Parking fees to be brought in (From Warrington Guardian)

Parking fees to be brought in

PAY and display charges are to be introduced at one of Nantwich's last free car parks in a bid to save spaces in the town.

Derelict land at the old Transco gas work site at Wyche Bank is currently used by visitors and workers in the town free of charge.

But Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council is on the brink of transforming the site into a long-stay pay and display car park and is preparing a revamp costing more than £600,000.

Council Board members are expected to approve the plan at its meeting tonight, Thursday, and submit it to Cheshire County Council for final approval.

The site - which has panoramic waterfront views overlooking the River Weaver - was touted as a potential goldmine for the council, capable of generating millions of pounds from developers.

It was thought the land was an ideal location for luxury apartments or a high-class hotel.

But with the imminent development of a state-of-the-art doctors surgery near the Civic Hall, which will result in a reduction of its parking spaces, the council felt it could not afford to lose any more parking areas.

The council's direct services executive David Marren said: "There are likely to be objections from existing informal users including local businesses, workers and residents.

"However failing to adopt the area will inhibit control of increasing demand for parking when the total number of spaces in the town is likely to fall as other developments take place.

"The site will be brought up to safe and secure standards in line with other borough car parks and this will include the provision of CCTV.

"Thus, this development should reduce crime and the fear of crime in this location and an income of approximately £55,000 per annum will accrue when the car park is complete."

Construction work will cost £208,000, with £410,000 spent on repaying a development land grant.

Plans and surveys to obtain planning permission has resulted in a £5,000 bill which has to be paid before April 1 this year.