NEWS RELEASE Bouskell Park improvements planned

NEWS RELEASE

Bouskell Park improvements planned

Improvements works are being planned to Bouskell Park car park to enhance the visitor experience.

The proposals include resurfacing and extending the existing car park to meet customer demand.

There will also be landscape improvements with low-level lighting installed to improve the look and feel of the park. Parking bays will be clearly marked including two accessible spaces.

Works, which could last around 12-16 weeks, are expected to start in October, weather permitting, with the car park area being closed and fenced off during the renovations. Pedestrians will still be able to access the park at all times.

Once it reopens, we are proposing to introduce car parking charges to help contribute towards the cost of maintaining and enhancing the park.

This aligns with our Car Parking Strategy and the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2024-34 which sets out a vision for the District's open spaces. Among the objectives is to ensure parks remain well managed for both nature and people and contribute to their own financial sustainability.

It is expected the opening times of the car park itself will remain 7am to 8.30pm in summer months and 7am to 7pm in winter but charges will only apply between 8am and 6pm.

A report outlining the changes to car parking orders will be taken to the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday September 16.

Cabinet Members will decide on whether to proceed with proposals which also include:

• Continuing to enforce car parking at Narborough station ticket office

• Allowing NHS permits for Northfield Medical Centre to be used at Enderby Road

• Introducing season tickets for Johns Court, Weavers Court and Enderby Road

• Enabling enforcement at potential future EV charging bays at Enderby and Huncote Leisure Centres

If the proposals are approved a statutory 21-day public consultation period will begin on Tuesday 1 October.

Councillor Nigel Grundy, Blaby District Council Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: "The refurbished car park at Bouskell will be a vast improvement to what is available for visitors currently and hopefully will enable us to expand facilities there. We realise introducing car parking charges will not be popular and we have not taken this decision lightly. However, the cost of maintaining the parkland itself, and now the refurbished car park, will need to be found from the Council's budget going forward.

"Our Parks and Open Spaces Strategy reinforces the importance of our green spaces for communities and wildlife alike. As a Council we want to make sure they are managed in the most appropriate and sustainable way. Part of that may involve other agencies taking on responsibility for their care. It is all about protecting these natural places for generations to come."