A LOSTOCK Hall man, who fears motorists will use his street as a car park, is planning to start a petition over council plans to introduce charges on local car parks.

Stephen Fisher, of Hoghton Terrace, fears new charges earmarked for a car park at the back of Hope Terrace will drive long-stay parkers onto his street, off Watkin Lane.

It comes as South Ribble Borough Council voted unanimously last month to support proposals for pay and display charges on that car park and five others in Leyland.

The move is designed to discourage long-stay parkers from clogging up car parks for shoppers.

But Mr Fisher, 45, believes the plans will create havoc for residents.

"Parking on my road is bad enough already," he said. "A lot of people who commute to Preston park on Hope Terrace car park because it is free.

"Now I think they will choose to park on the street where they will escape the charges."

Mr Fisher, who has lived in Lostock Hall for more than 35 years, said his daughter Kerry has difficulty finding somewhere to park on their street.

He added: "Car parking in Lostock Hall has gradually got worse. We need resident permits to be able to stop commuters parking outside our homes. No one in the community is happy and something has to be done."

Councillor Tony Pimblett, portfolio holder for streetscene, said: "We are in a Catch 22 situation. We realise there could possibly be some problems but until we have actually started the process we don't know what these are going to be."

The council's steering group is now preparing a report looking at how much it will coast to monitor and manage two new car parks before a final decision is made.