In the Willesden Sainsburys recently, I saw they are advertising their car parking for customers. I hope that they remember that they have a planning obligation dating back to the 1980s, they have to make some of their spaces available for general town centre use.
I have often argued that parking is not as central to town centre success as many people seem to think. During the early stages of the Harlesden Town Centre regeneration, I was surprised to learn that 85% of shoppers travelling to a London Town Centre do not come by car. I was less surprised to find that getting people to linger in a pleasant urban environment is seen as important to the success of a High Street. Political debates about parking often fail to recognise these factors.
UPDATE
The comment below states that Sainsburys are ignoring their obligations on car parking. If so the Council should remind them ofr their obligations and, if necessary, take legal action. By the way, the land on the Willesden Library site was not "given away". It paid for the new library. It is also worth remembering that it was not for general parking but specifically for users of the Library Centre.
1 comment:
Yes you promised us that Sainsburys would let people park there after you gave away Willesden's only public car park to the property developers. Some idiots believed you, but now Sainsburys deny all knowledge and noone at the council gives a toss.
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