Councillors in Barnoldswick are thinking about reintroducing disc parking at a popular town centre car park.

Members of West Craven Area Committee debated the scheme for the Wellhouse Road car park, adjacent to the Co-op.

Disc parking – which is used in other parts of Pendle borough – is not a new concept for Barnoldswick.

It was introduced in Barnoldswick town centre in 2004 and proved deeply unpopular with shoppers and traders alike, attracting a 1,200-signature petition of objection.

The scheme was withdrawn the following year.

“We need to celebrate the fact that we have free parking in Barnoldswick,” said committee chairman, Coun David Whipp (Lib Dem). “If you go to Skipton or Clitheroe, you can pay a fortune for parking.”

Coun Whipp said the town centre car park was congested even though there had been an increase of six to eight spaces after the recycling bins were moved to the Rainhall Road car park, “People can’t find a place to park on that car park,” said Coun Whipp. “Disc parking is something we should look at.”

Coun Jennifer Purcell (Cons) said: “People keep moaning about the shopkeepers using that car park. They should park in other car parks to free up the spaces for people that come into town. We have to tell them or we’ll go back to disc parking all over again.”

But Barry Matthews, chairman of the Barnoldswick and West Craven Chamber of Trade, said he did not believe car parking was a serious problem in Barnoldswick.

“Disc parking was brought in when there were car parking problems, but only once in the last ten years have I not been able to park in the Wellhouse Road car park.

“If there was a signpost to the Rainhall Road car park, then maybe more people would use it.”

The committee agreed to carry out a consultation on disc parking, which would include car park users and members of the chamber of trade.