A BUSY town car park could get a £1.2million second deck to accommodate another 100 vehicles.

The proposed funding for the deck for the Chester Avenue site in Clitheroe is to be considered by Ribble Valley Borough Councillors today.

If the scheme goes ahead in 2019/20, the existing spaces, located near the railway station, will be closed for around five weeks for construction to take place.

MORE TOP STORIES:

News of the proposal has been welcomed by MP Nigel Evans, Clitheroe Town Council leader Cllr Mary Robinson and market trader Eileen Ansar.

The council’s community services committee will consider the capital bid for £1.23m when it meets at 6.30pm in the borough council chamber in Clitheroe.

The item says the scheme has ‘the potential of adding 100 further car parking spaces’.

It warns of increased maintenance costs as a result and the need for planning permission.

Cllr Robinson, also Liberal Democrat representative for Primrose Ward and a member of the committee, said: “This is really good news and it is ideal.

“We are desperately short of car parking in Clitheroe.

“Whatever scheme goes forward for the market redevelopment, we will need more car parking and this is an excellent idea.

“Lack of places to park has been one of the objections to the current proposals.”

Her son Paul, who represents St Mary’s ward on the town council, said: “It’s a good idea and it’s just what Clitheroe centre needs.”

Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans said: “I would support this provided the second deck is screened.

“Car parking in Clitheroe is a problem which will get worse with any redevelopment of the market.

“We have a lot of shoppers and visitors who come to Clitheroe and find it difficult to park.”

“This should help solve the problem without damaging its market town character.”

Mrs Ansar, a trader on the open market opposed to the redevelopment plans, said: “We need more space regardless of whether the new market scheme goes ahead.”

The bid would involved a 16-week lead time to get the new parking deck manufactured, a week to install it and another month to finish the work.

The report to committee says it would meet the council’s aim to ‘protect and enhance the existing environmental quality of our area’.