A PETITION with more than 2,000 signatures opposing plans to introduce new street parking charges in a town centre will be presented to Lancashire County Council's budget meeting.

Pendle Rural's Liberal Democrat representative Cllr David Whipp will present the document objecting to the proposal for Colne to its full meeting to set next year's revenue and spending plans next week.

The county council is planning to install 53 more pay and display machines to raise cash in town centres the town centres of Whalley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson, Longridge, Burnley, Padiham and Great Harwood on the list of locations.

The plans, part of a £77million package of savings put forward in December, have provoked widespread opposition.

Cllr Whipp said: “When the proposal was first made, the ruling Conservative Councillors promised a 'proper consultation within two weeks' but this has simply not happened in the two months since then.

"Highway bosses at County Hall are now saying the only consultation on the plans will be about the technical legal traffic regulations needed to create the ‘chargeable parking places’.

“In other words LCC will only consult on the details, not the principle of on-street charges, which would be a disaster for Colne.”