RESIDENTS have until this Friday (January 9) to get their views in to the borough council about proposed changes to parking in Neston town centre.

A council spokeswoman said: “Consultation has been taking place about proposals to ensure sufficient parking spaces are available for shoppers in Neston town centre.

“We have invited comments on plans to restrict Neston’s Chester Road car park to a maximum three-hour stay to make it easier for shoppers to park near Neston’s main shopping street.

“Extra provision for people who work or live in the town centre and need to park all day will be provided at the British Legion and Neston Library car parks under the proposals.”

The proposals, which are based on advice received from independent parking consultants, are:

- Chester Road car park:

Monday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm

Maximum stay of three hours. No return within one hour

- British Legion car park:

Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm

No limit to the length of stay. No parking after 6pm without a parking permit issued by the British Legion.

- Neston Library car park:

Monday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm. No limit to length of stay.

Jane Williamson, the council’s head of property and support services, said: “It is very important to us that, during the redevelopment of the town centre in Neston, shoppers do not experience difficulty parking.

“There are no plans to introduce charges for parking in Neston.

“The proposals are aimed at responding to the wishes of businesses by ensuring shoppers can park near to the town centre and to provide alternative long stay areas where people who work in the town can park.

“After the development it will be the role of the new Cheshire West & Chester authority to decide the future rules for car parking.”

She added: “We put notices up in the town centre on December 18 making people aware of the proposals and inviting comments.

“This ensured people visiting the market on December 19 saw them, as well as catching shoppers in the run-up to Christmas.”

Comments on the proposed orders can be submitted until Friday to: Head of Property Support Services, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council, Council Offices, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 0BE or by email to Margaret.morris@epnbc.gov.uk