By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
West Bridgford needs more short-stay car parking or its economy will suffer in future, a new report says.
Rushcliffe Borough Council operates three car parks in West Bridgford with a total of 298 short-stay spaces across Bridgford Road, Nursery and Gordon Road.
Collectively they provide 298 short-stay spaces for visitors to the town centre.
In 2019/20 the Borough Council reported pay and display income of £739,000 across the Borough – with the vast majority generated from the spaces in West Bridgford.
But Nottinghamshire County Council documents state if they do not put plans in place for more short stay parking, the issue will “continue to impact upon the future viability of the town”.
The council is to start a ‘public engagement exercise’ as part of a review of on-street parking around West Bridgford town centre.
In November 2017, Rushcliffe Borough Council published the ‘West Bridgford Commissioner’s Report’ which looked at issues relating to the town centre.
The report was commissioned by the West Bridgford Growth Board which was set up by the Borough Council to “maintain and build-upon Bridgford’s ‘high-quality, thriving and diverse retail, leisure and business sector’.”
The report found that it is “essential” to undertake a review to “preserve the long-term vitality of the town centre”.
It added: “This proposed engagement with the public will be essential to understand the issues faced by regular visitors to the town centre.”
Council council documents stated: “The most prevalent point is around parking availability with 30 per cent of respondents wanted greater availability and some longer stay options. The car parks operated by Rushcliffe Borough Council encourage short-stay parking for up to 3 hours at present.”
