Hundreds of Hereford car park spaces to be out of use for five months

8:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News

Garrick House multi-storey Garrick House multi-storey

A LARGE Hereford car park is set to close for five months - but Herefordshire Council insists it won't affect the city's parking provision.

The 400-space Garrick Street multi-storey will close on March 11 for 25 weeks.

However, Councillor Graham Powell, cabinet member for infrastructure, is “absolutely confident” that remaining parking facilities, plus the creation of some temporary surface- level parking, will handle the demand.

Based on data collected by council parking inspectors, existing facilities are “well equipped” to deal with the excess.

But the council will also open a 60-space car park in early April near to the multi-storey site to ensure there is still parking available to the north of the city centre.

“I have no concerns that current car parks will be able to accommodate this,” said Coun Powell.

“It would have taken 40 weeks to complete the work part-time – it makes sense to do it now.

“Garrick House will be central to the parking for the Old Livestock Market.”

The refurbishments follow lift repairs last year and include work on the stairwells, strengthening on all levels and water damage prevention.

The council only owns around half of the parking facilities in the city – meaning that while there may be sufficient spaces, much-needed parking charges might end up in the hands private companies and not the council.

• Read Paul Rogers' take on the story in his blog here.

Comments(45)

fordshire77 says...
9:46am Thu 28 Feb 13

This is going to turn the city into a bigger bloody nightmare, I have 2 small kids where the hell I’m I going to find close to city parking? looks like I will be forced to go to Worcester again to do my shopping as I’m not going to be driving round and round the city looking for a parking space! and how is this closure going to effect the small shops of the city!

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silentbull says...
10:33am Thu 28 Feb 13

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse !!!
They knew right from the start that this would happen
'WHY' couldn't they had pre-planed something ??
You CANT even park in neighboring streets now(not even for an hour) because the council have made them 'permit only' areas??
Watch more shops disappear now, not because of people not liking them but because nobody can bloody get to them!!!
Im now seriously worried about this once beautiful city

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oldergit says...
11:16am Thu 28 Feb 13

So sixty spaces is going to make up for 400 is it! Big Deal! It goes from bad to worse.

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GDJ says...
12:01pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Two possibilities:

On Saturdays, which is critical to the shops, open up the car park at the council's Blackfriars Street office (would provide 30 - 40 spaces at a guess to shop workers.
Also on Saturdays, use the tech college enormous car park and run a couple of shuttle buses up and down Aylestone Hill.
They could even run shuttle buses from Brockington and Plough Lane. Just use some imagination and a bit of the OLM budget to prevent our existing shops being even more badly damaged.

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William Rudd says...
12:07pm Thu 28 Feb 13

This car park is so under used.The last four floors are empty most of the time.


This is going to turn the city into a bigger bloody nightmare, I have 2 small kids where the hell I’m I going to find close to city parking? l

Maylords,Goal St,Blueschool st,Tesco's,Bath St,Little berrington St,Ktle St,Bus station,Football ground etc etc etc etc.

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Grid Knocker says...
12:29pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Five months? I shouldn't bank on it! With most council 'promises' you need to factor in a multiplier of 1.5 to 2, so you might be able to park there again in time for your Christmas shopping.

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Lord Smythe says...
1:11pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Can't help but wonder what it is they want to hide. Best public view of the OLM development there is. You can do a lot in 5 months.

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fordshire77 says...
1:24pm Thu 28 Feb 13

williamrudd.... in all due respect have you ever been to hereford city on a sataurday? im guessing not! the words grid lock come to mind!

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bobby47 says...
2:09pm Thu 28 Feb 13

I bloody resent this! Yet another high public building closed which will prevent anyone bereft of hope or the will to live on, jumping down onto Widemarsh Street to end their daily misery, which is, living in Hereford.
I know what some of you will say. You'll shout me down and mutter,'bloody rubbish. You jump if you wish. We're more than happy thank you very much'.
Im simply saying that we all have the right, if we choose, to climb a high public building and jump and anyone who says differently is a ninny and they disagree with me.
Good men and women have been jumping from Garrick House for as long as I can remember and this bloody Council have completely ignored this simple and straightforward civil liberty without so much as a backward glance.
I mean, they could have at least said, 'yes we appreciate some of you wish to jump but the vast majority do not wish to and therefore, we have reluctantly decided to take away this option as a place to jump and meet
Our Dear Lord Jesus.
I ain't stopping on this one. Im going to the top!

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fordshire77 says...
2:29pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Dear lord our king his returned, there were mutterings that a Bounty had been put out for your head.....welcome back Sir

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All Legs says...
2:29pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Does this Council seriously have a "Cabinet Member for Infrastructure"?

