|
Solution found to car park opening hours
The Roding Valley Hall car park in Station Way, Buckhurst Hill, will now be open from 8.30am until 6.30pm on weekdays and Saturdays with three shopkeepers responsible for opening and closing the car park, the parish council has agreed.
The car park had previously been opened and closed by parish council staff.
However Thursday's parish council meeting was told that issues had arisen when the car park was not opened as scheduled and indiscriminately closed without notice, sometimes for several days.
Traders told councillors that any closure was "crippling" businesses in Station Way.
One shopkeeper told the meeting: "It's a huge struggle at the moment. By shutting the car park it's really damaging the businesses."
He added: "We have offered to take on the responsibility of opening and closing the gates. We are responsible people. We wouldn't abuse it. We turn up in the morning and don't know whether it will be open and closed."
Councillor Jo Share-Bernia said it is "catastrophic" for businesses when the car park was closed.
The parish council had reverted to restricted opening times rather than leaving the car park open 24 hours a day to prevent all-day commuter parking.
|
