Continued warnings about illegal parking in Whalley Range

Neighbourhood officers are requesting that people wanting to use any of the shops in Whalley Range should use the new car park at Swallow Drive.

The car park, which cost the council £275,000 to commission and create, was opened at the old Blakewater Lodge site in October and has seen the creation of 54 standard car parking places and four disabled bays.

Despite this, some ignorant drivers continue to park illegally along the busy stretch.

The building of the car park came in response to reported congestion and dangerous parking that affected parents and guardians collecting or dropping children off at St Michael with St John CE Primary School, along with residents and local businesses.

READ MORE: Blackburn's £275,000 car park development is officially open

However, neighbourhood police say that motorists are still using the roads and pavements in the surrounding areas as a car park, instead of making use of the new facility, which, despite costing a nominal fee during the day, is actually free after 8pm. 

The car parking daily tariffs at Swallow Drive, Blackburn (Image: Lancs Police)

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "Please can I request that all users of Whalley Range, Blackburn, utilise the new car park built on the old Blakewater Lodge site (Swallow Drive, Blackburn).

"The car park is covered with street lighting and a camera is situated directly opposite Manchester Sweet Centre, overlooking the area.

"The car park is comprised of approximately 54 spaces and is free after 8pm daily (maximum stay is four hours).

"Please park considerably and utilise the available spaces.

READ MORE: Police warning over double yellow line parking in Whalley Range

"Police have liaised with the council and enforcement action will be taking place, on a regular basis in the near future."

This isn't the first time police have issued a warning about parking in the area.

In mid-January, officers advised motorists not to park on double yellow lines in Whalley Range after issuing several parking tickets to offending motorists. 

Blackburn with Darwen Council's deputy leader, Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: "The council put the car park there to ease the parking situation across Whalley Range.

"It's a very busy business district and we would encourage people to start using that car park.

"It's free after 8pm and it's reasonably priced during the day, and we will be following up with any enforcement to target those who continue to flout the parking restrictions in that area.

"This is a plea to everyone to abide by the rules, they are there for a reason, for everyone's safety."