Ribble Valley Borough Council offers free parking in run-up to Christmas

Members of the public will receive the gift of free parking in the run-up to Christmas in the Ribble Valley this year.

Four car parks across the area will be subject to the change on the Saturdays running up to yuletide.

Ribble Valley Borough Council said it has ‘long provided’ free parking over previous Christmas periods, a change which will continue this year.

The car parks in question are: Clitheroe Market, Railway View and Lowergate in Clitheroe, as well as Barclay Road in Longridge.

The free parking will be offered on November 28, December 5, December 12 and December 19 from 9.30am, for any length of time.

The council’s community services committee met on Tuesday to discuss the scheme, having been asked to approve it by officers.

A council report prepared for the meeting reads that last year a change was made to include the November Saturday, as that is when the Clitheroe Christmas Market takes place.

That change was kept for this year.

The item also included improvement works to car parks across the council area.

A damaged height barrier at Greenside car park in Ribchester, which had to be removed after being damaged by an emergency vehicle, will be replaced.

The council is also in the process of obtaining prices for relining work on Lowergate, Holden Street and Highmoor car parks in Clitheroe.

Worn, faded or damaged car park signs will also be replaced, among other changes and works.

Adam Allen, director of community services, took the meeting through the proposals.

Councillor Lee Street of Wiswell and Barrow, Conservative, asked why the parking was only free after 9.30am.

Mr Allen said it was ‘mainly’ so the car parks did not get ‘clogged up’ by local businesses, making sure they are used for visitors and shoppers.

The scheme, including Christmas parking and the car park improvements, was approved by members.