A CAMPAIGN to improve parking in Blackrod has proved a success.

More space for parking has been created following a campaign spearheaded by ward councillors Stephen Pickup, Ann Cunliffe and Lindsey Kell, who have been working with council officers to improve the situation for residents and shopkeepers.

The councillors said the lack of parking in Blackrod was having an impact on local business, as customers were having difficulty parking near shops.

Space has been created at the side of the health centre, by clearing an overgrown area and laying out a car park, and the informal parking area next to the recycling centre has been resurfaced.

A consultation on new parking restrictions on a section of New Street, to allow a limited number of parking spaces off peak and on Saturdays, and to introduce limited waiting spaces in front of the post office to encourage increased trading, has recently been completed.

Bolton’s Director of Environmental Services is also recommending that the new restrictions are introduced.

Further parking improvements planned for Blackrod include the re-lining of New Street Car Park, the introduction of an informal car park on the former garage area off Silvester Street and planning permission has been submitted for additional parking on part of the recreational area at New Street and Ridgeway.

Cllr Cunliffe said it was a “great result” as it would help businesses and residents.

She added: “These welcome improvements will encourage residents to shop in their own town, instead of travelling elsewhere, and will provide local business the custom to enable them to keep trading.”

Cllr Kell said: “Parking is a massive issue in Blackrod and one that residents have contacted me about on a number of occasions.

“I’m pleased that these improvements will go some way in relieving the pressure on spaces in the town centre and, particularly, improving the situation around Blackrod post office.”