Councillor Bob Wright Raises Concerns Over University Technical College Parking Provision

I am supportive of the University Technical College and the site they have chosen for the college. However with only four parking spaces on the college’s site and no designated parking provision as yet found for users of the college, I am concerned about the parking implications of this college if the Council does nothing to address this matter

Central Ward Councillor, Bob Wright, has raised concerns about the parking provision for the future University Technical College (UTC) which will be within the Central Ward.

The Planning Committee approved the UTC planning application at its meeting on the 9th of July, however this planning application only has four parking spaces on the site of the UTC, which are designated for disabled drivers. When it reaches full capacity the UTC will have 600 students on site and 70 members of staff.

Councillor Wright made clear to the Planning Committee on the 9th July and to planning officers that appropriate parking provision near to the UTC has to be made available to its users otherwise parking chaos in the area could develop.

Councillor Wright is due to meet with the Cabinet Member for Highways and council transport officers on the 5th of August to review the parking situation for the UTC. 

Central Ward Councillor, Bob Wright, said:  “I am supportive of the University Technical College and the site they have chosen for the college. However with only four parking spaces on the college’s site and no designated parking provision as yet found for users of the college, I am concerned about the parking implications of this college if the Council does nothing to address this matter. In particular, I am concerned about residents living in the Central Swindon area being affected by a poorly planned parking scheme for this college.

With their being inadequate parking provision on the college’s site, I will be meeting the Cabinet Member for Highways to discuss alternative parking arrangements.  At this meeting I will be strongly recommending that a section of a council-run car park near to the college be designated for college users. The two car parks that particularly could be used because of their close proximity to the college would be the Brunel Multi-Story Car Park where its top floor is infrequently used or the Davis Place Car Park, which is currently planned to be closed by the Conservative administration.
 
If the Council offered attractive pricing to University Technical College staff and students to use either of these sites, then I believe not only would this generate an income to the Council, but it would be convenient for future college staff and students with close access to the college and would prevent parking chaos for residents living within the Central Swindon area.
 
I look forward to resolving this issue when I meet with the Cabinet Member on the 5th of August.”