Customers at Fulwood Leisure Centre have claimed they are cancelling memberships due to parking problems

Dangerous parking at a popular Preston leisure centre has forced the council to apply to expand the car park.

Fulwood Leisure Centre has seen demand rise from keep-fit-fanatastic to record levels and cars are being parked blocking the entrance during peak early evening times.

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A planning application seeks to add 24 extra car parking spaces to meet demands at the Black Bull Lane complex.

Leisure centre users can currently use some of nearby Fulwood Academy’s car park but this will be lost in the summer when the school open their Arts and Culture club.

The report to the council states the leisure centre has been losing members who find they can’t park when trying to use the swimming pool and gym.

Officers write: “The Head of Sport and Leisure has advised that difficulties have arisen with emergency vehicles due to customers temporarily abandoning their vehicles within the site whilst using the leisure centre.

“In addition the loss of parking facilities has been cited by customers as one of the main reasons for cancelled their memberships. Lack of adequate parking not only discourages use of the Leisure Centre but encourages parking on surrounding roads.”

Councillors last approved an extension to the car park in October 2007 which created 27 extra spaces.

No objections have been received from local residents and the extra spaces are due to be approved at the planning committee on Monday 6th February at the Town Hall. View the full planning application on the council website.

Do you use Fulwood Leisure Centre? Have you had problems parking? Let us know your views in the comments below.