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April 1966

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Charges for the use of the multi-storey car park to be built by the Corporation in Millgate have been approved in principle by the Finance Committee. The charges were decided after inquiries had been made in other towns. In some other towns a flat rate of two shillings is charged but in the multi-storey car parks in Preston and Blackpool a sliding scale is adopted. This is to encourage the short-stay parker. The sliding scale principle has been accepted for Wigan. Present intentions are by no means finalized but the scale of charge could start at sixpence for the first two hours and 1s. 6d. for two to four hours stay, rising to 5s. 0d. or 6s. 0d. for all day. As the multi-storey car park is a new venture for Wigan, a slow start is being recommended in the matter of charges. The annual running costs of the car park depend on the opening hours, the system of control and the labour force, it is pointed out to the Finance Committee. These factors have yet to be decided but experience of other local authorities points to the fact that the car park should be open on six days a week from 8 a.m. to 11-30 p.m. with provision for overnight parking at a special charge. Preston's car park is left open for free parking during the night and on Sundays but locally the feeling is that this invokes difficulties such as vandalism. A labour force of between four and six attendants is envisaged. They would be employed on the shift system. Four attendants, it is thought, will be sufficient at first, increased by two or more at a later date. The car park will be built in two phases. The ultimate intention is to provide car parking for 522 cars. Space for 306 cars will be provided in the first building phase. A public house will be incorporated in the car park. |
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