Key Points:
- · Bolton Council released parking enforcement figures and financial data for 2024-25.
- · The council reported issuing multiple Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and enforcement visits.
- · Consultation with residents showed prioritisation of road and pavement maintenance.
- · A budget gap of £25 million challenges Bolton Council's funding decisions.
- · Proposals include introducing pay & display charges across council car parks and enforcing a three-hour maximum stay.
- · The council is considering using Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds for traffic safety improvements.
- · Public concerns voiced by school pupils highlight illegal parking and road safety near Bolton-le-Sands Primary School.
- · The council is committed to promoting safe access and ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.
What Are the Latest Parking Figures Revealed by Bolton Council?
Bolton Council has disclosed its parking enforcement data and financial operations for the fiscal year 2024-25. According to the council's official Parking Services Annual Report, enforcement officers conducted 19 visits between September 2023 and March 2024, resulting in 15 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued for breaches such as parking on double yellow lines. A further five visits post-March 2024 brought about three additional PCNs alongside warnings to drivers, reflecting the council's sustained effort to enforce parking regulations.
How Has Bolton Council Responded to Resident Consultation on Parking?
A public consultation ran from December 2024 to January 2025, seeking residents' views on budget proposals affecting parking. Participation included 898 stakeholders, with significant contributions from residents in the west of Bolton. The majority prioritised road and pavement upkeep as essential, ranking it as a top concern by 50% of respondents. Contrarily, only 3% flagged climate ambitions like the net-zero carbon goals as priorities in this context.
The council is exploring measures such as the introduction of pay & display charges in all council-owned car parks, combined with enforced time limits, specifically recommending a three-hour maximum stay to improve parking availability and turnover. These proposals aim to bridge the £25 million budget shortfall estimated for 2025-27.
What Budgetary Challenges Does Bolton Council Face Concerning Parking?
Facing a £25 million budget gap in its 2025-27 financial plan, Bolton Council is examining multiple revenue streams. Introducing charges across council-owned car parks is projected to generate approximately £20,000 annually. Additionally, there are considerations over other fees and charges, including trade waste collection and increased trader stall rents at Bolton Market.
Council tax increases remain tightly regulated, with up to a 5% rise permitted under government regulation, part of which includes levies supporting general services and adult social care. Residents in specific boroughs like Blackrod, Horwich, and Westhoughton pay an additional Parish Levy for town council funding.
What Are the Parking and Safety Concerns Near Bolton-Le-Sands Primary School?
As reported by Councillor Robert Taylor of Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council, traffic and parking safety issues near Bolton-le-Sands Primary School have garnered community attention. In a detailed April 2025 report, the council highlighted illegal parking on double yellow lines, vehicles mounting pavements, excessive vehicle speeds, and pollution from engine idling as chief concerns raised by Year 5 and 6 pupils.
While Lancashire County Council's Highways team confirmed no formal road safety investigations beyond collision data were recorded, enforcement activity resulted in 18 PCNs between September 2023 and March 2024 in the area. Discussions on physical interventions like kerbed footways, one-way systems, or speed humps were discounted due to potential impacts on accessibility and community use.
How Is Bolton Council Addressing Community Safety and Parking Enforcement?
The council’s Parking Services continue proactive enforcement with the goals of improving compliance and road safety. Alongside issuing PCNs, efforts include education and engagement through schools, such as the ‘WOW’ Walk to School Challenge encouraging active travel.
Bolton Council remains engaged with residents and local bodies, encouraging public reporting of collisions and infractions, which are critical data points for funding allocation and safety assessments. The council is also exploring external funding approaches, including potential Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions, to finance future highway improvements and parking facility enhancements.
What Does the Future Hold for Parking Management in Bolton?
Bolton Council is focused on balancing financial imperatives with community needs for safe, accessible parking. Continued consultation and collaborative efforts with local schools, residents, and police aim to promote safer travel to school and improved parking conditions.
The council has committed to transparent dialogue about proposed enforcement changes and potential infrastructure improvements. These strategies reflect a broader ambition to ensure the borough’s roads and pavements are well maintained and that parking restrictions support community safety and convenience.