Council shuts car park over safety fears

A car park in Warwick is to permanently close over safety fears.

Warwick District Council said that following “many months of analysis and investigation work” the Linen Street multi-storey will be closed on 18 July “on safety grounds”.

In preparation for the closure, the council said it has put in place plans to reduce the impact of the loss of the car park and to minimise any disruption.

The authority said the detailed proposals include more extensive use of the less expensive ‘park and stride’ car parks on Hampton Road and St Mary’s Lands.

Warwick District Council’s Alan Rhead said: “This has been a very difficult decision, but the car park has been declared unsafe for motorists and their vehicles by our specialist consultants.

“There are a number of car parks on the periphery of Warwick, which are currently underutilised and for many daily commuters into the town are undiscovered.

“We would therefore like to direct long-stay motorists to these sites which are about a ten-minute walk away. By using these they will make significant savings, and, also be doing their bit to help to reduce carbon emissions in the town centre hotspots.”

Council representatives will be at Warwick Market on Saturday 10 July distributing information, car park maps and free parking vouchers.

Linen Street season ticket and permit holders have already been notified of the closure and offered alternative parking options.

Councillors have asked council officers to draw up options for the future use of the site.