Work starts on new car park for Alresford (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Work starts on new car park for Alresford

5:54pm Tuesday 30th June 2009 in

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WORK has begun to end Alresford’s chronic parking problem.

Civic chiefs, traders and local groups have got together to build a new public car park at Perins School.

Work started today to create the site at the secondary school off Jacklyns Lane.

Once completed, a footpath will cross the school field to the town centre, and then finally a new pedestrian crossing point at The Avenue will be built.

Most of the work, by Graham Moyse Contractors Ltd, is due to be completed by the end of the school summer holiday.

The car park and footway both include new lighting, and the car park and surrounding area will be landscaped.

It is the result of collaboration by several bodies, including every level of local government.

The Town Partnership believes it will improve safety for pedestrians.

The long-stay car park will cut vehicle movements in the town centre, and free short-term parking spaces for shoppers and visitors.

The path across the playing field will link the town centre with the residential area to the south west of the school. The hope is that it will reduce car journeys into the town centre.

Dr Nigel Paterson, chairman of the Alresford Town Partnership, said: “With the emphasis on the word ‘Partnership’, I must thank those who have been such willing partners. We are most grateful to Perins, Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council, New Alresford Town Trust, New Alresford Town Council, The Alresford Society, the Alresford Chamber of Commerce, Bighton Parish Council, the Watercress Line and, not least, SEEDA.”

The partners – all of whom are helping to fund the project - have benefited from a grant from the South East England Development Agency’s Small Rural Towns Fund, and from contributions by local property developers.