We need more not less parking

Currently afoot in Warwick town is sharp division of opinion between the town’s people; the electorate and its elected representatives, their district, and in the case of historic Warwick, also its town councillors. It is all to do with the extraordinary proposal to remove 40 plus parking places from the West Rock Car Park, which is conveniently situated near the town’s library, Shire Hall, the main post office and of course Warwick’s town centre with its variety of individual, and these days hard-pressed,  retail shops.

What should replace this very convenient town facility? Well, it seems, social housing, odd if you remember both councils have a Conservative majority, not usually associated with social conversions, rather with more space to park the limousine. A councillor is reported to have commented on the ready availability of alternate under-used parking in the covered Linen St car park, a facility that closes at night and ironically provides unofficial social shelter for Warwick’s homeless from time to time.

How has this come about and why did we the humble voters know nothing about it? After all parking is the everlasting worsening problem for motorists. There will be many reading this who, when they arrive, will need to cruise around for somewhere to leave their wheels.

Had the council announced an improvement and availability of parking near the town centre, this would have been welcomed by the community, economy, visitors, anyone who uses or is moved by car.

But to plan to reduce parking and replace it with housing when last week’s Courier front page announces yet another proposal for thousands of homes, makes one wonder what is behind the planning in Warwick district - common sense or politics?

Richard Warner, Cocksparrow Street, Warwick