Closure of car park raised by surveyed residents

The car park is the location of a stainless steel and bronze statue created by artist Damien Hirst in 2012

More than a third of people who responded to a survey about how to improve a Devon car park said they would like it to be closed, and the area to be fully pedestrianised.

The comments were made in a North Devon Council survey asking for suggestions on how to improve accessibility for vehicles and people to its 141-space Pier car park on Ilfracombe quay.

The council has devised a new layout that includes more pedestrian and disabled friendly areas and will be having discussions with the Ilfracombe Regeneration Board and other groups about the future of the site.

The survey did not specify the possibility of closing the car park, but 35% of responders felt removing it completely would be beneficial to the town.

Some responders said the space could be better used to give businesses room to place seating, fun fairs and other attractions.

They said a car park is not appropriate for such a "showpiece location" and is not "user-friendly", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"It’s busy, small and dangerous during busy times," said one resident.

"Along with that, when the boats come in, there is total madness. I don’t know how people have not been injured."

'Community to decide'

The council received 169 responses to its consultation, with about 35% calling for the car park to be removed and the area pedestrianised for alternative uses such as a market, pop-up stalls or fairs.

The council’s strategy and resources committee said it shouldn’t be their decision to close the car park but for the community to decide through a wider consultation.

Councillor Malcolm Prowse said there needs to be a wider strategy for car parking and traffic, and the Pier car park could not be looked at in isolation.

Members agreed they should continue looking at a business case to make the car park safer but would hold off spending money until further discussions had taken place with organisations in the town.