A HOST of major restrictions will be introduced to help alleviate parking “chaos” in Whitehaven town centre.

Areas of Kells, Bransty, Hillcrest and Hensingham have also been targeted in Cumbria County Council’s wide-ranging parking review.

The proposals have been compiled following complaints from members of the public, the number of which have increased in the town centre since 1,000 Sellafield workers relocated to Albion Square.

The parking situation has been widely described as “chaotic” since the office complex opened its doors last October, and a recent survey revealed that would-be shoppers are being put off visiting town as a result.

Among the changes are double yellow lines on most of Preston Street and one side of George Street; disc parking on one side of Strand Street; and double yellows and disc parking in the Bentinck Row area of The Ginns. Resident/permit holder exemptions apply to the disc zones.

Resident Edith Neen called on restrictions to be imposed at The Ginns. She said: “People park their cars so we can’t park near our homes. I think there may be some sort of accident there and I’m worried emergency services would struggle to get to houses on Bentinck. We just want people to have a bit of consideration.”

And at Hillcrest, a number of the designated 10-minute waiting bays for drop-off and pick-up times for Jericho School are to be removed.

Fears have long been voiced by residents about the volume of cars in the vicinity of the school – which is located in the middle of a housing estate – and headteacher Shaun Monaghan has previously written to parents to ask them to park more considerately.

Members of Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Copeland formally agreed the measures at its meeting last week.

The following measures will be introduced in Whitehaven:

Preston Street: double yellow lines on both sides of road from the Coach Road junction to the Irish Street traffic lights (a short disc zone is excluded)

Swingpump Lane: one loading bay replaced by disc zone (outside the multi-storey)

Harbour View (Kells): sections of double yellows, residents only and ‘no waiting’ restrictions imposed

Wellington Row: section of disc parking imposed between the two sections of double yellow lines

Strand Street: disc parking to replace part of loading area (opposite Mark House)

Inkerman Terrace: short extension to double yellow lines

Lowther Street: create extra disabled space (outside Westminster Cafe)

Balmoral Road (Hillcrest): removal of some 10-minute waiting bays (for school drop-off and pick-up times)

Coach Road: short extension to double yellow lines

George Street: double yellow lines imposed on one side and a doctor’s parking bay replaced by a disabled bay

The Gardens: double yellow lines and disc parking imposed

Main Street (Hensingham): double yellow lines on parts of both sides of Main Street (from the Square to the Cartgate Road junction)

Sea View Road (Bransty): extension of double yellow lines

Bentinck Row: double yellow lines and disc parking imposed.