Temporary Banbury car park opens in time for Christmas rush

The Bolton Road site has now been completed providing much needed additional car parking space for Old Town shoppers.
Bolton Road multistorey car park, Banbury. Contractors preparing for demolition work in August which has now been completedNNL-160830-121652009Bolton Road multistorey car park, Banbury. Contractors preparing for demolition work in August which has now been completedNNL-160830-121652009
Bolton Road multistorey car park, Banbury. Contractors preparing for demolition work in August which has now been completedNNL-160830-121652009

The temporary car park opened yesterday (Thursday) on the site of the former multi-storey car park that has been demolished over the past several months and will come as a welcome relief to traders in the area who were critical of the council’s decision to abruptly close the multi-storey in June.

It’s opening has not only come in time for the Christmas rush but also for this weekend’s Small Business Saturday on December 3 and it will be included with other district council run car parks in offering free parking to promote the event.

Cllr George Reynolds, Cherwell’s deputy leader, said: “This work had not been planned; it came about following an inspector’s report which identified serious issues and due to plans to regenerate the site in the future, it was agreed not to invest money repairing a structure which would later be demolished.

“Throughout this project we have had two key priorities; to minimise disruption and reopen in time to support traders during the festive period.

“Armac Group, who carried out this work, has done a fantastic job in demolishing, clearing and resurfacing this site within a very tight timeframe. As well as being able to provide parking over the Christmas period, we will also be able to use this car park in the Small Business Saturday free parking promotion, with shoppers in easy walking distance of many of the independent traders in Banbury’s fantastic old town.”

The car park comprises of 135 spaces with an additional seven for blue badge holders.

Drivers can use the car park for short or long stay purposes with charging periods between 8am and 7pm. The car park has been fitted with ticket machines, lighting and has been repainted with new white parking bays.

Bolton Road is identified within Cherwell’s Local Plan as a key site for development to potentially incorporate opportunities for a hotel, housing, retail and restaurant units. These plans would have involved the future demolition of the multi-storey once the project moves forward.