BARNSLEY market’s 500-space multi-storey car park will close later this month to allow preparatory work to begin so that it can be demolished.
The car park will make way for the next phase of the £130m Glass Works development and these changes will remain in place until a new, modern multi-storey car park opens.
Additional free weekend parking will be made available from August 4, including the car parks at Churchfields; Pitt Street; Burleigh Street East; Burleigh Street West; Sackville Street; St Mary’s Place; Burleigh Street; Thomas Street; Pitt Street West; York Street; Westgate; Churchfields; St Mary’s Gate; Eastgate; Falcon Street and Sackville Street.
Free short stay car parks with a three-hour limit include Graham’s Orchard; John Street; Wellington House; Market Gate and parts of Courthouse upper and Courthouse lower car parks.
A council spokesman said: “Our aim is to provide sufficient, safe parking and to maintain footfall during the redevelopment. In addition to the 11 extra sites, changes are being introduced to create short stay and long stay parking and weekend parking will remain free for everyone.
“The changes will prioritise the most convenient spaces for shoppers and visitors and make sure there are enough spaces available for town centre workers, market traders, football fans and anyone else who needs to stay longer.
“The closest spaces to the shops will be limited to three hours’ free parking with no option to extend the stay, to make sure the most convenient spaces are available for shoppers when they need them and encourage those that need to stay longer to use previously under-utilised car parks.
“To park in a short stay car park you must obtain a free ticket from the ticket machine and display it clearly in your car - this is to that make sure users keep to the three-hour limit.
“Spaces a little further away will be free to use all day. As before, a yellow bag will be placed over the machine to let people know that they can park for free all day. The maximum stay of 24 hours will remain in place.”
Coun Roy Miller added: “Throughout the redevelopment of the town centre our priority is to make sure that people can still easily access it, whether that is to shop, work, or run their businesses.
“We have a plan in place that will ensure shoppers, workers and market traders can park where and when they need to.
“As with all areas of the development we continue to work closely and openly with our traders as we move forward to the exciting new offer.
“We will make sure that people are fully aware and well informed about the closure and demolition of the multi-storey car park and alternative car parking available through a range of communications and new signage.”
