PARKING in Blackburn town centre is to rise for the second year in a row.

Council bosses have approved proposals to add 20p onto every parking tariff for the town centre.

Last year, prices rose for the first time since April 2011.

According to the council, the proposed 20p increase in parking tariffs will generate an estimated £96,000 additional income in line with the budget expectations for parking services.

Executive member for growth and development, Cllr Phil Riley, said: "Parking tariffs in Blackburn Town Centre were increased in 2018 for the first time since April 2011.

"Given the continuing changes and improvements to the town centre offer, it is proposed that the parking tariffs are reviewed for 2020.

"The report sets out the option to increase the tariffs charged on street and off street, Monday to Saturday by 20p.

"Increasing parking charges will generate additional income for the Council providing the increases are not excessive to the point where they deter people from parking on street or using the council owned car parks.

"Parking charges in Blackburn town centre remain competitive in comparison to parking charges in Bolton town centre and Preston city centre and the town centre remains a very competitive destination for shoppers and visitors."

Blackburn Council car parks include Brown Street, Barton Street, Fleming Square, King Street, Salford, Simmons Street, Weir Street, Waves, Watford Street, Mill Lane, Starkie Street, and Feilden Street multi-storey.

Fees in Darwen will be unaffected, while there will also be no change to Sunday parking charges, which were introduced for the first time in 2018.

The new charge for on-street short-stay car parking between 8am and 6pm will rise from 80p to £1 for 30 minutes; £1.40 to £1.60 for an hour; from £2 to £2.20 for an hour and 30 minutes; and from £2.40 to £2.60 for two hours.

The fees for on street long-stay parking will rise from £1.50 to £1.70 for two hours; from £2.40 to £2.60 for four hours; from £3.30 to £3.50 for six hours; and from £4 to £4.20 for more than six hours.

Short-stay off street parking charges between 8am to 6pm will see increase from £1.20 to £1.40 for one hours; from £1.90 to to £2.10; from £2.60 to £2.80 for three hours; from £4 to £4.20 for five hours and from £8.20 to £8.40 for more than five hours.

For long-stay car parks fees rise from £1.50 to £1.70 for up to two hours; from £2.40 to £2.60 for four hours; from £3.30 to £3.50 for six hours; and from £4 to £4.20 for more than six hours.

The charges for Feilden Street multi-storey, which will remain closed on Sundays, will increase from £1.20 to £1.40 for an hour; from £1.70 to £1.90 for two hours; from £2.70 to £2.90 for four hours; from £3.90 to £4.10 for six hours and from £6.40 to £6.60 for more than eight hours.

The new fees will be brought in from Monday, February 3.