Traders gain parking victory
Free parking will be allowed in loading bays outside delivery times in parts of Newark town centre after a campaign by retailers.
Traders, backed by Newark Business Club, campaigned for a change in traffic regulations governing loading bays to boost trade by allowing shoppers to park free.
The bays affected are Stodman Street outside Lloyds TSB and the Asha restaurant; Middlegate outside Newton Fallowell and Stray’s, between the junction of Chain Lane and the entrance to The Buttermarket and outside the Halifax, and Kirkgate outside The Old King’s Arms and Sibley’s Butchers.
Loading-only restrictions remain from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday.
The bays can be used for half an hour’s parking, with a no-return period of two hours, on Saturdays and Sundays.
Parking is unrestricted from 6pm-8am on all days.
The maximum time people can stay in limited-time parking bays on Bargate at Allspice, and Clark and English and outside Rhythm & Booze, on Beastmarket Hill outside the castle, Castlegate by the Crown and Mitre, and King’s Road outside Staythorpe Sports and Social Club and Hotlines, is increased from 30 minutes to an hour, with no return for two hours.
The hour of free parking will apply from 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday, with unrestricted parking at other times.
It is also proposed to create a one-hour parking bay along the lay-by on Castlegate, outside LearnDirect.
Mr Darren Burke, a director of Masdings and Oxygen on Middlegate, helped organise a petition calling for the change.
He said: “The county council listened to what we were saying, agreed the change and all in time for the Christmas trade.
“It will make a real difference to Newark town centre.”
Mr Andy Hind, of Sibley’s Butchers, Kirkgate, said: “It’s a victory for retailers in the town centre.”
Mr Neil Hodgson, team manager for major projects at the county council, said: “As a result of feedback from local traders, the council is altering the restrictions on a number of on-street loading bays in Newark town centre.
“This will allow shoppers to park in them for up to 30 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays when they are not needed for loading by the businesses themselves.”
