Town pushes for more parking (From Oxford Mail)

Town pushes for more parking

5:53pm Tuesday 4th December 2012 in Wallingford

CIVIC leaders want a new car park to be created in Wallingford to cater for a growing demand for shopping spaces in the town.

The town council, which is calling for a meeting with South Oxfordshire District Council, said one possibility raised by Waitrose in St Martin’s Street was adding a deck to its existing 185-space car park.

But Waitrose spokesman Jo Maish said earlier this week: “We have no plans for a double deck car park at our Wallingford branch.”

With 550 new homes due to be built at the Slade End Farm site, as part of South Oxfordshire District Council’s core strategy, there will soon be even more demand for parking.

Town clerk Andrew Rogers said Waitrose had “considered the possibility of double-decking their car park”, and added: “The need for more parking spaces is now quite acute and at weekends it is quite difficult to park.

“We could make a better job of utilising the spaces at the riverside car park but that can be subject to flooding and people want to park nearer the town centre when they are shopping.

“The lack of parking spaces in the town is an issue that needs addressing urgently.”