PAY and display parking bays around St Peter Street in Blackburn are to be scrapped and replaced with free parking zones.

Council bosses say the ticket machines in the area need to be replaced but changing pay and display bays to free parking with three hours limited waiting will save having to fork out.

The restrictions are to be introduced in Chapel Street, Clayton Street, Freckleton Street, Heaton Street and St Peter Street.

And loading bays will be introduced in Darwen Street, Mincing Lane, Higher Church Street, Astley Gate and St Peter Street.

Borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley has approved a traffic regulation order, which will be reviewed after six months – during which time people can raise objections or recommendations.

Cllr Riley said: “To improve the parking offer for businesses within the St Peter Street area, it is proposed to change a number of pay and display bays to three hours limited waiting.

“The ticket machines in this area are outdated and this proposal will avoid the cost of replacing them. It is proposed to introduce a restricted parking zone as part of this order.

“This proposed order also seeks to introduce two bays for loading/unloading only. These bays will benefit businesses.”

Some pay and display bays will remain in Darwen Street and Mincing Lane with a maximum stay of one hour and no return within two hours.

Cllr Riley added the cost of implementing the traffic regulation order would be about £8,000, to be met from the local transport plan budget.

“No risks arising from this proposal have been identified,” he said.

“The proposal is of benefit to the social and economic well being of the borough.”

Last year, council bosses came under fire after Sunday parking charges were introduced in Blackburn town centre.

The fees of £1 for up to three hours and £2 for more than three hours will apply for both on and off-street parking.

And a general rise in parking charges will add 20p to each band for on-street meter parking and for parking on the council’s off-street car parks.

The new charges took effect from Monday, October 1.

Council bosses hope the new charges will raise £45,000 annually.