Multi-storey looks ‘cheap and ugly’

Car park design ‘makes bad first impresion’

Critics of Canterbury’s newly-built £9.1 million car park say its “shoddy” architecture looks as “cheap as chips”.

The Station Road West multi-storey - which is clad in wooden panels - has attracted controversy since it was devised by the city council.

But now, less than a month until it opens, opponents have hit out at the quality of wood used in its construction. Labour councillor Dave Wilson is bitterly disappointed by the finished product for the 370space car park.

“It’s a shockingly awful eyesore with zero redeeming features,” he said.

“The shoddy wooden cladding they have stuck on isn’t painted or varnished - it’s just cheap, bad and ugly.

“This is an entrance into the city for people coming off the train, so you’d want to make a good impression.

“But this looks like we don’t care - it’s a cheap-as-chips approach to construction and I think it’s a really serious issue. “Grime off surrounding trees will soon take over the woodwork. How often will it have to be replaced over the next 25 years?”

Cllr Mike Sole (Lib Dem) refers to the cladding as “timber batons”, while Cllr Alan Baldock (Lab) says the car park resembles a garden shed. The multi-storey, which the council says is a “vital piece of transport infrastructure for the city”, is due to open at the start of next month.

The Conservative-led council says the wood will not need to be treated until three decades down the line. Authority spokesman Rob Davies said: “As we’ve said on a number of occasions, we’re well aware the new multi-storey car park has divided public opinion. “There can’t be too many things left to criticise now, although in fairness the cladding is a new one on us. “But by way of clarification, it has been pressure treated and will not require further treatment for about 30 years.” Last month, Station Road West resident Carole Zepler branded the car park “the ugliest building in Canterbury” and said she fears it has wiped thousands off the value of her house.

■ What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk.

The new multi-storey car park in Station Road West is clad in wooden panels