LINEN Street multi-storey car park in the heart of Warwick is to close – leaving a headache for council chiefs and residents.
The landmark structure is some 50 years old and is not worth repairing according to a report which was set to be considered by Warwick District Council’s Executive yesterday (Wednesday).
Repairs needed to the 237 capacity car park have been estimated at nearly £440,000 – which would only extend its life by three years.
As a result no repairs will be made in the coming year but the car park, which is open seven days a week, will be inspected monthly and is expected to shut completely within 12 months.
But the closure is still set to leave the council with a financial headache.
The report estimates it could cost as much as £500,000 to demolish the structure as it is in such a built up area.
And the car park also houses the CCTV system for the town, which it is estimated would cost at least £20,000 to move – and possibly more. The report recommends further investigation.
It would also cost around £5,000 to secure the closed down car park against trespassers.
Residents could also face a parking headache as 30 spaces are currently made exclusively for the use of households in Martinique Square, and a further 41 have been promised to future residents of proposed housing at the old Warwick Print Works on Theatre Street.
A decade ago the car park was branded one of the ugliest in Britain in a book published by the AA. It was compared to the dungeon at nearby Warwick Castle.
The committee was expected to agree to spend £20,000 on a study into future car parking needs across the district.
And the committee was also set to spend £120,000 on repairs and improvements needed to St Peter’s multi-storey in Leamington. With the investment St Peter’s could continue to provide 400 spaces for the next 20 years with regular annual maintenance.
