Visitors driving to Ormskirk will soon get a bargain when they come to town as they will be able to park on a Borough Council-operated town centre car park for up to three hours for just £1.



West Lancashire Borough Council approved this proposal at its meeting on Wednesday 28 February 2018, and agreed charges should be consistent across all its short stay town centre car parks to make costs easier to understand for visitors. The changes are subject to an amended Traffic Regulation Order which, as part of the process, will need to be advertised for public consultation.



The proposed new charges for short stay car parks (Ormskirk Bus Station, Market Way, Lunesdale (Moorgate), Wheatsheaf and Park Road, located at the rear of Pound Stretcher) would be as follows:

· Up to 3 hours: £1

· Up to 4 hours: £2

Proposed new charges for long stay car parks The Stiles (Derby Street West), Park Pool, and Hutton Way) would be as follows:

· Up to 3 hours: £1

· Up to 4 hours: £2

· Up to 9 hours: £3

The proposed new charges for the Hants Lane Car Park would be as follows:

· Up to 3 hours: £1

· Up to 9 hours: £2

Parking will remain free on Sundays, Bank Holidays and between the hours of 5.30pm and 8.30am (Monday to Saturday Inclusive).



The authority is making these changes to its parking charges as part of its Ormskirk Town Centre Strategy which is seeking to improve the vitality and viability of the town centre as a destination to visit, shop and socialise for the benefit of both residents and visitors to the town. The move reflects ongoing discussions with local businesses who felt that the previous pricing structure did not encourage people to stay for extended periods. They suggested the town's vitality would be helped by low-cost parking for up to a 3-hour period.



Blue Badge holders will still be able to park for up to three hours free of charge in any Ormskirk town centre Council car park.



The new charging structure will be monitored over a 12-month period to assess the outcomes.



Councillor John Hodson, whose Cabinet responsibilities include parking, said: "These measures would take away the concerns of visitors thinking they have to rush back to their cars to avoid getting a parking ticket.



"So come to Ormskirk and see that the town has a fine range of facilities to offer including shops and restaurants, with several new ones opening recently, and the regular Ormskirk Market every Thursday and Saturday."



You can find out more about events and other exciting attractions Ormskirk and the surrounding area has to offer by visiting www.discoverormskirk.com.

The Council issues a limited number of annual parking permits for Hants Lane car park. The cost of these annual parking permits will rise from £195 to £250.



The new cost still provides a discounted charge of about 80 pence per day. People working or living in Ormskirk can apply for the parking permits. Due to the limited number of parking permits, demand for them is high.

Eh? How is it a bargain when I can park for free now behind the old Tesco's or for 40 pence at Hants Lane and soon it will be £1. Truly George Orwell would find plenty of material from this council.

So now I have to pay £1 instead of 70p to park for a quick visit to the doctors etc .. The payment for Hants Lane has increased from £195 to £250 . Quite a large increase .

seems like a good thing instead of having to rush around getting everything done in an hour and worrying of going over might encourage people to have a walk around
plus people very rarly have the right change and use a pound anyway