DRIVERS will have to pay to park on the streets of Bury town centre.

Development chiefs have given the green light to plans to install pay and display machines on roads throughout the area.

They hope the move, which creates 55 extra spaces, will improve access and lessen traffic congestion.

Fees should range from 20p for 30 minutes to £1 for two hours, although a definite tariff list will not be drawn up until after consultation with traders.

Coun Julie Higson, chairman of the development services committee, said: "This is the logical step in financial and policy terms. As with the introduction of a charging policy on our town centre car parks, we believe that on-street parking charges in the town centre will be beneficial.

"It will encourage people not to leave their vehicles for long periods and allow individuals calling at banks, shops or for business to quickly find short stay parking close to where they want to go.

"These changes, which are commonplace everywhere else in Greater Manchester and the north west, will also help us to provide more spaces in the town centre."

The streets included in the pay and display scheme are: Bank Street, Bolton Street, Broad Street, Butcher Lane, Chapel Street, Glenmore Street, Haymarket Street, Back Haymarket Street, Knowsley Street, Manchester Road, Market Place, Market Street, Moss Street, Parson's Lane, Silver Street, St Mary's Place, The Rock, The Wylde and Tithebarn Street.

The scheme will cost £200,000 to get going but should generate around £100,000 a year profit.

Officers will now consult with local businesses about the exact scale of charges before bringing the plans before the traffic and engineering sub-committee.

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