There must be some way into here!
TOO MUCH CONFUSION – CAN DRIVERS GET SOME RELIEF?
HOW do I get into the Broad Marsh car park? Fail to correctly answer this question and it could land you with a hefty fine.
Nottingham’s new city centre car park opened at the beginning of November and – even for people who have lived and worked in the city for many years – it would not be unfair to say the route to get inside is somewhat confusing.
Things have changed dramatically during the last year as part of ongoing work to transform the southern gateway into the city.
This work has included pedestrianising a vast area around Canal Street and Collin Street, where the new car park and bus station is located.
There are hopes to one day give the wider Broad Marsh area a complete makeover, with previous plans for an improved Broadmarsh Shopping Centre now a thing of the past following former centre operator Intu’s collapse into administration.
A new proposal from worldrenowned urban designer Thomas Heatherwick would create a new area called Lister Square, featuring an oak tree from Sherwood Forest.
This “green heart” would be complemented by a new structure called The Frame, where the skeleton of the former Broadmarsh Centre would be reused, as 750 new homes and a brand new entrance to the city’s caves would be built.
For now, however, the snazzy car park sits next to the rubble, while demolition continues on the centre and funding is secured to complete the ambitious project.
Because of these plans the previous route from Maid Marian Way, Greyfriar Gate, along Canal Street and on to the London Road roundabout no longer exists, and travelling through this area will incur a £60 fine.
This is because a new “bus gate” has been installed, meaning that only buses and permitted vehicles can pass through the Carrington Street/canal Street junction.
Thousands of people have already been caught out, with some even winning a tribunal victory in a dispute with Nottingham City Council.
The only way to enter the new car park, if travelling from Maid Marian Way, is more complicated as a result.
Motorists must now turn right – not left – at Greyfriar Gate and on to Wilford Street before continuing along Waterway Street West, Sheriffs Way, and on to Queens Road, down London Road and eventually on to Canal Street via the BBC Island junction to the east.
The new route adds more minutes to the journey to the car park.
Christine Emery and Brian Muddiman, who were visiting the city from Chesterfield, described it as “confusing”.
They said: “We’ve come by train but we would definitely have to rely on the satnav, but even that might be wrong. It is silly. I would not want to drive around Nottingham anymore.”
Steve Ramsell, a solicitor who works for Bhatia Best opposite the new car park, said the new layout was a “planner’s nightmare”.
He added: “I would not know how to get in and I’ve worked in this area for years.
“I drive down Maid Marian Way and I come part-way along Canal Street. Whenever I am walking about I see people drive along here and suddenly put their brakes on because they noticed they were about to get fined.
“It is a bit confusing. It is difficult to understand why people would park at this end of the city.”
Nottingham City
Council says it is simply a matter of people adapting to the new layout and learning that there are now thousands of new spaces at the Broad Marsh car park.
Councillor Rosemary Healy, portfolio holder for highways and transport who represents Mapperley for Labour, said: “We fully expected that it would take some time for the road layout around Canal Street to become familiar to drivers, including how to access the new Broad Marsh car park.
“To help with this, we’ve installed significant signage around the area to direct people and made lots of information available through the council’s social media channels and Transport Nottingham website, including dashboard videos. Many of these signs display live information to inform which car parks have spaces available.
“A number of temporary cones and barriers have been removed this week so hopefully this will further help drivers to find their way into Broad Marsh. As part of the wider regeneration of this part of the city, which has seen major changes to the road layout with improved pedestrian access and cycle routes, there is no longer a through-route available for vehicles. All access is from the east, via the London Road roundabout.”
I would not know how to get in and I’ve worked in this area for years
Steve Ramsell