VISITORS going to Towneley Hall will have to pay to park as part of an initiative to reduce congestion.

The 50p hourly rate charge introduced on Monday will only apply to the car park outside Towneley Hall and not the other car parks in the park.

Long standing problems at the park such as illegally parked vehicles blocking access for visitors and nearby residents as well as safety concerns have prompted the council, which runs and manages Towneley Hall and Park, to introduce the charges.

Disabled drivers will be able to park for free for the first three hours and the charge will only apply between 10am and 5pm.

Annual parking permits will be on sale priced £40 (£20 for recreation passport holders) from Towneley Hall shop and the park's golf shop.

Parking will remain free for fee-paying sports users who will be issued with permits. Revenue generated from the charges will be used to improve traffic monitoring and enforceme-nt on the site, including the provision of a dedicated park ranger for Towneley.

It will also be used toward the maintenance of the ongoing Heritage Lottery Fund's restoration improv-ements at the site.

The council's executive member for leisure, Roger Frost, said: "We have had concerns for some time regarding the safety and access issues caused by some motorists abusing the parking facilities at Towneley.

Not only does this create problems for visitors but also for nearby residents who cannot access their own homes, and emergency vehicles needing to get on to the site quickly.

"By introducing the charges we hope to not only manage effective enforcem-ent action against those who do abuse the parking system but also provide a safer, more accessible environment for everyone at Towneley. Introducing a dedicated park ranger for the site is one way of achieving this and we are confident visitors will soon notice a positive difference."

In May the council introduced a free shuttle bus service between Towne-ley and Burnley bus station.

From April vehicles which are not parked in the parking bays correctly have received a £60 ticket.