AN area in Whitehaven town centre that is blighted by “parking chaos” is set to be converted into a pay-and-display car park.

Land at The Ginns – where dozens of Albion Square workers are said to park for free – will be immediately converted into an 80-space pay-and-display car park, says Copeland Council’s mayor Mike Starkie.

Copeland owns the land and is in the process of ordering parking meters and fencing and it is hoped the area will be a pay-zone by the start of November.

Mr Starkie said: “The Ginns has been identified as a major issue by residents and making it pay-and-display will alleviate some of the problems faced.”

The Whitehaven News also reported last week Cumbria County Council has agreed a host of on-street parking restrictions in the Preston Street/Bentinck Row area of The Ginns, including double yellow lines and permit-holder only zones.

Residents have bemoaned “parking chaos” in the area since Albion Square opened last year and have called for restrictions to be imposed.

The mayor added that the council is in the process of producing its long-term car-parking strategy and will “take on board” a suggestion from councillor and town centre businessman Charles Maudling that the car parks are ‘pay on exit’ rather the current ‘pay on arrival’ to encourage people to stay longer in the town.

However, a vacant area opposite Wetherspoons pub will not be converted into a car park by landowners Britain's Energy Coast (BEC). 

BEC had hoped to allow parking on the land temporarily while it worked on plans to develop the site - and the bus station and depot opposite which it also owns. However, the car park plans are said to be unsuitable by Cumbria County Council and have been shelved.

Steven Szostak, BEC's managing director, said: "The council have deemed the land opposite the bus station is not best suited for a temporary car park during the development of the wider bus station site. 

"The site will still be included in the long-term development plans that will benefit the town. BEC is very open to suggestions from Whitehaven residents and businesses about other temporary uses of the land. This is something I explored with local business owners at the a recent Chamber of Trade meeting. 

"In the meantime the open air art gallery will continue to be in operation and we are currently arranging the next exhibition."