Shrewbridge
Road Car Park Proposal
0041/ir
07 March 2008
The Borough Council is proposing to improve
its small car park at Shrewbridge Road, near to the Airman’s
Grave. The move comes in response to the need for more long
stay parking in the town. “Nantwich is short of space for long stay
parking and we have been looking to find ways to improve on this
for some time”, said Paul Burns, Business Manager for the
Council.
“Car Parks in the centre of town need to cater
for customers and visitors needing shorter stay- to allow people a
reasonable chance of finding a space during the day.At the same
time we have to consider those town centre workers who cannot avoid
bringing a car to town, as well as the growing number of visitors.
However long stay spaces need to be outside the main centre as we
do not want central car parks filled with vehicles from early
morning until 5 or 6pm. The problem has been finding suitable
locations to use for such long stay parking. Shrewbridge Road looks
ideal as it already has some space, has unused land within its
existing boundary and is close to footpaths into the town.”
If approved, the car park would be properly
surfaced, marked up for around 50 spaces, drained and lit. It
is expected to cost approximately £50,000.
As it is also close to the sensitive riverside
area, the Council will explore use of materials and landscaping
that fit in with the surroundings.
Pay and display charging would be introduced
with an all day charge of £2 in line with current charges elsewhere
in the town. There would also be a special 90 minute stay charge of
10p only seven days per week to cater for local recreational users
of the riverside. On Sundays only, the all day charge would be 50p
as elsewhere in the Borough.
Cllr John Hammond, Portfolio Holder for the
Local Environment, said: “The Council would like to provide
sufficient long stay parking for Nantwich without congesting
central car parks so that businesses suffer through customers’
inability to find shorter stay parking nearby. Locations such as
Shrewbridge Road should help to alleviate that pressure on the
central area.”
“The Council would like to see as many people
as possible change their habits and use alternative means of
transport to the car when coming into town. We recognise however
that many people have no choice but to use a car to come to work
and so out of town sites such as this, with easy access to the
town, are ideal”, he continued.
ENDS
For Media enquiries
contact:
Ian Richardson - 01270 537018
news.views@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk