Fylde Council’s Executive Committee has approved a fully funded revenue budget contribution of up to £30,000 towards the costs of implementing the on-street parking restrictions laid out in a proposed Lancashire County Council Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).
This TRO will prevent motor caravans from waiting on the roadside along the St Anne’s Promenade and on some adjoining roads between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. It will also introduce a range of further parking amendments to address various concerns raised by residents and business owners.
These changes implied by the TRO would not only include the introduction of an overnight motorhome ban but also the creation of a coach stand near St Anne’s Pier and a bus bay at AKS Lytham.
Cllr Michelle Morris, Lead Member for Customer & Operational Services, said: ‘I welcome this excellent news. As a Council we’re very pleased to be making progress on an issue of such importance to our residents and hoteliers, and we will be certain to represent their views to Lancashire County Council as the proposal is developed further.’
As the Local Highway Authority, Lancashire County Council manage on-street parking in Fylde, including the implementation and enforcement of on-street parking restrictions. Motorhome parking overnight on the promenade has long been a concern for Fylde Council Members and residents.
Discussions between Fylde Council and LCC around implementing relevant restrictions previously came down to an issue of economic feasibility. When LCC brought a proposal to consultation to in 2020, it included the introduction of on-street pay and display, to which Fylde Council strongly objected. Without an income opportunity, and with no road safety need, LCC stated they would be unable to fund the scheme, and nor would Fylde Council given the absence of an appropriate highways budget.
Potential funding was recently identified through unallocated Covid Support Grant funding held by Fylde Council, leading to the revival of discussion. Lancashire County Council’s estimated costs, including signage, posts, lining and other requirements, is around £60,000. With the newly approved monies, Fylde Council has agreed to part-fund the work up to a capped contribution of £30,000.
The responses to the LCC consultation on the TRO will now be considered and reported to LCC’s Cabinet, with input provided by Fylde Council to address any specific concerns.
The motor homes parking issue, complete with maps showing the restricted areas, was fully reported in October 2023 by Lytham St. Anne’s News here: https://www.lythamstannes.news/news/will-promenade-prohibition-of-motor-caravans-send-overnight-campers-to-side-streets/
To read about the announcement of the consultation on the TRO, click here: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/lancashire-county-council-proposes-restrictions-on-motorhome-overnight-promenade-parking/
To read more about the TRO, visit the Lancashire County Council website: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/roads/roadworks-and-traffic-regulation-orders/permanent/
