Preston Bus Station is now operated and owned by Lancashire County Council Pic: Paul Melling

A shake-up to parking in Preston’s largest car park is being proposed.

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Preston Bus Station, now operated by Lancashire County Council, is likely to see new pay and display machines, new charges and the option to pay online or via your mobile phone.

A banding system for parking is to see the cost rise for those who previously paid for an hour or three hours parking, but reduce for those who parked up for two or four hours.

The number of pay and display machines would be reduced if the mobile payment option came in, as the council looks to replace the current dilapidated machines at a cost of £35,000.

The county council has published a report detailing the changes it wants to make from April this year.

Are charges going up?

The new parking bands would make it £1.60 for up to two hours (previously an hour was £1.20), £3.30 for two to four hours and the price for up to 12 hours (£4) and 24 hours (£6) remains the same.

Could the Bus Station become a pay-on-foot car park?

The building itself restricts the installation of barriers over the entrances and exits.

Paying for parking through your phone

Council officers say they are looking at offering a pay by phone option.

If paying by phone you would incur an additional 20p charge, as well as a 10p charge for a confirmation text if needed and 10p for a reminder text if required.

Is there a change for permit holders?

The cost of buying a 10 strip multi-use card is to increase, rising from £2.50 per session to £3.30 per session.

Staff at the Department of Work and Pensions, HMRC and the CPS can buy the multi-use cards along with quarterly permits which are to remain fixed at £180.

A new annual permit is also being introduced at a cost of £670.00.

What about blue badge holders?

A new three hours time limit for those with blue badges is being introduced, as it is across all Preston City Council car parks.

The number of designated disabled bays is to be increased from 16 to 25 at the Bus Station.

The above proposals have been approved by county councillor for transport John Fillis and are accepted if no county councillor chooses to call-in the plans by the end of Monday 8 February.

What do you think of the car parking changes? Do you use the Bus Station car park? Let us know in the comments below