‘Night closure needed’ at Bradgate car park
BRADGATE Park has been forced to introduce security measures at one of its car parks after a rise in anti-social behaviour.
The park trust said problems, including vandalism, littering and drug-taking, have risen “dramatically” in its car parks.
Incidents had previously been reported at Swithland Wood and Hunts Hill car parks, forcing them to be closed overnight.
The trust said problems have now started at the Hallgates entrance.
A spokesman said: “We increasingly have cars staying in the night; lights on, damage to infrastructure, loud music, waste left behind including undesirable items for our team to clear, with evidence of illegal substances.
“On one day this week, for example, we have had a large amount of fast-food and drink litter, plus tyre marks that show cars have been doing donut spins.
“The changes at Hallgates proposed include ultimately making the two sides of the car park one-way flows, with entrance through a gate secured at dusk and exit via crocodile teeth.
“This is similar physical security work to all other car parks.
All the affected car parks will be secured from dusk to 7am.
The spokesman said: “Initial work at Hallgates is proposed for the next two months, with the ungated side secured first and, later in the year, the second side having crocodile teeth added.”
The spokesman said “genuine visitors” have not been impacted by the changes.
The park is officially open for visits from 7.45am until dusk, with full permitted lawful access along public rights of way that cross the site at all times.
The park said staff were committed to trying get the newly gated car parks open for 7am.
Enormously heavy cutters were shown, which are necessary for cutting into cars at accidents.
They are often being called out to the local Watery Gate to rescue cars stuck in the water, which is a misuse of their resources.
They then asked for a volunteer to try on the suits, to which one brave lady obliged. She struggled on with the trousers, amid amusing comments, and needed a smiling fireman on each arm to balance when putting on the boots, making everyone laugh.
Three new visitors attended the meeting, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The next meeting is on Monday February 3rd in the Pelican Centre at 7.30pm with Sue Drage on Recycling with a difference.
For more details contact Bridgette on 07890641799 or Vicky on 07786967391.