Here’s what traders in Spalding think of plans to remove town centre car parking spaces

Plans to remove all parking spaces from the town centre as part of plans to re-write the rules governing a much ignored pedestrian zone have received a mixed reaction.

Lincolnshire County Council is looking to tighten up the traffic regulation order (TRO) which is supposed to prevent vehicles travelling through Spalding town centre.

Under the current rules, vehicles are not supposed to enter Hall Place and Market Place between 10am and 4pm on Monday to Saturday and on market days - but this rule is frequently ignored by many motorists. Cars are also parking in the Market Place spaces and on the road.

But the county council is looking to relocate existing on-street parking out of the pedestrian zone along with the introduction of a 24-hour no waiting restriction in Market Place.

We have approached some businesses in the town centre to find out what they think of the proposal.

Emily Davey and Amanda Marriott, of Robert Goddard, do not feel that the loss of the spaces in the town centre will affect their business but hope to see an end to the bad behaviour of motorists flouting the rules.

Amanda had expressed concerns about the ‘audacity’ of motorists who park in the road after 10am and was pleased that the council is looking at the rules.

She said: “We worry about people with children as they run out - we shut our doors when children are in the shop as we worry about people running out into the road.

“There’s no real enforcement of the rules.”

Emily said: “People come in for 20 minutes, park up and then beep at people in the street.

“I don’t think it (the loss of the spaces) would put shoppers off.”

Raluca Ungureanu, who has recently opened Fratteli’s with husband Ionut, thinks it is a good idea to look at the order as she has seen a lot of cars passing through the town centre.

She said: “There are car parks nearby. I think it would be ok if people are encouraged to come into the town centre rather than being put off by the cars.”

New owner of Penningtons coffee shop in Red Lion Street, Helen Wheeler, feels that there is already an issue with the number of parking spaces in the town.

She said: “There is not masses of parking in Spalding, I think for older people and disabled people it is handy to have those spaces in town. The town is struggling enough with loss of businesses so I think if people can come in and park closer.

“One of the issues when we were looking at the business was where was the parking. We get passing trade if people come in for coffee and cake but it would be nice to have more parking.”

Element 78 owner Jason Coates also feels that more parking is needed - and did not feel that the information sent over from the county council had been particularly clear.

He said: “I think it will put people off from coming into the town. People like to come in and do a few jobs. A lot of elderly people cannot easily walk a long way.”

Under new proposals, the county council is looking to increase disabled parking in Red Lion Street, Double Street and Sheep Market.

Over in Stamford, South Kesteven District Council is looking to increase the number of parking spaces at the Cattle Market.

What do you think? Let us know your views in the comments below…