Councillor calls for shopping area and park and ride in Whitehaven

Councillor Graham Roberts of the town council has called for a park-and-ride system for vehicles and a fully pedestrianised shopping area.

He says there are not sufficient parking facilities in the town, which is affecting the shopping areas of the town where in most places cars are still able to travel.

Mr Roberts also claims that people do not take advantage of the public transport services that operate around the Whitehaven area.

He explained that in other parts of Cumbria, they have lost some of their public transport services and it is a case of 'use it or lose it.'

He said: "I don't think the issues have ever been sorted out and I would like to see something similar to what Workington has, people don't have the parking access they need.

"There's a ring road through the town with the cars going round and round, I see people driving around looking for a place to park their car. 

"There seems to be so many of them but no clearly defined area. I would like to see a pedestrian area for the shoppers, wherever you go in Whitehaven there's a car either to the side of you or in front of you and I think that's one of the things that stop people shopping in Whitehaven.

"I think there should be a better traffic management system and better accommodation for the cars and improve the parking facilities. 

"There's plenty of public transport but people won't use it and I don't think it is being used enough. 

"It would be good to see pick up and drop off areas like I've seen in other towns, similar to a park and ride system."

In other parts of Cumbria like Workington Mr Roberts has praised the parking and pedestrianised facilities. 

Nowadays Workington has a large area in the town centre that is fully pedestrianised with a range of shops all within walking distance from one another. 

Mr Roberts believes that a similar model could be of benefit to the people of Whitehaven by helping to bring more shoppers into the town centre.