PEOPLE wishing to have their say on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s plans for future off-street parking locations in the town centre have just under a week to get their comments in.

The consultation on the draft Basingstoke Town Centre Parking Strategy runs until midday on Monday, November 14 and can be viewed at basingstoke.gov.uk/parking-strategy-consultation.

The borough council is one of the key providers of off-street parking in the town, with direct control of over 2,000 spaces. These are primarily surface-level car parks close to the town centre and the railway station, including the car park above The Malls shopping area.

The draft parking strategy focuses on providing the right number of parking spaces in the right locations to support the town centre economy, while also considering the aims of the town centre masterplan and climate change and air quality strategy in Basingstoke until 2040.

READ MORE: Council prepares draft parking strategy for Basingstoke as councillors share concerns

The consultation aims to understand people’s views on nine key themes highlighted in the strategy. These are:

• Ensuring the right level of importance and location of spaces • Ensuring the relative accessibility of parking spaces

• Sustainable travel provision and associated infrastructure (to support the distribution and number of parking spaces)

• Policy and guidance

• The development of a ‘Park and Stride’ approach to parking in certain locations in the town

• The accessibility of new development sites and associated public transport

• Electric vehicle charging

• Car clubs

• Air quality and technological impacts

SEE ALSO: Councillors raise concerns as county council set to make parking changes

Cabinet member for planning and infrastructure Cllr Jay Ganesh said: “The draft town centre parking strategy is an opportunity for people to give us their views on how we manage our parking stock and provide for parking in the future to enable more sustainable active travel and support the town centre through the town centre masterplan.

"I am keen to receive feedback to ensure we continue to meet people’s needs in the most effective and appropriate way, recognising changes in behaviour, both travel and retail and that some car parks are under-utilised.”

Alternatively, people can send their comments by email to transport@basingstoke.gov.uk or by letter to Transport Strategy Team, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, RG21 4AH.