TRADERS in a Leyland village are calling for lay-bys to be created in front of their shops in a bid to encourage more passing trade.

Traders in Stanifield Lane, Farington, have been asking for lay-bys to be installed since 1981, but have been told by council officials it will cost about £400,000 to implement, because all utility pipes would have to be moved.

But without the bays traders such as Marlene Almond, who runs a shoe shop in the street, say they will continue to miss out on passing trade.

Visitors to Marlene's shop risk parking on double yellow lines.

Marlene said: "Passing trade is non-existent here. There is nowhere for people to park so if people want to shop here they have to make a real effort.

"We bought this shop more than 15 years ago and part of the reason why we opened up here is because we thought the lay-bys were going to be installed.

"When we were told we would have to foot the cost we laughed. There is no way a small group of little shops can afford that."

She added: "Some of my customers park outside the shop, buy what they want and come out to find they have been booked. There is no give or take."

Nearby newsagent Alan Tugwell added: "There is nowhere in Farington to park. Other areas have lay-bys for small clusters of shops so I don't see why we can't."

Local councillor Mark Alcock added: "The council needs to look up here, address the problem and ensure that these community shops can survive."

Rachel Crompton, South Ribble's highways manager, said: "To install the lay-bys would cost little except for the fact all the utility pipes and cables would have to be moved, which would cost hundreds of thousands.

"We try to keep these items under footpaths because they aren't damaged by traffic."

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