Store plans to limit time in its car park

Mar 12 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A SUPERMARKET which wants to expand would impose a time limit on parking to help deal with extra traffic.

An application by Asda for a two-storey extension to its superstore in North Road, Boldon Colliery, will be decided by South Tyneside councillors on Friday.

It would be the second extension to the store.

The new extension would increase sales floorspace by 16% but the number of car parking spaces will remain at 738.

It is estimated that the extra sales area is likely to generate a 5% increase in traffic.

Asda is proposing a car park management scheme which would involve a maximum duration of stay of two and a half hours.

Planners say: “The introduction of a car park management plan and its enforcement would prevent long-stay parking, and ensure a turnover of spaces for shoppers.

“The main criterion of the duration of stay is not to prevent customers of Asda parking and using the facilities, but the potential abuse by non-customers using the car park for the day.”

An Asda spokesman said yesterday that there would be “an element of enforcement”. He added: “ It would be used very sparingly.

“There would be signage in the car park about the two and a half hours limit which we estimate is enough to do a shop and perhaps visit other nearby shops.”

Councillors are being advised to back the extension.

A survey of store staff, outlined in a travel plan submitted by Asda, found that 21% of staff live within a mile of the store and 43% within two to three miles.

In travelling to work, 63% of staff use a car, 17% use a bus, 19% walk and 1% cycle.

The proportion of staff who live within three miles and use the car is considered to be high and the travel plan will aim to reduce this number.

Also, 66% of staff surveyed use the customer car park.

Between Thursday and Sunday there are around 180 staff currently utilising the car park and Asda is proposing to introduce a staff car park permit scheme, whereby staff will be issued with a coloured disc to place in their windscreen.

The scheme will limit the number of staff allowed to park within the car park to 130 at peak times, providing customers with an additional 50 car parking spaces during peak trading times.

Town and Country Parking Ltd would manage and enforce the car park scheme.