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Parking charges proposal earns immediate veto

17/ 3/2005

TENTATIVE proposals to introduce charges at Accrington's Arndale Centre car park have been promptly rejected by Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe.

Asset Management, the company which owns the centre, had suggested the charges as part of plans to revamp the shopping centre entrance and car park.

Hyndburn Council has unveiled plans to transform Broadway and has successfully bid for £10,000 from Lancashire Local's innovation fund to add to the £250,000 already set aside to resurface the street and to install new benches and flower pots.

The Arndale Centre had been in talks with Hyndburn Council about funding the refurbishment of the entrance to the shopping centre, to tie in with the revamp of Broadway.

But Director of Asset Management, David Revill, suggested that the refurbishment, along with the introduction of lighting and CCTV in the car park, could be funded by the introduction of car parking charges.

Mr Revill said: "We would happily contribute towards the cost of refurbishing the section from Broadway to the Arndale entrance and our local manager has put forward this proposal to the council. We are currently awaiting a response.

"We would need to generate a substantial amount of revenue to add to the funding of this scheme and this may raise other politically-sensitive issues such as charging for car parking."

Councillor Britcliffe said: "We have not heard anything about this but under a covenant we agreed with the Arndale the council would have the final say on any parking charges.

"It is not the policy of the ruling group to introduce any parking charges for Hyndburn residents."