Public back more parking spaces

A public consultation has seen widespread support for an extra 900 parking spaces in a Berkshire town.

Almost 2,000 people responded with many calling for more park and ride schemes in Windsor and shared parking with businesses at evenings and weekends.

The council is now using the six most popular options to come up with proposals for the future.

Some ideas have already been put in place, including extending shuttle bus times for the Home Park park and ride.

Additional parking signs have been put up to direct motorists to evening parking spaces.

Rather than blundering into the future with untested ideas we decided to consult with residents first Councillor Colin Rayner

Other improvements in the pipeline include real-time travel information signs on the Windsor and Eton relief road and travel information text alerts.

The consultation results showed 62% of people supported a park and ride at Centrica and for the expansion of the existing park and ride at Home Park.

A plan for additional parking facilities at King Edward VII Hospital was supported by 65% of respondents.

The use of shared parking facilities with businesses in the evenings and at weekends was backed by 81% of people.

Some 72% wanted a new park and ride at Windsor Racecourse and 62% were in favour of a new footbridge linking the Windsor Dials car park to Windsor and Eton Central Station.

Councillor Colin Rayner, lead member for highways and streetcare, said: "Finding parking solutions for Windsor is a top priority for the council but rather than blundering into the future with untested ideas we decided to consult with residents first.

"Now we have the results and they give us a clear steer for the future - a range of excellent options that not only have public backing but offer very practical ways of helping Windsor's parking needs."