Councillors will next week vote on whether to adopt a new five-year parking strategy for Warwick and the rest of Warwick district.

The major strategy document is designed to govern how Warwick District Council's (WDC) car parks can be improved and meet demand over the next five years.

A council report says it is a "comprehensive framework for the management, maintenance and operation of and investment in the council's off-street parking service".

A report due to be discussed by councillors shows WDC has 25 car parks, with some 3,000 spaces across them.

Last year 1.6 million tickets were sold and in the next financial year the local authority aims to bring in over £5 million from this.

"Warwick District Council wants to deliver a modern, sustainable parking service that makes our district an even better place to live, work, and visit," the strategy said. 

"The strategy is built on four pillars; Fair & Well Managed, Balancing Supply and Demand, Technology & Data and Safety & Quality each designed to support accessibility, environmental goals, and a great experience for everyone who uses our car parks."

Among a number of issues identified, the strategy says of the district: the high car ownership mixed with enforcement issues, the loss of local car parks and peaks around Christmas and the summer are causing recurring parking issues.

advertisement

The council also set out what it sees as the issues across the district's towns.

Warwick

Residents in Warwick were said to think there is a "gap" in the parking provision in the town centre following the closure of Linen Street car park.

"There is demand across the town centre [which] can make finding a parking space difficult during popular times of the day and days of the week," the report said.

It added: "Demand is likely to increase in future years given developments around the town."

Conversely, the report also noted the car parks around the racecourse and St Mary's Lands get little demand.

"Myton Fields provides an important release valve for high demand periods and event parking but suffers from a poor surface which will continue to degrade over time," the report continued.

advertisement

Kenilworth

The strategy actually said Kenilworth has a "good balance between supply and demand in the town centre".

Parking peaks come at the weekend and particularly around Christmas.

It also noted the car parks at Castle Farm Leisure Centre and Abbey Fields fill up on the weekends "when good weather, park events, football, and leisure users combine to create peaks in the demand". 

It was noted this has a knock-on impact on neighbouring streets.

Crucially though, the strategy did not set out any detailed plans for coping with the increased demand at Abbey Fields when the new swimming pools open - something town councillors have been calling for immediate action on.

Leamington Spa 

More parking problems were found in Leamington which sees high demand across the week.

advertisement

WDC said only a few car parks are regularly less than 60 per cent full during peak times.

High demand around the Old Town as well as "severe but infrequent issues" at Victoria Park were identified.

Meanwhile the council also noted the pedestrianisation of the town centre could lead to future problems.