Stratford ‘needs car parking strategy to aid businesses’ as fees set to increase
A CALL for Stratford to have a parking strategy across the town that helps business rather than hinders it has been made by the organisation that represents local traders.
Stratford BID (Business Improvement District) was responding to last week’s announcement by Stratford District Council that it is raising parking charges on council-owned car parks in the town.
A spokesperson for BID told the Herald: “Parking is always a contentious and complex matter for any town centre – no more so than in Stratford because of having to cater for people working in the town centre, locals using it for shopping and services, and visitors to the town.”
The spokesperson added: “What is vital is that there is a parking strategy in place across the town to ensure it assists with footfall and economic growth rather than the opposite.
“With a host of bodies responsible for parking provision across the town – Warwickshire County Council generally responsible for on-street park and Park and Ride, Stratford District Council responsible for some car parks and then private providers on top of this – the key thing is to ensure that all are working together, and not in isolation, to maximise the positives for the town.”
The spokesperson said that in the meantime BID was asking its businesses to look at the proposals themselves and respond individually as part of the consultation exercise.
BID is also considering any formal response to the increased parking proposals during the consultation period which runs until 22nd June.
One example of the proposed increases is the Arden Street car park, where charges will rise 10p to £1.30 an hour, culminating at £22 for 72 hours. Up to nine hours will be will be £8.80, 12 hours £11 and 24 hours £13.20. The overnight charge – 4pm to 8am – will be £3.30.
The proposals have already triggered a storm of protest on social media, The main concern is that the increased charges will have a further damaging effect on Stratford’s businesses at a time when they’re already suffering from difficult trading conditions.
The council was accused of being short-sighted and one correspondent said she now travelled to Evesham, Leamington or even Coventry rather than experience the “soul-eating experience that trying to do anything in
