A PROPOSAL to close or restrict the use of March lorry park took a step forward on Monday, when town councillors agreed that all parking arrangements in the town should be reviewed.

Fenland District Council is being asked to consider whether lorries should only use the City Road site at night, so freeing up more car parking spaces for shoppers in the day time.

Last week the Mayor of March, Councillor Jan French, backed a move to close the lorry park, saying it was “past its sell by date” and called for a parking review. She said: “We want to encourage people to shop in the town, and now I believe is the time that lorries are gone.”

March Town Council clerk Clive Lemmon said: “We have written to Fenland District Council, asking them to consult on the feasibility of restricting lorry car parking hours, and to look at the overall car parking strategy, taking into account the probable loss of the Darthill Road car park at the end of the year.”

He said an email received from Fenland District Council leader Councillor Alan Melton - currently on holiday - has already said he “welcomes and supports” the move and will deal with the matter on his return.

Clerk Mr Lemmon added: “There are hundreds of different options that could be looked at. We had a long discussion about parking at Monday’s meting, it is quite difficult to come to an agreement at one meeting. March is the only town in Fenland with a dedicated lorry park.”

Parking spaces in Darthill Road, currently leased to Fenland District Council by the Blackwell family, are due to be lost at the end of the year.

“Losing these spaces could impact on the viability of the town, it will mean less car parking spaces when there are more cars,” added Mr Lemmon