DRIVERS said the introduction of charges in town centre car parks as start of 'Darwen’s Downfall'.

Blackburn with Darwen Council introduced charges at its Railway Road and Atlas Road car parks last Monday.

The charges set between Monday to Friday force motorists to pay £1.50 for up to two hours parking, £2 for up to four hours, £3 for up to 12 hours and £5 up to 24 hours.

No charges are set at weekends.

Council bosses said they have introduced the charges because commuters have being using the space to park all day for free while using the train to travel out of the town.

Lifelong Darwen resident David Seckington said he was shocked to see the new charges when he parked up in Railway Road.

He said:”I have always parked here.

“I was genuinely shocked when I saw we have to pay now.

“It’s a real shame because there’s not enough parking in Darwen as it is.

“It’s a big negative for the town and it’s going to have a big impact on businesses.

“It’ll be Darwen’s downfall, the town is already dying.”

His mother Pauline Seckington said: “It’s just another reason for people to go to Blackburn instead.

“I only come to Darwen because it’s closer and more convenient, but it won’t be if I have to pay.

“I have osteoporosis, so there will come a time when my son will have to come shopping with me and he’ll have to pay to park.”

Response taxi service based in Atlas Road said they are already feeling the effects on business.

Dawn Dunn said: “It’s absolutely rubbish.

“They’re completely empty because people are parking on the street for free.

“It’s a waste of public money.

“It’s not bringing people into town, it’s ruining Darwen.

“Most people who don’t want to drive will get a family member to drop them off and get a taxi home.

“They won’t do that if they have to pay just to drop them off."

Taxi driver Riaz Patel said: “A lot of people get a taxi from the station when they get off the train.

“We’re going to have to pay £3 if we want to pick someone up from the car park.

“It’s ridiculous.”

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen's executive member for regeneration, said: "The car park is never available for shoppers because it is being used by commuters.

“The car park is full by 8.30am and the same cars are still there at 5.30pm.

“Until this week the car park was not available for anyone else to use.

“Now what we have is a car park that is available for people who want to park up and do something in Darwen.

“There is a car park less than two minutes walk away that is free.”