Free parking will be available during gasworks in Penrith town centre.
Thanks to funding from Penrith Business Improvement District, all Penrith’s council-operated pay and display car parks will be free after 3pm while the work is being carried out by Northern Gas Networks to reinforce the main gas supply on Middlegate and King Street.
The work, which will last up to eight weeks, require road closures in the town centre.
Westmorland and Furness Council held discussions with Dan Harding, vice chair of Penrith BID, about positive ways to support businesses impacted by the closures.
Penrith BID has agreed to cover the costs of making the parking free after 3pm in the council’s Penrith pay and display car parks. The free parking offer will come into effect today.
Car parks that are part of the initiative are:
- Drovers Lane
- Sandgate
- Bluebell Lane
- Princes Street
- Mansion House front and rear (weekends only)
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “We are pleased to have worked with Penrith BID and agreed this initiative, with the BID’s funding providing the free parking in these car parks after 3pm during the period of the gas works.
“The gasworks are not being undertaken by the council, however we are acutely aware of the impact these works have on local businesses and the community.
“We have also made some changes to how the local season parking permits work, meaning they are now not car park specific for the duration of the work, and the free parking funding provided by Penrith BID will provide more support for businesses during this challenging time.’’
Mr Harding said: “Penrith BID is a partnership between businesses and organisations, working together with local partner associations with the aim of improving trading conditions in the town.
“We recognise the gas works have a major impact on the footfall into Penrith town centre and want to support our businesses in any way we can.
“Working with Westmorland and Furness Council and covering the associated costs to make all council car parks free after 3pm throughout the town will hopefully encourage people to come into Penrith, despite the road closures, to do their shopping and support their local businesses.’’
