New car park to open as part of town centre improvements

A short stay, pay and display car park is set to open on Winston Street West as part of works to improve the town centre.

The opening of the car park, on Friday 28 May, will increase parking in the area. As with other town centre car parks, it will be free for the first two hours and then £1 per hour from 8am-6pm.

The opening of the car park is part of a £1.7m government funded project to improve Woodland Road, Outram Street and Duke Street.

The plans also mean Duke Street will remain 20mph and be one way from the Stanhope Road roundabout to Skinnergate. 

In recent weeks, have been a number of complaints about drivers driving the wrong way along the road. To help combat the problem, CCTV surveillance is taking place and the police are carrying out enforcement in the area, issuing tickets and warnings to offenders.  

Councillor Andy Keir, cabinet member for local services, said: “We hope by opening this car park and keeping the reduced speed limit and one way system, we will be able to manage traffic in the town centre and make it safer and more attractive for visitors.

“The one way route is clearly signed and drivers ignoring it could face a fixed penalty notice as they are putting themselves and others in danger.”