Signs to be changed at Worden Park car park where drivers 'could have stayed for longer than they thought'
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South Ribble Borough Council agreed to extend the permitted parking period at Worden Park in Leyland from 90 minutes to two hours - on weekdays during school term time - back in November 2020.
However, the notices were never altered and Buckshaw and Worden ward representative Alan Ogilvie told a meeting of the full council last month that locals had been left unaware that they could park for longer than the signage suggested.
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Hide AdCouncil leader Paul Foster said that the authority had been planning to replace the signs at the same time that it installed new pay and display machines at the site. But members heard that the new kit had been held up because of pandemic-related delays in the supply chain.
Cllr Ogilvie said that was no reason to allow visitors to curtail their trips to the park unnecessarily.
“I don't understand why it’s not possible to change the signage. At the moment, there [are] residents…who are potentially cutting short their visit because they think they have to leave after 90 minutes rather than two hours.
“Those signs could be changed, if they’re available, tomorrow. The parking machines can come after that - that’s irrelevant,” Cllr Ogilvie told the meeting.
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Hide AdThe authority has since blanked out the signage while it awaits the new equipment.
Having promised to look into Cllr Ogilvie’s concerns, cabinet member for planning, business support and regeneration, James Flannery, subsequently told the Post: “New parking terms for Worden Park were agreed some time ago, but as we are waiting on new pay and display machines to be installed, they have not yet come into action.
“The new terms will see two hours' free parking, [with] no return for three hours, Monday to Friday - with no restrictions on weekends or school holidays.
"Even though parking will be free of charge, a ticket will need to be displayed Monday to Friday to keep track of parking times, which is why we need the new machines.
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Hide Ad"As such, signage on the car park was incorrect and has now been covered. The signs will be updated with the new information when the pay and display machines are in place.
"As we are in the school holidays, no restrictions on Worden Park car parks are currently in place," Cllr Flannery added.
The overspill parking spaces at the facility were previously made available to Runshaw College students via a permit system, but that was scrapped two years ago when the car park had to be relaid because of the resultant wear and tear on its surface.