Cut in parking spaces axed following outcry
PROPOSAL BY CONSULTANTS FOR COUNCIL DROPPED
A PROPOSAL to remove or reduce the size of a town centre car park has been scrapped after an outcry from businesses and residents.
Several options were presented to the public for a major refit of Church Walk car park, in Hinckley – to reduce the 93 spaces by 32, 50, or all bar four disabled bays.
The space was to be used as a picnic area and green space, extending Argents Mead and providing a walkway between the mead and Castle Street, in efforts to improve the pedestrian route.
Concerns were raised that losing the car park could have a major effect on footfall at shops in the town centre.
Hinckley and District Chamber of Trade organised a number of petitions calling for the car park to remain unchanged. One, signed by more than 2,500 people, was handed in to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.
Council leader Stuart Bray said: “My thanks to everyone who has taken the time to get involved in this consultation.
“It is important that everyone who lives, works, shops or trades in the town has the chance to influence any proposed improvements.
“I have always had reservations about losing any parking in this area so it is helpful to understand how important user-friendly improvements such as larger car parking spaces or increased green space are to residents and businesses.
“It is clear that the majority prefer to leave it as it is, so that’s what we will do.
“I have now asked officers to look at further options for improvements elsewhere in the town centre.
“The survival of our high street and town centre is vital to the economy so its vital people continue to be involved in shaping these proposals so we can all get this right.”
Consultants hired by the council came up with the idea to remove the car park after they were asked for options on how to spend £1.85 million secured for Hinckley High Street Heritage Action Zone.
The heritage zone money is to be spent on improving the conservation area in the town centre, by improving historical shopfronts, jitties and other architecture
Jan Kirby, chairwoman of the chamber of trade, said: “We are pleased the council has made the decision to stop the Church Walk car park proposals.
“Common sense has prevailed and we are pleased any further proposals for improvements will be put forward for consultation.
“We all want our town businesses to survive and prosper. The question needs to be asked how and why these proposals were put forward in the first place.”
John Cullinane runs Aladdin’s Cave, a New Age collectibles and gift shop that overlooks the car park, which he said is often busy in the week and is mostly full on Saturdays mornings and into the afternoon.
He was against the proposal to remove the car park but that it does need to be improved.
He said: “The layout is not good enough. You can’t reverse out and turn at the same time.
“There needs to be different types of spacing with chevron parking. That should avoid too much loss of parking.
“There should also be pay on exit. It’s constantly a complaint of shoppers – I have got to go, my ticket is about to expire.”
He said shoppers will go to other retail centres, such as Fosse Park or Nuneaton, if they cannot find parking in the town centre.