Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

(a)  To agree the Minutes from the meeting held on 3 November, 2022

(b)  Any matters arising

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 November, 2022 were agreed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Report of the Director of Transportation and Highways

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Transportation and Highways which indicated that in January 2017, Cabinet approved a report to construct a new multi-storey car park (MSCP) in Salt Lane which opened to the public in October 2019. The Cabinet report included a second phase of work to explore the possible redevelopment of the existing New Union Street and Cheylesmore car parks. However, this was deferred due to the pandemic.

During COVID-19 demand for city centre parking plummeted and a review of the car park estate showed that the Council had a large surplus of parking spaces which was financially unsustainable. Subsequently, the Cabinet Member for City Services approved the decommissioning and closure of five car parks which were underused or earmarked for other uses, which included New Union Street MSCP and Cheylesmore surface car parks. These two car parks are next to each other on the same site which is close to junction five of the ring road.

An intrusive structural and conditions survey of the New Union Street MSCP car park was carried out in 2018 when it was found that a significant level of capital investment of circa £1million would be needed to upgrade and improve the car park to modern day standards. The figure is likely to have increased significantly since then.

Two more city centre car parks having a total of 299 spaces closed in 2022, and the Station MSCP which includes 638 spaces, was opened. Ultimately there has been a net reduction of 304 city centre parking spaces since 2019.

The City Centre South development is due to start in 2023/24. The scheme is the Council’s key regeneration priority for the city. It includes the closure of Barracks and City Arcade car parks, and the removal of a further 691 parking spaces which will increase the net reduction of city centre parking spaces since 2019, to 995 spaces.

There is a risk that demand for parking will exceed supply due to the CCS development and so it is proposed that the New Union Street MSCP is demolished, and a surface car park is constructed on the site to ease the pressure on city centre parking. The new car park will include about 150 parking spaces. Officers, in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for City Services, will consider the options on how to operate the new facility as part of a wider review of parking provision. If required, the outcome of this will be the subject of a further report to the Cabinet Member for City Services in due course.

The Cabinet Member noted lots of initiatives taking place in the City in relation to offering alternative modes of travel into the City Centre, particularly the creation of safe cycle routes.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change:

1.  Approves the demolition of the former New Union Street multi-storey car park and the construction of a temporary surface car park on the site. 

2.  Approves that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

There are no outstanding issues.

There were no outstanding issues.

There were no items of urgent public business.