Parking promises over £150m plan

The council admits the car park closures will be confusing at the start

Businesses and customers have been assured there will be enough parking spaces when a £150m redevelopment of a Berkshire town begins.

The two-year Park Way project in Newbury will create 64 new shops, 187 homes and an underground car park for 639 vehicles.

The existing car parks will close, with the loss of 316 spaces.

But West Berkshire Council said up to 500 spare spaces were already available while another 150 would be freed up.

Pamela Bale, executive councillor, said: "New direction signs to Newbury's car parks will all be in place, and leaflets and posters distributed to town centre shops with a map showing where all the car parks are.

"Advertisements are being taken in the local newspaper over the next couple of weeks to ensure drivers know the easiest places to park."

David Danielli, chairman of the Town Centre Partnership's parking and transport group, added: "With this parking strategy in place, it will be business as usual while the Park Way project is under way.

"Once complete, the development's new 639-space underground car park will provide for the increased number of shoppers attracted to the town."