Fears Derby rush hour traffic will get worse if new indoor car park built
Motorists fear a new multi-storey car park in Derby could make congestion on a busy city route even worse.
Plans are at a very early stage to build a new indoor car park at Pride Park at the rear of the city’s train station and opposite the city’s Grade II Listed Roundhouse building, which was once at the centre of Derby’s proud railway industry ...and has since been transformed into a university site..
Derby City Council’s vision is part of wider regeneration plans to improve the train station’s appearanceand provide the locality with new homes, offices, and business premises. The project also involves building a new pedestrian route from the station entrance to Midland Road, as well as a revamped station entrance and updated signage.
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However, the local authority is also considering improvements to the Pride Park area adjacent to the station. In a comprehensive 150-page regeneration report, the council notes that "the station's back entrance and the immediate vicinity are in a dilapidated state, and redeveloping this area could substantially enhance the experience for rail passengers."
Concerns have also been raised about the "bland and featureless" nature of the public areas near the Pride Park entrance of the station. A key element of the proposed improvements to the site and passenger experience is the construction of a new multi-storey car park. This might entail converting existing surface parking into an indoor facility.
Constructing the car park might free up space for another building, possibly incorporating "small-scale ground floor commercial units" that enhance the surroundings.the railway station environmentas well as catering to those who work at or visit Pride Park.
Following a public consultation, the local council has collected opinions on the key proposals. They noted that the suggestion for a multi-storey car park received both backing and resistance.
It seems the worry stems from drivers who are concerned about the already heavy traffic in the area. They say Pride Park is often a* A notorious traffic bottleneck with lengthy tailbacks. * A traffic blackspot known for its long queues. * An area plagued by heavy traffic and significant delays. * A place where traffic congestion is a major issue, resulting in long lines of vehicles. * A problem area for traffic, characterised by extensive queuing....and a new car park might significantly worsen the daily traffic congestion.
Read more - Massive backing for proposals to revamp the 'shameful' railway station vicinity.
A respondent to the consultation noted that locating a multi-storey car park near Pride Park and the college would need to take into account the substantial queues of rush hour traffic in that area.
Furthermore, someone else commented that allowing vehicles near the station would undermine the council's climate change goals and efforts to encourage walking and cycling. They stated: "Absolutely no to a multi-storey car park – it goes against everything you're aiming for."
A third person said: “The station approach would benefit from traffic restriction but with thought to drop off points.”
But others thought more car parking around the station was urgently needed. One person said: “Development needs to happen sooner than later, car parking is a must in order to get people out of the cars and into trains on long journeys, with plenty of car access and suitable pick up and drop off points.”
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