Carnival multi-storey opens

WOKINGHAM’S brand new car park is now open. The borough mayor cut the ribbon to the eight- floor multi-storey on Tuesday and it opened for business today.

The mayor was joined by the new leader of the borough council, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, Cllr Philip Mirfin, the new deputy executive Member for Business and Economic Development and regeneration, and representatives from builders Balfour Beatty.

Before cutting the ribbon, Cllr Rob Stanton told the assembled crowd that he felt the new car park was very modern and impressive.

“This is a great credit to the town and the council and to those that built it – well done lads,” he said. “It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be here.” Cllr Stanton also added that it was important to remember that the car park was part of the town centre regeneration and that, with neighbouring towns also undertaking regeneration schemes, it was important that Wokingham should do its own, “no question”.

In his speech, Cllr Mirfin thanked Cllr Stanton for officially opening the new car park, on which work started on June 6 last year.

He also thanked Thames Valley Berkshire LEP for a £1.5m interest free loan from its Growing Places Fund in 2013 to help pay for the hi-tech car park.

“We now look forward to the completion of the next phases of our regeneration next year at Peach Place, as well as the Wokingham Town Council and Wokingham Borough Council HIghways project of regeneration of the town’s Market Place,” he added.

The new car park features disabled spaces on the ground floor and special parent and child bays on the fifth floor, where there are two lifts. Spaces are 2.5 metres wide, slightly wider than the recommended 2.3metres.

Each floor is well lit and has glass windows and doors, as well as CCTV and wide walkways to ensure safety for visitors. There is also an emergency call point for disabled user should they need assistance.

The first 15 minutes of parking are free.

The Big Apple will soon take over a ground floor unit which will house their new state-of-theart bowling alley. This is expected to launch in the autumn. Outside the car park are areas to be landscaped, but this will take place after the summer so that the plants will be able to bed in during the cooler months.

Above: the entrance to the finished Carnival Pool car park – sans greenery, which will be planted in the autumn. The bowling alley is also expected to open in the autumn Left: The artist’s impression released in 2015

The stairways are bright and spacious with CCTV fitted. Each level is colour coded and there are safe spaces for wheelchair users to call for assistance if needed

Parent and child parking bays are on level 5, where there are two lifts. Disabled bays are on the ground floor