Cash well spent

11:13am Thursday 1st May 2008

IN response to Mick Byrne's letter (April 18) about the refurbishment of the multi-storey car park: Mr Byrne queries the extent of the refurbishment works, and whether or not they will prove to be a worthy investment.

The work that has been agreed deals with structural defects and water ingress, better lighting and the installation of a 24-hour recorded CCTV system to improve security. If these are not worthwhile investments please let me know what is.

The situation regarding Thiyan is regrettable. However, we are taking professional advice to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.

Mr Byrne goes on to refer to my insistence that parking is kept free as "laughable". However he is missing the point that, in planning the refurbishment work, we have had to ensure that we are not in breach of our obligations under the covenants for the multi-storey car park.

We are not introducing charges - not because as Mr Byrne insists we are bad at business but because of specific covenants. I would like to draw attention to three in particular that we are currently bound by: Firstly, we cannot use the car park as anything other than a public car park for the parking of private motor vehicles and to keep the same open to the public at all times.

Secondly, we are not to levy any charge whatsoever in respect of the parking of motor vehicles by members of the public.

Thirdly, we are not to impose any rules regulations or restrictions relating to the minimum or maximum period for parking in the car park other than between the hours of 9am-6pm.

The transformation of Trowbridge into the modern, exciting county town that the residents deserve is something that we should all support. Plans are very well advanced, and developers will be moving on site at various points soon.

West Wiltshire District Council has a responsibility to spend taxpayers money correctly and shrewdly. The upgrades to the multi-storey car park, and the larger package of works planned for Trowbridge, show that we are doing this effectively.

CLLR GRAHAM PAYNE, Leader, West Wiltshire District Council