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ArmadilloSackRace says...
2:37pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Hardly anyone currently uses the multi storey anyway as it's not fit for purpose. The entrance, exist and ramps between floors are too small for modern cars. If they don't do this work now then it will be used less and less. Makes sense to do it before the new development next to it opens.

It appears that the few that do park in this car park do so by default, rather than bothering to think about alternatives such as the underground car park at Maylords, or any of the other many locations around town. There's even a few decent free spaces if you walk down towards the St James' area of town. I would never pay for parking in town when I can get a couple of hours worth for nothing.

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bobby47 says...
3:00pm Thu 28 Feb 13

All Legs, Yes it's Graham. He's a good man, brave as a lion, he often comes on here unlike the other members of the ruling elite and he owns a lovely coat.
Whenever anything developes that is sure to cover us all in rancid ferret excrement, Graham is tasked to come outside, get photographed and deliver some positive spin on the crisis.
We all shout, 'get stuffed Jarvis' and then Graham goes back indoors and awaits the next bag of rats to emerge and off we go again.
Graham understands that we know its not all his fault. But he also understands that we choose to say its all his fault.
Yes, it's fair to say I like Graham.

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Herefordian says...
4:03pm Thu 28 Feb 13

So where are the doggers & exhibitionists going now?

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Herefordian says...
4:03pm Thu 28 Feb 13

So where are the doggers & exhibitionists going now?

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Herefordian says...
4:03pm Thu 28 Feb 13

So where are the doggers & exhibitionists going now?

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Mr.Herefordian says...
4:21pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Why when the old market site was left desolate for month was that area not used as a tempory car park while this work was done.

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Themightyboosh says...
4:45pm Thu 28 Feb 13

bobby47 they forgot to say part of the work there doing is installing a diving board and painting a big target on widemarsh st.
ready for the rush when they announce there next white elephant.
ive allready booked in advance.

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bobby47 says...
4:55pm Thu 28 Feb 13

There's always one isn't there? My good friend Herefordian couldn't resist mocking the thousands who regularly gather, thrice weekly and participate in this rapidly growing pastime which he refers to as 'dogging'.
I'll be damned if I let this pass and not defend these good men and women who travel from across the region to spend their time and money in our City at a time when economic activity is so badly affecting our economy and future prosperity.
Rather than mock these thousands, I say, 'thank you visiting' and please come again!

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bobby47 says...
5:21pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Graham, As you can see there are three issues that we the public are particularly concerned with. Firstly, of course it's parking, secondly, Themightyboosh's right to jump from Garrick House and finally, where do the members of the Marches Dogging Association go now?
I do appreciate that when you sought Office you hadn't any idea that you'd be required to address the latter two issues but, this is modern politics and the people demand answers.
My very warmest regards to you.

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dippyhippy says...
6:20pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Ah Bobby! A very warm welcome back to you! I trust the unfortunate repetetive strain injury has improved? Your thoughts have been much missed this past week. By the way,what are your feelings on being chained to a tree in full public view? I only ask as I am 13 volunteers short for the Save the Lime Trees campaign.As parking will no longer be an option in Hereford,it is the closest you might be able to get for a while!!

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Biomech says...
6:57pm Thu 28 Feb 13

You all sound surprised! As if I didn't report this over a week ago ;)

http://www.herefordt
imes.com/news/102352
24.Council_votes_for
_council_tax_rise_an
d_service_cuts/ (midway down)

But, of course, you all know the HT rarely reports on things that are actually current.

Anyway, hold on to your lapels, I agree with the Rudd and Armadillo!! The place is hardly used, I certainly never park there - far too expensive, particularly when Tescos is free.

And yes, the structure is way too tight, thank fully when I've been inside I've never had a problem, but my father, a VERY experienced driver (of all things) - he's scratched his car on the tight corners.

But Mr Herefordian was SPOT ON with his post. For years the cattle market ground was desolate, why wasn't this done before? when there was space for people to park on the OLM????????

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Biomech says...
6:59pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Oh also, just for the maths wizards at the HT:

25 weeks is 6 months 1 week, not 5 months.

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KNIGHTROOK says...
7:36pm Thu 28 Feb 13

The hasty and inferior construction of this multi-storey car park that has been beset with issues ever since they knocked down All Saints School to build it.

Inferior bolts and anchorage, dubious foundations isn't it high time the city had a new multi storey. Freedom Church in Coningsby street would make an ideal site for a Carpark.

