HIGHWAYS experts at County Hall are backing plans to reduce the number of parking spaces in town centres.

The aim is to encourage commuters and shoppers to abandon cars in favour of public transport.

Planners and government officials are growing increasingly concerned about the environment.

And the new Labour Government recently published planning guidelines aimed at cutting back on the number of new car parks being built.

County and borough council officials have joined to work on a review of parking in Lancashire.

Business organisations, private developers and voluntary groups have been canvassed and the final version of the review document drawn up.

It recommends fixing maximum levels of parking spaces for town centres and has won backing from the majority of people.

The strategy will also be used by borough councils when they draw up long term planning policies and strategies.

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