£228,000 to relieve town car park headache

From the archive, first published Thursday 10th Nov 2005.

GAZETTE & HERALD: STRESSFUL traffic jams spilling from Chippenham's Borough Parade car park could become a thing of the past with a £228,000 plan.

At a meeting last Thursday, North Wiltshire District Councillors agreed to refurbish and revise the layout of the car park as soon as the Christmas shopping period was over.

Work will be carried out in a phased manner to minimise disruption and allow continued use of some parts and is due for completion in March 2006.

Councillors voted for the second of three options to transform the nightmare car park that has left exasperated motorists queuing for up to an hour and a half.

The decision means layout and management issues, including segregating loading and disabled parking and improving unclear markings and missing signs, will be resolved.

Plans might also include a two-lane exit onto the busy Gladstone Road, but the new design means up to 14 of the 149 parking spaces could be lost.

"I'm pleased that we've identified what I call the Rolls Royce approach to car parking at Borough Parade," said leader of the council, Carol O' Gorman.

"Both the town and district councils are pleased with this scheme and I think the overall effect on the area will be positive."

North Wiltshire District Council, which owns the Borough Parade car park, was so concerned about its layout it commissioned Mayor Brown traffic consultants to study the problems.

At around midday they observed queues of 15 to 20 cars at the traffic lights leading to Avenue la Fleche. With traffic flows recorded at 21,500 vehicles a day, it is one of the most heavily trafficked roads in the county.

Principal urban designer, Julian Kasdan-Brown said: "Option two fully deals with the identified Health and Safety, disabled access and pedestrian issues within the car park, but is above the available budget. However, the study does suggest that construction cost savings could potentially be secured to bring this option within budget."

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