Street will shut to cars to end 'chaotic' parking

Parking on Senhouse Street is being changed so drivers will have to parallel park

A town's shopping street is to close to traffic for six weeks as changes are made to parking in the area.

Senhouse Street, in Maryport, Cumbria, will be closed to vehicles from 29 January, but the shops will remain open.

Bollards will be removed and parking spaces are being changed so that motorists will have to parallel park on the roadside.

The leader of Cumberland Council said the work would end "chaotic parking".

Councillor Mark Fryer said: “This should sort out the sometimes chaotic parking at this end of Senhouse Street.

“We are spending £12m on regenerating Maryport, and this public realm work is just a small part of that."

'Significant'

Along with the street improvements, the £12m regeneration of Maryport includes the opening of Christ Church as a new maritime museum and the creation of a new gallery.

New signs are also being installed around Maryport, directing people to the £12m of regeneration projects taking place.

Mr Fryer said: "I think [the Senhouse Street work] is significant as it focuses on two really important areas - the main shopping street and the railway station.

"They are what people see first when they visit Maryport, or come into town to eat, drink and shop."

The closure will affect the section of Senhouse Street from Curzon Street to Crosby Street, and will limit access to Furnace Lane.

Cumberland Council recommends that drivers park in Mill Street Car park.