Walsall in line for extra 726 car park spaces

Around two-thirds of parking in Walsall is provided by the private sector but the borough council has unveiled ambitious plans to consolidate its own car parks.

The authority's 10-year action plan which is now out for consultation proposes an extra 726 short-stay public parking spaces.

The document says that a new multi-storey car park is needed in the short term, while a second could be developed closer to 2026.

Both would be equipped with electrical vehicle charging points.

Several sites have been identified for the car park with the preferred option being Challenge Block near Hatherton Street.

Although, if that site could not be delivered, the second option would be to redevelop the Day Street car park but this would involve design complications to avoid becoming to overbearing on Walsall Leather Museum.

If a second multi-storey was needed in the future, a site referred to as the 'Intown' off Lichfield Road in the Civic Quarter has been earmarked.

Deputy council leader Adrian Andrew told the Express & Star: "Most of the parking in Walsall town centre, around two-thirds, is owned and controlled by the private sector.

"The council owns quite a few small sites and the overall plan is to consolidate a lot of those smaller car parks and look to deliver a big one.

"This has been on the cards for a while.

"If you go into Birmingham and park in a multi-storey it is safe, secure and well lit. That's the kind of ambition we should have for Walsall.

"The trouble is when you start naming sites the owners put another couple of noughts on the value."

Although Councillor Andrew indicated that a new council car park may not necessarily mean cheaper rates for town visitors.

He added: "We have tried things like free parking at Christmas but there is no evidence that increases the footfall. When you have got Tesco providing two hours' free that's enough for most people. Car parks also cost a lot of money to run with maintenance."

"It's all very well the tax ayer subsidising parking but what about the private sector as well. There needs to be some partnership working I think."