Lancaster city centre draft car parking strategy
Car Parking in Lancaster
A draft parking strategy and action plan to ensure there remains a well-managed supply of public car parking facilities for Lancaster City Centre was approved for consultation at a meeting of Lancaster City Council’s Cabinet (Thursday, March 7 2024).
The strategy aims to provide reassurance to both businesses and community stakeholders that the council can provide sufficient parking spaces whilst maintaining its overarching commitment to climate action and delivering other priorities such as new homes for local people.
Through its declared Climate Emergency, the council also recognises the need to support the transitioning to an accessible and inclusive low-carbon and active transport system, promoting cycling, walking and increased use of public transport.
The strategy aims to strike a balance in future provision so that:
- Car parks are in the right place, reducing need for vehicle circulation through and around the city centre.
- Sufficient parking options are available to service the needs of the evening and cultural economy.
- The Offer is of a good quality, safe and attractive to customers.
- Blue badge holders and those with greater accessibility needs are provided for.
- Future sustainable transport strategy and development proposals recognise the continuing and necessary role of car parking availability for the city centre.
- The permanent car park offer is fit for the future; particularly for the use of electric vehicles and better accommodates alternative transport modes (cycle parking/car share hubs) and active/low emission travel amenity.
Draft Strategy and Action Plan
In all actions, it will be essential that the city council works closely with Lancashire County Council as the highways and transport authority to explicitly integrate the long-term planning, placement, and types of parking facilities into the sustainable travel and transport policy agenda for the city.
Responding to the consultation - closed 17 June 2024
The results from the consultation will be presented to elected councillors to help make informed decisions for the Lancaster City Centre Car Parking Strategy.
Resources
- Local Government Association - Travel, Parking and Access toolkit
- Department for Transport: Active travel: local authority toolkit
Last updated: 18 June 2024