Bolton Council is proposing a parking scheme that is likely to deliver what can only be seen as a lethal blow to local businesses in Horwich as well as to those who shop locally in the village. The proposed scheme would include the painting of double yellow lines on our side streets and a maximum stay of 3 hours on our car parks, with a £ 70.00 fine for those who overstay the limit. Is this not just the pre-curser to also bringing in parking charges? The Council's proposal in Horwich is pure madness at this time and spells financial suicide for local traders already finding it difficult to keep going in the current financial climate. It is not surprising that fewer and fewer people shop in Bolton Town Centre, with empty shops and businesses closing down everywhere due to the economy, compounded by cripplingly high car parking charges. Now the Local Authority seem to want to consign our village to the same fate and leave us with impossible parking restrictions and ultimately empty shuttered properties. One thing that does bring shoppers to Horwich is the fact that our parking is free and plentiful, if Bolton Council get their way, this would no longer be the case. Please sign our petition and help us put pressure on Bolton Council. We are having an open area forum meeting on Tuesday Nov 6th at St Johns Methodist Church, Victoria Rd, Horwich. The doors will open at 6.30 pm for a 7 pm start. Please come along and voice your opinion.