Parking scheme could be implemented on Union Street

A residents’ parking scheme could be implemented on Union Street, following the closure of Lowbourne Car Park.

Resident-only permit bays could be introduced along Union Street, following the closure of the Lowbourne Car Park, which is expected to be removed once the planned older people’s flats are constructed on the former library site.

The idea was put forward by Cllr Jennie Westbrook at Melksham Town Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee meeting on 13th January.

Councillors unanimously supported the proposal and agreed to refer the possible introduction of on-street parking permits to the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG).

One resident, Davina Griffin, who has lived on Union Street for over 30 years shared concerns about the possible loss of parking and said that without residents’ parking scheme in place, it would cause problems in nearby streets.

She said, “If I can’t park in Union Street car park, then I am going to park in Ruskin Avenue aren’t I, and walk back. Then there would be even more problems for the school. You have to look at the ripple effects that go out from there.”

Supporting the proposal, Cllr Phil Alford requested that some addresses in nearby Lowbourne, which do not have parking and use the Lowbourne car park, could be added into the proposals.

He said, “I am very supportive that as much of the car park is resident only. Make sure we are not excluding residents of Lowbourne Road. There a cluster of old properties that don’t have any parking spaces and no capacity for parking. They are utterly dependent on Lowbourne, if motion is just for Union Street residents then those people who live on Lowbourne road and don’t have any parking are going to be stuck.”

The scheme will now be referred to LHFIG.

Melksham’s former library is due to be developed into 60 affordable apartments for older people, after contractor, E G Carter and Co Ltd were appointed by Wiltshire Council last year.