Spendlove Car Park (Roads)

Mon 16 Jun, 17:06

The Town Council did a survey in the car park before the permit parking was introduced and stated that there was no parking problem there. If there is now a problem, it must have been caused by the introduction parking permits? I cannot see that the correct solution is to limit parking even further. Maybe businesses should be able apply for permits for parking on the street? There is normally plenty of room during the day. This would potentially free up alot of space in the car park. I did email OCC asking this question, but did not receive any reply.

Mon 16 Jun, 15:51

I don’t know anyone in Charlbury with a problem with commuters (but if anyone does, I guess they can start a thread about it in the ‘Roads’ section).

However, I do I know a convenience store that is no longer very convenient because the car park next to it is always full during the day. I hadn’t even thought of visitors like Victoria being unable to access the town centre, I was thinking of more less-mobile locals, but she makes a good point. Charlbury is classed as a ‘rural service centre’ so it needs to be accessible to people in nearby hamlets and villages too.

It is true that businesses will not exist if workers can’t get to work, but the other side of that coin is that businesses will not exist if customers can’t access them.

I thought it was more likely that the solution to relieving pressure on the car parking in the town lay with business owners/commuters than with the businesses’ customers. Perhaps I am wrong.

PS I agree some hostelry workers might not want to walk to the Cricket ground in the dead of winter. I was just trying to make a helpful suggestion for where some workers could park if the Spendlove car park were limited to short stays, if the Cricket club was happy to rent the space, etc. I am sure other solutions are available.

Mon 16 Jun, 14:40

This is great. We moved from Charlbury to a nearby village a few years ago, but still come to Charlbury for the library, GP, Dentist, Co-op, etc. Recently due to the lack of parking, I have stopped coming to Charlbury. There must be others in my position. 

I believe the GP, library, Dentist, Vet, Co-op, chemist etc. in Charlbury are not meant to only serve people within walking distance. In fact, the businesses will probably suffer without 'outsiders', and the council will probably not be able to justify the GP / library etc. funding. 

This new restriction will hopefully ensure that there will be parking space for people who need to use these services. I'm glad something is being done about this situation.

Mon 16 Jun, 12:55

Some Charlbury residents have a problem with commuters, but without commuters, there will be no business open in Charlbury. Why should the staff of the CO-OP have to park at the cricket club and walk to the shop (will be great fun in winter at 10pm in the evening, in the rain and dark because the street lights have been turned off) when there is a perfectly good car park next to the shop? 

Mon 16 Jun, 12:15

I think it's a good idea. Many older/infirm people whose mobility is poor and who  rely on driving are struggling to get to the Coop/chemist because the Spendlove car park is full due to commuter parking. The car park isn't working as it used to or should do. 

If the restriction does come in, can employers look at options for all-day parking for employees further afield – maybe literally a field, like the one outside the Cricket Club which is accessible 95% of the year when there's no floodwater? This is rarely used on weekdays so would be fine for Mon-Fri employees, thought not all (e.g. Bull/Bell employees who need to drive from out of town and who work weekends when there is a cricket match)? I am sure there are other possible solutions too.

Mon 16 Jun, 11:56

I have heard a rumour that the Spendlove Car Park (CO-OP) is going to have a 3 hour maximum stay applied. Has anyone else heard anything? Surely they cannot be seriously considering this on top of all of the other on street parking restrictions that have been recently bought in?