WORKERS in Winckley Square are angry with Preston Council chiefs over plans to introduce car parking charges on nearby streets.

The new proposals will include Winckley Square, Starkie Street, Garden Street, Mount Street, Charnley Street, St Wilfrid Street, Fox Street and Avenham Street.

Currently, many of these areas enjoy a one-hour waiting time, and are used by local employers who work in nearby offices and business centres.

But now, as the council seeks views from local businesses and residents, many workers are left scratching their heads over where to park for free or cheaply during the day.

Paul Ainscough, 45, from Wigan, said: "Something needs to be done -- parking in the town centre is a complete nightmare.

"Sometimes it takes me about half-an-hour to find somewhere to park which makes me late for work. But I'm sure parking charges are not the answer."

Sales representative, Mandy Collins, 28, added: "Due to the nature of my job I'm out and about all day. I'll be really stuck if they introduce parking charges. It's not going to be worth coming to work."

Harold Heys, from Darwen, said: "It took me half-an-hour on Monday morning to get from the end of the M65 to Winckley Square. And then I had to park in somewhere that looked like an extension to Alcatraz.

"I'd no idea how long I'd be on business in town so I paid up £3.50. As it was I could have got away with less than two quid. It costs time and money coming to Preston. I'll stay clear in future. Perhaps the council would be happy if no one ever came to the town on business." Council bosses say the new plans are designed to improve the town's traffic flow, ease congestion and tackle pollution as well as to raise cash for traffic-calming measures.

If accepted, the proposed charges would be 40-pence per half-hour stay and 80-pence per hour -- with the scheme operating daily between 8am and 6pm. Any payments would be made via pay-and-display machines.

Councillor Andy Campbell, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, urged people to give their views on the proposed scheme.

He said: "I know that not every one will agree with paying for on-street parking. However, it's about striking a balance of being reasonable while reminding people that driving a car has a real cost in terms of damaging the environment.

"All views will be carefully considered before any final decision is made."

You can comment on the scheme by writing to Mrs C J Elwood, Director of Corporate Services, Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, before Thursday, November 30.