COUNCILLORS have negotiated more parking for disabled people in the town centre next to Wilkinson's store.

Orange Badge holders have no specific facility at this end of town and have been pressing for additional town centre spaces. Informal discussions with the St Helens Access Group have confirmed that such a facility would be welcomed.

The shoppers' parking spaces that Wilkinson's were asked to provide beside their store are being abused and the council has agreed to manage them as parking for disabled shoppers.

Supervision on the new 18-bay Orange Badge car park would be by British Legion staff with a maximum three-hour stay.

The scheme was approved at a meeting of the council's Highways and Transportation sub-committee whose chairman, Councillor Joe De Asha, said: "The council is always mindful to the needs of disabled people and this new facility will further boost car parking in the town centre."

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