Trade fears over St Annes prom pay and display parking proposal

Colin Ballard, chairman of the St Annes Enterprise Partnership, is urging residents to have their say in the consultation now under way into the Lancashire County Council proposal to charge for parking between 8am and 6pm all the way from Fairhaven Lake to Todmorden Road, St Annes.

The County Council says the move is intended to help encourage visitors to consider their best parking options and also to restrict overnight parking of camper vans, covered by a separate order.

But Colin fears that drivers arriving to find parking is payable could be put off from spending time and money locally and move on elsewhere, while residents of adjoining side roads have already expressed fears over it resulting in parking congestion there.

Colin said: “I can’t believe they have come up with this idea – as if local businesses are battling enough with the pandemic. This is a bad idea and the timing is particularly dreadful. If we take it away the free roadside parking along the Prom, I really fear visitors will go elsewhere.

“It is important everyone makes their point about it in the consultation - don’t just moan on social media, have your say and make a difference.”

Peter Bell, the County Council’s regulation and enforcement manager, said: “We are currently consulting on proposals to introduce on-street pay and display parking along areas of the seafront in Lytham St Annes between 8am and 6pm.

“This is intended to help better manage parking by encouraging visitors to consider the best option in conjunction with the off-street car parks.

“The proposals include a restriction on overnight parking to cars only in response to ongoing nuisance and hygiene issues caused by long term parking of campervans.

“There is also a proposal to introduce some bays for buses and coaches near Fairhaven Lake to help free-up more space for cars on Fylde Council car parks.”

Charges would range from £1.90 for an hour to £5.50 all day and representations should be made in writing to The Director of Corporate Services, Lancashire County Council, PO Box 78, County Hall, Preston PR1 8XJ or by e-mail to [email protected]. Closing date is November 19.

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