THE Longfield Centre's car park could be changed to short stay in a bid to help ease congestion in Bury New Road.

The idea was put raised from the high street consultation but is one option that may be considered as part of Prestwich's long term car parking strategy.

Labour's Jane Black, of St Mary's Ward, said a number of improvements are on the way for frustrated residents, workers and visitors battling to find somewhere to park.

The issue of parking was discussed again in detail at Monday's township forum.

Cllr Black said: "We want it to be very clear where people can park in Prestwich. Anyone who drives down the high street can see bad examples of parking all over the place. I turn left at Nat West Bank to go home and there will always be someone parked outside the cash machine.

"One of the things that came out of the consultation for Bury New Road was for the Longfield car park to be short stay. Even if it was free, visitors would take a ticket and after two hours they have to go and make way for another car."

A comprehensive car parking strategy for Prestwich was unveiled in March last year, with residents and businesses invited to ask questions at a township forum.

There, they agreed to develop a long-term parking policy, but also to make some immediate improvements, such as turning Clifton Road into short stay only.

Cllr Black said: "For about a year or so Labour councillors have initiated discussions with officers after being made aware of parking difficulties and some short term issues have since been raised and improvements have been made.

"The short stay car park in Clifton Road, for example, used to be long stay so it just ended up being a staff car park for workers and not for visitors. We are also doing a number of things to help with the flow of traffic, such as putting double yellow lines outside St Mary's park, which we are working on now."

Cllr Black confirmed that parking will be a main item at a future township forum meeting.