IN simple terms Blackburn with Darwen Council chiefs have stated that parking will remain on the new-look £6.5million Church Street because that is what traders in the town centre asked for.

Back in 2000, when the plans for revamping were originally put out to consultation, there were no plans for parking as part of the scheme.

But Coun Andy Kay, who is in charge of regeneration at the unitary authority, said that parking was added in late stages at the request of banks and shops which line the street.

He said: "We had to maintain vehicle access to Temple Court, which runs from the cathedral to Church Street, and so incorporating parking there was not a major problem for us."

But even reports indicating that shoppers and workers openly abuse the short-stay spaces which were designed and intended to allow people to nip into facilities such as banks have not prompted council leaders to go back on their decision.

Instead Graham Burgess, the council's executive director for regeneration, has unveiled plans to introduce pay and display car parking and on all streets in the town centre in an attempt to prevent people parking in Church Street all day. Such a move would therefore leave the spaces open to be used for their original intentions for visitors on quick trips.

It is a proposal which is supported by the town's Chamber of Trade.

Chamber president Ronnie O'Keeffe said: "We need short-stay places near to shops so people can pop in and buy things.

"At the moment, the system is being abused by people who just park there all day."

Mr O'Keeffe added: "We welcome pay and display car parking because it means a prime town centre car park space, like one on Church Street, could be used up to eight times a day rather than being hogged by a worker for the day."

The street pay and displays would be much more expensive to use than regular car parks.