
But the old HC was on the level and most people could just catch a bus to the centre and walk, but now the elderly and infirm would have to climb a very steep hill to get to the new HC so they now go by car.
*
The new health centre offers far more services than the old one. So folk had to go to Blackburn or further away.
*
I'd rather have more health services in Darwen than have folk travel to Blackburn.
.
Otherwise you sir (if indeed you are male of the species) are a Numpty - FACT
hasslem hasslem
says...
9:00am Tue 21 Feb 12
english rose 1 wrote:interesting use of the word "Fact"....please back up your statement with figures to support your boldness.
A Darener wrote:Most folk visiting the old health centre did so by car. Fact. If folk without a car want to go to the new health centre they can go by bus - it drops off & picks up right outside.
"The old health centre had 10 parking spaces the new one has 110".
But the old HC was on the level and most people could just catch a bus to the centre and walk, but now the elderly and infirm would have to climb a very steep hill to get to the new HC so they now go by car.
*
The new health centre offers far more services than the old one. So folk had to go to Blackburn or further away.
*
I'd rather have more health services in Darwen than have folk travel to Blackburn.
.
Otherwise you sir (if indeed you are male of the species) are a Numpty - FACT
goz
says...
9:01am Tue 21 Feb 12
CapitaBackHander
says...
9:48am Tue 21 Feb 12
goz wrote:Answer = The amount you saw or infact a few more. You don't think they drive them around for a laugh do you? They changed practices ages ago and seem to sort or work alot from here which is good! They also don't park on Borough Rd - they park outside the poundshop on the A666. Which is also a place you wouldn't want Leisure Centre / Health Centre car users parking.
Just been past there now and no wonder the public cant park half of Borough road is covered in Royal Mail vans. How many vans does a small post office like Darwen need ???
If the town council or leisure centre were that bothered they would get proper bike stores with CCTV coverage. The current system would not get most peoples joy fixed to it - proper ones like the ones at Blackburn Hospital but with internal mountings and cctv.
Still not seen any mayhem....
A Darener
says...
9:51am Tue 21 Feb 12
goz wrote:Don't start upsetting the PO. They have closed far too many as it is. If the sorting office moved they would probably close the post office facility as well so be careful what you say about their vans. Don't give them an excuse to close.
Just been past there now and no wonder the public cant park half of Borough road is covered in Royal Mail vans. How many vans does a small post office like Darwen need ???
english rose 1
says...
11:07am Tue 21 Feb 12
english rose 1 wrote:there was a survey done when the new health centre was being planned - gave figures for those accessing the old centre by car, bus and on foot.
A Darener wrote:Most folk visiting the old health centre did so by car. Fact. If folk without a car want to go to the new health centre they can go by bus - it drops off & picks up right outside.
"The old health centre had 10 parking spaces the new one has 110".
But the old HC was on the level and most people could just catch a bus to the centre and walk, but now the elderly and infirm would have to climb a very steep hill to get to the new HC so they now go by car.
*
The new health centre offers far more services than the old one. So folk had to go to Blackburn or further away.
*
I'd rather have more health services in Darwen than have folk travel to Blackburn.
*
Most visited by car.
*
amazed
says...
1:41pm Tue 21 Feb 12
pm1960
says...
4:47pm Tue 21 Feb 12
hairy mary
says...
9:26pm Wed 22 Feb 12
amazed
says...
7:08pm Thu 23 Feb 12
hairy mary,
Your comment is "over my head" I'm afraid. If it is supposed to be funny your humour escapes me.
louderfasterlonger says...
8:25am Mon 20 Feb 12
Also, do you think the leisure centre staff are payed so well that they can afford public transport both for themselves and their children ?
How much a week ? 25? 30?
With this "let them eat cake" attitude from brenda, it seems the conservative motto is still OUT OF TOUCH !