PLANS to end the arguments surrounding Lancaster's notorious voucher parking system have been unveiled. Lancaster City Council has devised two-point proposals to make the scheme more user-friendly. That includes the installation of pay and display machines on the city centre streets as revealed in last week's Citizen. Motorists will now be able to either use the machines or continue to buy the controversial vouchers from participating shops when parking in Lancaster. And the council also plan to extend the parking time in some of the less popular areas of the voucher parking zone and are considering lowering the charges for those areas.

These proposals come after months of debate about the parking system, first introduced on May 1. Hundreds of local traders and shoppers have already put their names to a petition calling for the scheme to be scrapped.

Cllr Ian Barker, deputy leader of the council, said: "We have had a number of constructive discussions with the Chamber of Commerce and with independent traders.

"Many feel that payment for on-street parking would be acceptable if pay and display machines were used. We will try to meet these concerns and will work as expeditiously as we can to modify the voucher scheme.

"The vitality of Lancaster centre as a place to visit and shop is a vital concern to the city council.

"Traffic congestion and the resulting pollution can reduce the attractiveness of our centre and, in the long term, will damage trade.

The council must now come to an agreement with the county council, partners in the voucher parking scheme, and gain a Traffic Order before the machines can be installed.

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