Parking ban trialled for town's market square

Market Square in Kirkham. The parking area is cobbled with room for about 20 cars. There are rows of shops to the left of the square, and a road and some houses and more shops to the right. There are curved benches in front of the car park for shoppers to sit on.Google

Market Square will have a parking ban introduced

Paul Faulkner
Local Democracy Reporting Service

Parking has been banned in a town's popular market square.

Lancashire County Council introduced the restriction after the recent £9.5m revamp of Kirkham’s centre.

The square has long operated as a free, informal car park, with space for about 24 vehicles.

However the plan is for the area to be used for local events.

All on-street and off-street parking in the town is free and County Hall said there was “ample” alternatives to Market Square, including the car parks at Eagles Court and Mill Street.

The ban excludes vehicles needing access for the market and events.

Public funding

Highways bosses said they would evaluate how the change works but they intended to consider making the rule permanent after a consultation.

Earlier this year, Fylde Council rejected a proposal by the county authority to introduce on-street pay and display charges in town centres across Lancashire.

Kirkham’s off-street car parks are operated by the town council, which has kept those facilities free.

The town received £6.2m for its transformation from the previous government’s Towns Fund in 2021 – which was £3m less than it applied for.

Lancashire County Council contributed the difference so the project could be completed.

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