Drivers rather be fined than find spaces - council

Image source, LDRS

Image caption, Many tourists travel to the seaside resort by car
  • Author, Shelagh Parkinson
  • Role, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A council that brought in 拢1m in parking fines last year said some people would rather get fined than find a legal place to park.

Blackpool has more than 20 million visitors a year, with many tourists travelling to the resort by car.

Councillor Graham Baker told a council meeting the fines total showed there was a shortage of car parks.

But council leader Lynn Williams said some people chose to park where they should not.

She added: "Blackpool has been busy, but it isn鈥檛 always the case that people can鈥檛 park legally.

"They choose to park illegally and pay the fine," she added.

A 1,306-space multi-story car park is due to open by Easter on the site of the Central Car Park.

Planning permission was granted last year for a 700-space car park on the site of the former Syndicate nightclub on Church Street.