Disc Parking to be reintroduced

Date published: 03 August 2010

Rossendale Council has agreed to the reintroduction of disc parking in parts of the borough.

Rossendale’s Cabinet (on 29th July 2010) agreed that parking restrictions should be reintroduced in Rawtenstall, Haslingden, Crawshawbooth and Waterfoot.

Shoppers and visitors will now have 3 hours on the short stay car parks - unlike the previous scheme when the time limit was 2 hours. Disc Parking will be reintroduced from September 2011 to encourage the use of local shops and businesses.

The decision follows neighbourhood consultation with residents and local businesses who were concerned that the town centre car parks were being abused by people parking in them all day, resulting in genuine shoppers having difficulty parking.

Neighbourhood Forums in Rawtenstall and Haslingden, Helmshore & Edenfield both asked for the reintroduction of a time limit on parking in ‘short stay’ car parks to free up town centre spaces. It has been noted that some cars are parking in short stay spaces all day.

Car parking restrictions were lifted in Rossendale during 2009 with the situation remaining under review and residents being warned that if the short stay spaces were abused, restrictions may have to be reintroduced.

Council Leader, Tony Swain said: “Last year we removed the disc parking scheme and had no restrictions to try and assist local businesses. Unfortunately it has been widely abused with both Manchester commuters and town centre workers parking all day. I am particularly dismayed by those who work in the town not using the long stay areas as they did before restrictions were lifted. Local people and traders have asked for changes and we are now acting on what they are saying. The three hour limit achieves the right balance between stopping commuters to Manchester using the short stay parking and giving people plenty of time to do their shopping.


“No changes are being proposed in the Bacup and Whitworth areas as parking has not been raised as an issue at the respective Neighbourhood Forums.”