Parking 

Bolton town centre is currently the subject of emerging development proposals which are aimed at ensuring Bolton is an attractive place to live, visit and work. The council and other stakeholders are committed to developing a ‘Town Centre Action Framework’ which sets a context for decision making in the future in respect of the town centre. Within this framework the importance of a good, efficient and accessible transport network for all modes of travel is recognised. In view of this, the council has adopted a car parking strategy which looks to meet the key aims and objectives:

• Enhance pedestrian routes and environment within the town centre and between the centre and key arrival points;
• Reduce the amount of land taken by surface level parking and identify sites at the edge of the town centre for potential multi-storey car parks which have good links with the outer highway box;
• Manage car parking and associated traffic flows through parking charges and civil parking enforcement as well as improved signing to car parks;
• Improve the integration of public transport facilities and enhance bus access in and around the town centre; and Provide better access facilities for people with limited mobility.

Parking Services responsibilities sit firmly within the strategy. The roles and responsibilities of the service can be summarised as follows:

• Promotion of a safe and effective transport system in Bolton through Civil Parking Enforcement;
• Developing and Improving car parks in accordance with Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
• Supporting the delivery of the council’s Transport, Economic and Town Centre strategies;
• Delivering services to people with disabilities by ensuring conformity with the Disability Discrimination Act, enforcement of abuse/misuse of Blue Badges and enhanced facilities within car parks;
• Implementation of various aspects of the Traffic Management Act 2004 e.g. bus lane enforcement;
• Supporting the vitality and viability of district town centres in the borough by improving parking facilities and the availability of parking