Why spend vast sums on car park?

Canterbury City Council is about to receive a petition containing 2,000 names expressing opposition to the proposed multi-storey car park in Station Road West.

It is to be hoped this will receive a serious response, and not be shrugged off as a campaign by a rent-a-crowd, or band of professional agitators. It has been supported by the Canterbury Society and other amenity groups, and many individuals who are opposed to it on a number of grounds, not least pollution, increasing the traffic flow and gridlock in St Dunstan’s Street, expense and whether it is really needed in view of available space; also the disfigurement of Station Road West and possible destruction of the trees. The council’s excuse that it will bring trade to the St Dunstan’s Street shops and revitalise the area ‘will not wash’, more so as it is claimed it is needed for increasing commuters to London on HS1.

Even if it can be justified it seems most extraordinary that over £9 million can be spent on such a structure without means of access or exit by means of a lift for invalids, those with luggage and shopping bags, and mothers with children. It beggars belief that such a necessary asset can have been thought unnecessary, or was it just overlooked in the haste to get the structure approved and underway?

If it is true that the leader of the council when asked about provision for mothers and children said they could use the same ramps as the cars - such a crass remark showing utter contempt for the concerns of many who are alarmed at the implications of building this structure - he should resign.

I hope the city council planning committee will think very carefully about this proposal, and at the very least postpone the decision to go ahead until its justification, in view of the parking space currently available which is never filled, is reviewed.

Has the council given up on trying to secure additional parking space in Roper Road on the north side of the station? However, even more important is the intention to spend such a vast amount of money on a totally unsatisfactory structure in the face of