Motorists may have to pay to use the Park and Ride car parks near a Lancaster motorway junction, under new proposals.
Lancashire County Council is planning a new pay-and-display scheme for the Lancaster Park and Ride's North and South car parks, instead of charging for bus travel only.
The 650-space site, open 24 hours a day seven days a week at the junction of Caton Road with the motorway, currently allows people to park for free, only paying to travel by bus into Lancaster city centre - with buses running every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday.
A public consultation is under way on the plans, closing on August 28.
"We’re consulting on plans to introduce a £2 parking charge at the Lancaster Park and Ride’s North and South car parks, switching to a pay-and-display system rather than charging only for bus travel," said Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Lancashire County Council.
"The change will mean that everyone who uses this car park will contribute towards maintaining the site.
"The charge for parking will include bus travel, which currently costs £2, meaning there will be no extra cost for those already using this important service.
"We welcome residents’ views before the consultation closes on August 28.”
The county council website says: "This aims to support the ongoing maintenance and operation of the facilities—including both the site and the bus service—while encouraging appropriate use of the available parking spaces.
"The proposed parking charge will be aligned with the current park and ride bus fare and will permit parking for a 24-hour period.
"This charge will apply at all times, seven days a week. The fee will include bus travel for the driver of the parked vehicle.
"Any additional passengers will be required to pay the standard bus fare or applicable concession, which will remain unchanged."
If the plans get the go-ahead, the Lancaster Park and Ride North will comprise a total of 390 parking spaces, including 35 disabled parking spaces, and one motorcycle parking space.
Lancaster Park and Ride South will comprise of a total of 246 parking spaces, including 23 disabled parking spaces, one space for works vehicles only, one motorcycle parking space, 12 electric vehicle charging spaces, and six limited waiting electric vehicle charging spaces for one hour no return within 2 hours.
Lancaster business owner Paul Cusimano, of the Totally Local Lancaster group, posted on the group's page that he was "urging both businesses and residents to object, especially in light of Lancaster City Council's new 'Car Park Strategy' which will result in a number of the city centre's car parks being built on".
Any representations or objections (specifying the grounds on which they are made) relating to the proposal must be made in writing and should be sent to The Director of Law and Governance, Lancashire County Council, PO Box 100, County Hall, Preston PR1 0LD or by e-mail to tro-consultation@lancashire.gov.uk quoting ref: LSG4\894.20697\AFR before August 28.
Read more: New strategy approved for Lancaster city centre car parking - Beyond Radio
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