CONTROVERSIAL plans to charge up to £1 an hour for parking in Blackpool town centre have been scrapped following a meeting by Blackpool Borough Council.

Plans to introduce pay and display meters were originally proposed to combat the increasing parking problems.

But various bodies poured scorn on the plans saying it would devastate trade and business in the town centre.

And after a meeting at the town hall on Wednesday (June 21) Councillor Roy Fisher, executive member for urban issues, said the idea had been scrapped due to overwhelming opposition.

He said: "We have proved we are a listening council and are not going ahead with the proposed car parking charges. "More than 200 letters of objection from residents both in and out of Blackpool as well as town centre traders were taken into account and we made our decision according to these."

Pressure group Friends of Blackpool were up in arms about the proposed charges and had arranged a special meeting for Thursday (June 22) to make their protest known.

Group member Stephen Black said: "This is great! A lot of time and energy was spent on our protest about the plans and we are pleased with the decision."

However, he went on to say: "We are not out of the water yet though and have a lot of hard work to do to still to save the town centre."

The Conservative view of the news was one of delight. Speaking after the meeting Coun Peter Callow said he had opposed the plans all the way and said: "I welcome this U-turn. It is a victory for residents and a tremendous victory for Friends of Blackpool, but most of all it is a victory for Blackpool town centre."

Coun Roy Fisher said instead of introducing pay and display charges, the council are considering other measures to solve the problem of parking in the town centre.

"One such idea is to take on the responsibility for issuing parking tickets for illegal parking, therefore the revenue would go to council instead of the home office."