A new working group to take action on car parking in Bingham meets for the first time next month.
The Bingham Car Park Strategy Group will meet to begin to discuss recommendations approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) Cabinet on September 12.
They include conducting a parking survey to obtain up to date information about parking capacity in the town, exploring short-term solutions to improve town centre parking and considering the suitability of a Bingham Town Council site close to Bingham Arena for a possible future long-stay car park.
The working group will see the Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis join ward members for Bingham, Cllr Rowan Bird from Bingham Town Council and Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment Cllr Neil Clarke to action the points in the coming months.
Cllr Clarke said: “I am really pleased that this group can now act, as it is the first time all partners at all levels will be working constructively together with the same commitment, namely, to improve car parking in Bingham both in the short and long term.
“Therefore the group will assess short-term solutions which could become longer-term solutions if successful and I’m pleased we’re now progressing the working group as planned.
“This will also allow us to look at other options for alternative solutions to improve parking.”
RBC responded to Bingham Town Council’s request last year which commenced with a £25,000 grant and officer support in helping them with their wider car parking project and this is only part of the work completed since the partnership was formed.
Cllr Inglis added: “This working group with the Town and County Councils will take these next steps to better understand the town’s parking situation.
“Working in partnership we will prepare a parking strategy for Bingham, including short term alternatives to any new long stay car park. This could also see improvements to parking in the heart of the town centre in conjunction with the County’s transport and highway strategy, including on street car parking.
“We recognise work completed to date to support Bingham Town Council’s ambition for a new long-stay car park for the town, potentially on the site adjacent to the railway line near Bingham Arena.
“We’re fully aware the challenges presented by Network Rail’s current lack of support for the scheme and the delay this presents to delivering it.”
Cllr Bird, Mayor of Bingham Town Council added: “Bingham Town Council are pleased and committed to work with Rushcliffe Borough Council to progress parking options for the Town. Working with all stakeholders as part of the parking strategy group we will aim to look at all options for long and short stay parking in the town.”