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littlewhitebull says...
7:42pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Yes, Biomech did report this well over a week ago. He even gave the actual date in a reply to a question I asked him - thanks.
HT does not seem very up to date. Also did not see (in a borrowed copy) any mention of why the HT price was increased by 50%. Surely, a brief explanation of why such an increase was necessary could have been included.
I am told by someone who worked in the newspaper industry that they cannot recall such an enormous increase in any newspaper before.

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William Rudd says...
10:14pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Welcome back Bobby.

williamrudd.... in all due respect have you ever been to hereford city on a sataurday? im guessing not! the words grid lock come to mind!

Nearly every Saturday.Gridlock?? I'd call it busy.

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Biomech says...
10:20pm Thu 28 Feb 13

It's easier to drive around London than it is most days in Hereford. Cardiff is like a Sunday in Hereford 20 years ago.
Manhatten was less congested also.

From my many travels, the only place I find worse than Hereford for congestion is the centre of Bristol.

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William Rudd says...
10:21pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Hey Dippy,have heard that alternative plans for the road and trees are being looked into before the application is heard on the 15th March.

Should drop the stupid proposal anyway as it will do nothing for congestion there.
The lights are on green for 14 seconds but in reality you could cut this time in half as most of the time you have to wait for traffic to clear from the right before you can move.
I'm in favor of turning the lights off all together as they serve no purpose.

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William Rudd says...
10:26pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Anyone notice the cctv cameras on Belmont 'roundabout' and newmarket Roundabout? Are they part of traffic management?

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Biomech says...
10:28pm Thu 28 Feb 13

No, but I have noticed the lights coming out of Asda have been staying on green almost twice as long the past few days

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Shadowstorm says...
8:37am Fri 1 Mar 13

I guess no one is up for walking then???? lazy herefordians........
....... ;)

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Clarkester says...
9:13am Fri 1 Mar 13

I used the multi-story for the first time about two weeks ago.
I parked right at the tippy-top of it.
Great views. I could see my old house, and everything.
I can report though, that the snowman I made up on the top, about 21 years ago, has indeed melted.
What was my point again?
Oh yes. I'm against this sort of thing!!!
And, save the Edgar Street Limes!!!

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littlewhitebull says...
10:33am Fri 1 Mar 13

William Rudd wrote:
Hey Dippy,have heard that alternative plans for the road and trees are being looked into before the application is heard on the 15th March.

Should drop the stupid proposal anyway as it will do nothing for congestion there.
The lights are on green for 14 seconds but in reality you could cut this time in half as most of the time you have to wait for traffic to clear from the right before you can move.
I'm in favor of turning the lights off all together as they serve no purpose.
Totally agree, William. Some weeks ago I reported that my firm has asked the council to look at this problem that has existed for ages and ages. Our vehicles are often held up for unreasonable lengths of time going south.
No problem going back north along Edgar Street.
The council believes that there is no problem, so can't see a reason to act. We have actually suggested they sit on the roundabout at the Edgar Street junction and watch the traffic going 'southwards' to get a real idea of the problem. Far too easy! Too cold?

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littlewhitebull says...
10:42am Fri 1 Mar 13

bobby47 wrote:
There's always one isn't there? My good friend Herefordian couldn't resist mocking the thousands who regularly gather, thrice weekly and participate in this rapidly growing pastime which he refers to as 'dogging'.
I'll be damned if I let this pass and not defend these good men and women who travel from across the region to spend their time and money in our City at a time when economic activity is so badly affecting our economy and future prosperity.
Rather than mock these thousands, I say, 'thank you visiting' and please come again!
Bobby, welcome back old mate!
Where have you been? Is your gran OK.? She still sounds like the girl of my dreams/nightmares.
I have been in this car park and I can assure no dogging have I seen! What sort of dogs are involved? Would my lovely Golden Retriever enjoy these activity sessions? I always clean up after her.
Presumably, you have been busy at the Palace giving out gongs as per your royal duties. Last time I went to the Palace they lost 2-0 to Hull.

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Biomech says...
12:52pm Fri 1 Mar 13

ShadowStorm, I'd happily walk to work :) First up... Coventry followed by Cheshire and Cardiff :P

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William Rudd says...
1:12pm Fri 1 Mar 13

A reply from Herefordshire Council regarding the Newmarket Roundabout...

