PARKING bays outside Blackrod’s Post Office have protected the future of the “hub of the town’s community”, the shop’s owner has said.

Blackrod Town Council, councillors, residents and staff from the post office in New Street have spent months working with Bolton Council to create parking bays to stop people being fined for leaving their car outside.

Now motorists can park for up to 20 minutes in new bays which have replaced single yellow lines. It is hoped the changes, brought in two weeks ago, will increase trade at the post office which is regarded as a lifeline in the town.

Shahnawaz Jiva, the post office’s owner, said: “Every single customer has commented on it and I have not heard one bad thing. This post office really is the hub of the community.

“If it wasn’t here then there is nowhere to bank and also it has Blackrod’s only free ATM — the next nearest is in Adlington.”

John Price, chairman of Blackrod and Horwich Environmental Action Group, said: “Blackrod has predominantly got a population of elderly people so, without a post office, where would they draw their pensions?

“It was drastically important that we made sure the post office got some increased trade.”

A Blackrod Town Council spokesman said: “This venture will be especially beneficial to the elderly and those who have difficulty in walking the distance from more designated parking locations.

“Blackrod Town Council is always considering the needs of the local community and will endeavour to further improve facilities for both residents and visitors to Blackrod as part of drive to improve standards for all.”

Cllr Ann Cunliffe said: “It was a pleasure to park in front of the post office today and use Blackrod’s only banking facility.

“Many Blackrod residents and businesses will all benefit from these improvements.”

Other parking improvements in the town include allowing on-street parking in New Street, on Saturdays, to improve business turnover and work is still in progress creating an unofficial car park at the back of Silvester Street.