Parking Report
I attended a meeting on April 23rd as Chairman of the Solva Business Group.
Present were Alan Hare, Hugh Bowen and Phil Lees of National Parks,Jenny Davies, Chair of Solva Community Council and James Pollock, clerk to Solva Community Council.
Alan confirmed the good news that some of the money granted by the European Convergence Fund would be spent on improving Solva Car Park. Much of this would need to be spent on repairing what may lie beneath the tarmac, as the tides have been gradually undermining the car park by washing the fines away, leading to subsidence. This would need to be investigated to see what measures need to be taken.
Several possible improvements were suggested, and this illustrated the need for much consultation while plans are being drawn up. They included:
the creation of a more definite path along the river side of the car park, to join up with the coast path leading along the quay
better seating which could also provide a barrier between path and cars,
possible improvements around the area of the pumping station,
general improvements to the entrance
better display and information about the remains of the Smalls Lighthouse
emphasising a safe pedestrian link with upper Solva to avoid the road
efficient marking out of the car park to maximise use and to improve traffic flow
Confirmation of the amount for money granted, investigation work into the structure and planning would take some time and it was suggested that work would not start until autumn 2011. The need to do the work during low season was stressed.
As this is two seasons away, I asked that the possibility of temporarily improving the car park could be looked at. The cost of re lining the car park was estimated at £2000. Burning off the old lines causes damage to the tarmac, although our old lines are so faded that it is possible that painting them out and re lining would work well enough. I suggested that two more seasons of charging with the car park marked out as it is is having an impact on our businesses and in this context the money spent on re marking the car park would be well spent. These issues have been discussed at length at various meetings and the existing problems can be summarised thus:
Many areas of the car park are unlined, in particular the gravel area furthest from the entrance and the large triangle shape towards the river. The natural inclination where no lines exist is to pull up to park and admire the view but to leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the next. This causes frustration when car parking spaces are in short supply. It was particularly noticeable when motor homes parked there as they tended to leave plenty of space right around and in front of them.
The temptation is to squeeze a car into the furthest point where the path to the quay starts. It’s already not a very noticeable pathway and when this is hidden visitors are more likely to try and walk up the road. The path to the quay is suitable for pushchairs and mobility aid users, but when cars are parked at this furthest corner access can get blocked.
The triangular area towards the river fills with as many as 10 cars. Once one or two cars park there, more join. As this area is not lined, cars tend not to leave enough space for those in designated bays to reverse out. This also happens in the middle of the gravel area, and on each end of the central marked section.
The above problems could be avoided by efficiently marking the entire car park so the only places to park are in lined bays.
Many cars drive into the car park and go straight on, ignoring the arrow directing them to the left. This causes problems at the narrow end of the car park as they turn the corner at the top and meet cars going the correct way. I believe this could be discouraged by having the central section in a herringbone pattern with the bays facing away from the entrance, meaning it is easy to pull into them when going the correct way round.
Solva Business Group has a member with access to computer programmes to efficiently line out difficult shaped areas such as the Harbour Car Park. It is hoped that we could be involved with the planning of the layout, and indeed hope that the PCC will support businesses in Solva by carrying out temporary improvements to offset the impact that charging has had on our businesses.
Charging will start on 24th May this year, and charges will remain as they were last year . Despite the negative financial affect that some businesses reported, charging is inevitable but I am pleased that so many of our comments have been listened to and taken into account.
First half hour free. This was working well in preventing cars parking in the street when short visits were intended.
60p 2 hours by far the most popular ticket type sold
4 hours £3 Full day £4
The staggered scale of charging was seen as being of benefit in increasing the turnover of spaces.
The removal of the charging signpost to avoid users looking for somewhere to pay after the attendant had left was working well.
It was recognised that self catering cottages and B&Bs that had guests staying over several days fell between the seasonal ticket and daily charges, and I’m pleased to say that a weekly ticket can be purchased this year directly from the attendant, £18.
Seasonal ticket are available for £35 or at the reduced rate of £10 for Lower Solva residents, those with regular work in Lower Solva, Senior Citizens or those with mobility issues in Upper Solva. The £10 ticket is valid for Solva car park only. The £35 ticket is valid in other National Park car parks. It is hoped to have the application form on this site to print off and apply. The attendants will not have the season ticket applications this year.
The good work of the attendants as ambassadors for Solva was praised, and their feedback to PCC was invaluable. They, after all, were at the ‘front line’ to see the unique problems of parking in Lower Solva.
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