New parking charges and restrictions announced for Frodsham and Helsby

NEW charges and length-of-stay restrictions are to come into force at Frodsham and Helsby on Wednesday, July 31.
Aims of the new tariffs and controls is to help to address the current imbalance caused by railway station parking in both towns by introducing a long stay charge to moderate the rail demand.
Also, it is hoped thelength of stay restrictions for on street parking will increase customer turnover to help local businesses.
The changes have been decided following consultation on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s parking strategy.
The car parks and on-street parking included are: Frodsham – Moor Lane, Frodsham Station and on-street bays on Main Street; Helsby – Station Avenue car park and the on-street bays on Chester Road.  A disabled persons’ parking place will also be introduced on Britannia Road, Helsby at its junction with Homeway.
A report on station parking produced for the council predicted that demand for commuter parking will increase significantly in Frodsham and Helsby as a result of the opening of the Halton Curve.  Parking demand is expected to increase in Frodsham by 207 per ccent and in Helsby by 245 per cent by 2026.
The council has drawn up plans for a new decked car park at Frodsham Station, subject to planning permission, which will create about 56 additional car parking spaces.  Work will continue to identify additional capacity at other sites in Frodsham and Helsby to meet future demand.
The council’s deputy leader and lead member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Cllr Karen Shore said: “These new arrangements in Frodsham and Helsby introduce the right controls in the right places to release capacity for short stay parking to boost businesses, encourage visitors and also to improve car park quality and disabled provision in these areas.
“Parking in the town will be easier and more accessible for everyone. Parking charges and other controls will ensure anyone can park where they need to, when they need to.
“The new decked car park at the station will create additional spaces and contribute the council’s priority and parking strategy’s objective of a well-connected and accessible borough that supports local businesses and residents.”
The new pay and display tariffs at Moor Lane, Frodsham and Station Avenue, Helsby are: 20p for up to two hours, 50p for two to four hours, £1 for four to six hours and £1.50 for over six hours.  The same tariffs will be introduced at Frodsham Station, which is a pay on exit car park.
The on-street length of stay restriction in Main Street in Frodsham will operate between 8am and 6pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday on the northerly side of the road, and between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday on the southerly side of the road.
During these times vehicles displaying valid residents’ parking permits may be parked for an unlimited period of time, and all other vehicles for no more than two hours, with no return within one hour.
The on-street bays in Chester Road, Helsby will operate between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday with the same time restrictions with residents’ parking permits again being exempt.
As part of the Parking Strategy for Frodsham, a public notice has been published detailing the proposed introduction of a four hour maximum stay at the Princeway car park.
The car park is joint-owned by the Council and Princeway Medical Centre.  The rear extension to the car park is currently leased to Brio Leisure for their operations in the area.
It is proposed that no charges will be introduced, but a four hour restriction will free up spaces for short stay visitors to the leisure centre, library and Medical Centre. Medical Centre, library and Brio staff will be exempt.
Consideration may be given at a later stage to make part of the Brio Leisure car park available for long stay use (for a modest charge), depending on demand for short stay parking.
Also as part of the implementation, and following the resurfacing of the bottom part of the car park, resurfacing and relining works are scheduled to begin at Frodsham Station car park on Thursday June 27 for two evenings (7pm to 5am).  This work is weather dependent.
Cllr Shore added:  These works show our commitment to invest in parking facilities and ensure they brought up to standard.
“It is anticipated that the work will cause minimal disruption as it will be carried out overnight.  Advance warning signage will be in place on site
“The two changes motorists will see are that we are reversing the flow in and around the car park and a blue badge bay will be created next to the entrance to the station platform.”
Information drop-in sessions regarding the changes to parking charges and arrangements for blue badge holders will be held in Frodsham next month.  Dates and venues will be announced soon.