Cuerden Valley Park forced to close one of its car parks temporarily due to repeat vandalism

Aerial view of Cuerden Valley Park Pic: BBC LDRS/Lancashire County Council — Aerial view of Cuerden Valley Park

A popular park close to Preston has closed one of its car parks temporarily after a surge in vandalism incidents.

Cuerden Valley Park runs across 650 acres sitting between Bamber Bridge, Chorley and Leyland. It is owned and managed by the Cuerden Park Valley Trust.

The park reportedly costs around £1,600 per day to maintain and is in part supported by income from the café at the visitor centre, tenants and car park fees.

But the park said that incidents of vandalism at one the car parks – Stag Lodge, closest in proximity to Bamber Bridge – mean that the car park is closed temporarily while the team look at ways to protect the machine. They said it is unsustainable for them to keep replacing the equipment.

A spokesperson for Cuerden Valley Park said: “Following five incidents of vandalism to the parking machine at Stag Lodge we have taken the difficult decision to close the car park temporarily while we investigate options to protect the machine. It is not sustainable for us to continue to repeatedly replace the damaged equipment.

“We appreciate this will be frustrating for some of our visitors. Income from car parking is a source of vital funds for Cuerden Valley Park Trust, without it the Charity would not be able to continue to operate and maintain the park.

“Closing the park, even temporarily is not a decision we have taken lightly.”

Car parks at Berkeley Drive, Town Brow, Wigan Road and Kem Mill remain open.

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