ACCIDENTS on two tortuous Bridgnorth roads may be reduced by new restrictions on the use of Bridgnorth Leisure Centre car park.
Weekend parking charges could be permanently introduced to reduce the flow of traffic in Cliff Road and Love Lane. And changes to the control of barriers to the complex, which also includes the Endowed School, are also in the pipeline.
Shropshire Council confirmed this week that a trial scheme is to come into force later this year as consultations continue on the proposals.
The town’s civic society has backed local residents in a long campaign for action in a bid to eradicate the danger at the Love Lane exit.
“The civic society has been fobbed off year after year on this issue,” said society chairman Dr Christopher Jephcott. “It has been a long-running sore.
“It has always been our stance that no permission has ever been given to open up the exit from the site on to Love Lane. The barrier at the Love Lane end has been broken for a while,” he added
Dr Jephcott said it was difficult to comment on the proposal for parking charges until the tariff was known.
Tim Smith, the council’s assistant director for children and young people’s services, said the move to bring in charges for general users was also aimed at ensuring more spaces were available for people using the centre.
“Leisure Centre users could be given a car parking token to cover the fee. It is our intention to trial the scheme on this basis later this year and publish the outcomes at its conclusion,” he added.
The barrier to the site reached from Cliff Road would stay up, but the Love Lane barrier would stay down on both
Saturdays and Sundays.
The trial also includes closure of the car park from 7.15pm on Mondays to Fridays, other than for access by Blue Badge holders and centre staff. Traffic still in the car park after this time would have to leave by Cliff Road.
The barriers at the Cliff Road end of the complex would, as now, be open during the week from 8am-4.30pm and barriers at both ends would be open from 4.30-7.15pm with exit on to Love Lane.