CONTROVERSIAL plans to charge for car parking on streets in the centre of Blackpool are back on the agenda.

Pay and display machines could be in place within months as Blackpool Council bosses claim they have learned from their experience the last time they tried to introduce charges four years ago.

Drivers will have to pay 20p for 20 minutes and 50p for 40 minutes parking in the 'inner zone' bordered by Queen Street, Topping Street and Adelaide Street.

In the 'outer zone,' stretching to Bank Street, Albert Road and Cookson Street, parking will stretch to 80 minutes.

Spaces will also be created for coaches and motorcycles, and loading bays will be introduced on some streets for people arriving at guest houses and deliveries at other businesses.

Bosses say the scheme, which is likely to cost £145,000 to set up, is not aimed at filling the cash-strapped council's coffers.

"This scheme has not been included in the council budget for the next year," said deputy leader, Cllr Eddie Collett: "We have tried to take on board many of the criticisms from four years ago.

"There is a small section of the community that objects to everything we do and another section are very vociferous on transport issues, but, generally speaking, we think 20p for 20 minutes is not something that an awful lot of people will find too damaging."

Any profits would have to be spent on improving transport, he added.

The proposal is aimed at providing more parking space around the town and increasing the 'turnover' of drivers using them, responding to issues raised in the council's consultation on the Parkrite scheme.

But opponents of the last street parking project have reacted angrily to the proposals.

Businessman Stephen Black, who campaigned against the 2000 proposals, says he will consult other business people to gauge their mood on the proposals.

"This is just short-sightedness," said Mr Black: "There is no joined up thinking here. Tesco are allowed to double in size and allow people to park for free, but people who want to shop in town are having to pay."

Conservative group leader, Cllr Peter Callow, said he would oppose the charges: "We don't have the best town centre in the world -- and we have Preston, with a magnificent shopping centre, just down the road.

"People will go elsewhere -- they are doing that now. What is 20 minutes parking? You have barely got time to get out of the car before you have to go back. We will certainly fight this."

A consultation exercise has been launched and town hall chiefs hope to address members of the Town Centre Forum on the scheme.

Comments can be posted on the council website, www.blackpool.gov.uk, or sent to Creating SPACE, Public Relations Office, Municipal Buildings, Corporation Street, FY1 1AD.