More on-street parking planned after NCP closures

Plans to increase the number of on-street parking spaces in Leicester's Cultural Quarter have been unveiled after the closure of a National Car Parks (NCP) site in the area.

Leicester City Council highways bosses said they hoped to create 32 spaces by removing double yellow lines on a number of streets and replacing them with pay-and-display bays.

Concerns about access to parking in the area were raised after the Rutland Centre car park shut at the end of March after operator NCP went into administration.

The authority said the move was one of a number of measures planned to mitigate the loss of the NCP spaces in the Cultural Quarter.

Officials also plan to extend the time people can park on-street in the area from three hours to five.

A consultation on the measures will take place but, if they are approved, the council hopes they will come into force in the summer.

In the short term, the council said it will temporarily convert 11 pay-and-display spaces in the Cultural Quarter into disabled parking bays later this month.

It said this would help disabled visitors to Curve theatre who had used the nearby NCP Rutland Centre site.

The council said the increase in parking in the Cultural Quarter was part of an £800,000 package of highways improvements it is carrying out in the area.

That includes resurfacing footpaths, lifting kerbs and redesigning drains.

Opposition city councillors have urged the Labour-run council to consider taking over the Rutland Centre car park and other former NCP car parks in Abbey Street and East Street.

They also closed on March 27, along with the Lee Circle NCP car park.

The council said it was reluctant to take on loss-making car parks.

Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: "The Cultural Quarter boasts some of the city's most popular visitor attractions and is a busy hub for workers and residents.

"There are several car parks within a few minutes' walk, but we know that the closure of the Rutland Centre car park has hit people with disabilities wanting to visit the area.

"We are therefore taking immediate action to increase the number of dedicated disabled parking spaces in the Cultural Quarter, prior to removing parking restrictions across the wider area and creating more pay-and-display bays.

"Important maintenance works are also under way in the area to remove signs of wear and tear and ensure the footpaths are in good shape for years to come.

"We are also taking the opportunity to upgrade some of the materials used to create a more welcoming and attractive environment for residents, visitors and local businesses."

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