Octagon car park Bolton faults led to queuing motorists

Motorists attempting to get into the Octagon car park on Great Moor Street were left waiting on the road until help arrived.

Some drivers decided they couldn’t wait and turned around.

A loss of power meant one of the shutters could not open and Town Hall chiefs say that steps are in place to rectify this.

There are two entrances into the car park, which is used by shoppers and town centre workers as well as visitors to Bolton town centre.

Cars outside the Octagon car park (Image: NQ)

In addition there was a ticket jam on the other entry point, where the shutter did work.

It is understood that there are no delays in accessing the car park currently.

The car park shutters were introduced a few years ago as part of security measures a

Shutters were installed at both the entrance and exit barriers, while scanners have also been put in place outside the pedestrian entrances, meaning people need to scan their ticket to be allowed access.

The Octagon car park is one of a number of multi-storey car parks in the town centre which are still managed by NCP, despite the fact the he car parking giant announced back in March that it was going into administration, putting the car parks it runs across the country at risk.

A council spokesperson said earlier this year: “We continue to work with the appointed administrators at PwC to ensure that NCP assets remain fully operational.

“In Bolton, this includes town centre multi-storey car parks, surface level car parks and CCTV networks, all of which are operating as normal.

“Negotiations between administrators and stakeholders can be a lengthy process but in the meantime residents, commuters and visitors to Bolton will notice no difference when parking in the town centre.

“The council will keep residents and businesses informed throughout this process and will provide full updates if there is any change to NCP car parks in Bolton.”