NEW parking restrictions in the centre of Darwen will prevent the revival of local shops as lockdown eases, claim the town’s two Liberal Democrat councillors.

This week saw the closure of bays on Market Street and Duckworth Street to create new pedestrian walkways with ‘keep apart’ signage.

Darwen East’s Cllr Paul Browne and Cllr Roy Davies believe removing parking spaces, especially disabled one, will deter shoppers from coming back to the town centre.

They are also concerned that the public toilets in the market hall remain closed.

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s growth boss, has branded the two Lib Dems as ‘irresponsible’ for undermining measure needed to keep shoppers safe from coronavirus.

He said there were disabled parking bays on nearby Wellington Road and opposite the Bridgewater. Car parks on Duckworth Street and Varley Street remain open.

Cllr Riley said the market toilets were too small for safe socially-distanced use but the disabled toilet remained available with portable ones on the Market Square.

Cllr Browne said: “These parking restrictions on Market Street and Duckworth Street are ridiculous.

“They will kill any revival of shopping. People, especially elderly ones, need to be able to park near the shops. We are not being irresponsible. The council must strike a balance and they’ve got it wrong.”

Cllr Davies said: “They need to change these parking restrictions and open the toilets or people will not shop in Darwen.”

Cllr Riley said: “I am astonished at the irresponsibility of these two in trying to undermine changes brought in to increase the safety of shoppers, many of whom will be making their first trip into the town centre for three months.

"If we want those people to return, it is vital they feel safe as they move around and helping with social distancing is one of the chief ways of making people feel safe.”