COUNCIL CONFIDENT CONFIDENT CAR PARK EXTENSION WILL BE BIG MONEY-SPINNER

Grant Street car park on a slow day for trade in November

A PROPOSED expansion of a car park in Cleethorpes could generate an extra £169,000 per annum to the coffers of North East Lincolnshire Council.

 That is according to a report recommending that a single-storey structure should be built on the existing car park in Grant Street.

It states: "If a funding option is agreed, the car park will provide additional parking spaces for the resort and aim to reduce the pressure for parking in the peak season, both in existing resort car parks and side streets.

"Highway and council officials have been working up proposals to build a single-storey  following engagement with key stakeholders, businesses and ward councillors, all recognising parking concerns in the resort and aiming to mitigate them to improve the visitor economy."

The document continues:  The existing Grant Street car park layout has 65 standard car parking spaces, six disabled ‘blue badge’ spaces, 14 large HGV/coach spaces and a small motorcycle parking area."

"Car parking demand here is highly seasonal with demand peaking at around 80-90 per cent between May and September. 

"A high percentage of properties in the area surrounding the Grant Street car park are terraced in nature and do not have access to off-street parking. 

"Residents often have difficulties parking their vehicles within proximity to their properties due to daily commuter, shopper and visitor parking. 

"In recent years, NELC has received requests from residents living in north and central Cleethorpes to address parking issues associated with visitors' vehicles - these requests have included the possible introduction of permit parking. 

"The lack of appropriate parking provision also creates problems around circulating traffic causing unnecessary congestion and pollution in the surrounding areas and an environment which is less attractive to pedestrians due to the domination by traffic. 

"There are also problems with maintaining public transport schedules which directly impacts on bus passenger numbers. Issues around the Council’s ability to service refuse collection due to heavily congested roads around the resort are also a factor."

Subject to Cabinet approval at a meeting on December 1, planning and design works will be finalised in preparation for the planning process and engagement with residents and businesses.

A first-storey extension will not improve the view for residents of these houses  

The Grimsby News says: Oh no, not more concrete for Cleethorpes! Although only a single storey is proposed, such a development will scar this part of the town and blight the surrounding area for nearby residents. Far from easing traffic  congestion, it will encourage more car visitors - surely the opposite of what is required when the world is striving to tackle climate change.