The traffic signal system in Hereford is controlled by the SCOOT Urban Traffic Control System, that monitors vehicle flows across the City to provide the most efficient movement of vehicles across the network. Individual junctions have a set cycle of operation to ensure the save movements, with times for each arm of the junction determined by SCOOT upon assessment of traffic flows. The length of time for left turn from Station approach onto the bridge is also dependent upon whether pedestrians are crossing on the approach to the bridge. We cannot change these setting as conflictions with other traffic movements may occur leading to reduced safety.

Although the Edgar Street Roundabout is operated under the same SCOOT system, administration and thus ultimate decisions upon operation are for the Highways Agency as this is a trunk Road.

Something tells me this SCOOT system ain't working very well

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Biomech says...
1:26pm Fri 1 Mar 13

"that monitors vehicle flows across the City to provide the most efficient movement of vehicles across the network"

Well we know that's a lie, because ANY monitoring of traffic with dynamic switching would mean A: you wouldn't sit a queues of traffic while there is nothing going past and B: That the lights would not be on green for the same amount of time every time.

Someone has manually changed how long those lights are on green coming out of Asda this week.

What they do have, and is evident, is detection for when *A* car is at the lights (you'll see the cut marks in the road). So they will change to green if you pull up and there is no other system in control. This is noticable more at night APART FROM the 2 places mentioned (Asda and Edgar Street) where a fixed control system is in place.

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dippyhippy says...
2:52pm Fri 1 Mar 13

William Rudd wrote:
Hey Dippy,have heard that alternative plans for the road and trees are being looked into before the application is heard on the 15th March.

Should drop the stupid proposal anyway as it will do nothing for congestion there.
The lights are on green for 14 seconds but in reality you could cut this time in half as most of the time you have to wait for traffic to clear from the right before you can move.
I'm in favor of turning the lights off all together as they serve no purpose.
Hi William! Thanks so much for letting me have this information about the trees,its much appreciated! Still have a good length of chain in the shed though,just incase!

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dippyhippy says...
2:53pm Fri 1 Mar 13

William Rudd wrote:
Hey Dippy,have heard that alternative plans for the road and trees are being looked into before the application is heard on the 15th March.

Should drop the stupid proposal anyway as it will do nothing for congestion there.
The lights are on green for 14 seconds but in reality you could cut this time in half as most of the time you have to wait for traffic to clear from the right before you can move.
I'm in favor of turning the lights off all together as they serve no purpose.
Hi William! Thanks so much for letting me have this information about the trees,its much appreciated! Still have a good length of chain in the shed though,just incase!

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littlewhitebull says...
4:02pm Fri 1 Mar 13

William, Yes - the usual quotes from council. If they had taken a look this morning at about 11.30 a.m. they would have seen the problem quite clearly. They need to get out more and actually see the problem as we do on a regular basis.
Biomech is also right (again! stop it!) - Asda lights have been altered.
Those of us who travel about a bit, may have noticed that 'intelligent' traffic lights are used in many places. Flash your headlights on approach to lights at Welsh border at Pontrilas/Llangua and if no traffic coming t'other way the lights change to green almost immediately. Various other places use this system.

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dippyhippy says...
6:47pm Fri 1 Mar 13

There was workmen with a large truck on Asda roundabout on Monday. The traffic was horrendous going south, right across the city,as one of the lanes to turn into the supermarket was coned off. Don't know if this was anything to do with traffic lights.
I also walk practically everywhere. I am lucky enough to work about 30 minutes walk from where I live. Then I come home and walk the dog. Weekends I walk in the Brecon Beacons. I am 3 inches shorter than I was 2 years ago!!

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bobby47 says...
7:00pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Hello Dippy.

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Biomech says...
7:38pm Fri 1 Mar 13

I know dippy, that one small lane to go to Asda caused a backlog of traffic through the middle of town / blue school street and edgar street. Imagine what it will be like when they start major refurbishments!

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TwoWheelsGood says...
11:43pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Scoot is a chronically old and sick system, a legacy of the old Hfd & Worcs days, when it was managed from Worcester (it may still be) - they of course have a much more sophisticated version. The software should have been upgraded years ago, but no, short sighted cost cutting has left us with the less than dynamic system we have. Of course, the cynical may argue that it suits the present cabinet to preside over traffic chaos and frustration, making the case for a bypass much the easier for them to argue (not they'd listen to any opposition anyway).

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dippyhippy says...
4:34pm Sat 2 Mar 13

And "hello" to you Bobby! I note you haven't committed yourself to being chained to a tree yet, I have enough chain for both of us!! Only thing is, if we make the front page of the Hereford Times,our forum anonymity could be compromised!!
Yes, Biomech, I had a similar thought - all that chaos for one small lane,Hereford will grind to a halt once the work on the link road starts!

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