COUNCILLORS engaged in a heated debate about the availability of car parking spaces for Darwen shoppers.

During Blackburn with Darwen’s executive board meeting on Thursday, Cllr David Foster asked the executive board to review the decision to charge for parking at Darwen railway station and Atlas Road car parks.

The Darwen councillor said the decision to charge for parking at the two car parks has led to commuters parking at the nearest available place for free parking which is on Knott Street, a minute walk from Darwen town centre.

Cllr Foster, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “The parking spaces at Knott Street have been used by commuters in working hours during the week.

“Shoppers can no longer park there during the day and end up parking well away from the town centre or pay for parking at the railway station.”

At the meeting Cllr Phil Riley, executive member for the Regeneration portfolio, replied to Cllr Foster’s question said there was plenty of free car parking spaces in Darwen and that we was able to park on Knott Street for Darwen Food Festival.

Cllr David Foster said: “I pointed out that the railway station car park is free on Saturday not during the week."