Seaside town’s car park closes again to deter visitors
A SEAFRONT car park in Clevedon has been closed for a second time - in an attempt to discourage people from visiting the town.
The Salthouse Fields car park closed when the Government lockdown was introduced and was reopened on May 15 when restrictions started to ease.
Now North Somerset Council has temporarily closed it again, after a huge swell in the number of visitors to Clevedon in recent weeks.
Local councillors had raised concerns the number of visitors was preventing people from being able to maintain social distancing - particularly at the Salthouse Fields and Marine Lake areas.
It is hoped the measure, which is being introduced on a trial basis, will help improve the situation.
Signs have gone up directing people who do visit the town to park in the Strode Leisure Centre car park at Strode Road, half a mile from the seafront.
North Somerset Council executive member for parking Mark Canniford said: “We have been urging people not to visit North Somerset at this time, but unfortunately places like Clevedon have seen large numbers of visitors which has led to issues around social distancing. If people are going to continue to come despite our requests to stay away we need to make it as safe as possible for everyone, residents and visitors.”
The move comes just days after the authority sealed off parking along The Beach by using large bollards to to give pedestrians extra space to socially distance.