Car park shuts for revamp amid new charges plan

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

A Leicestershire car park has closed for renovation works ahead of planned new charges coming into effect.

The car park at Bouskell Park in Blaby is expected to be closed for months, according to council officials.

This work comes after Blaby District Council put forward plans to introduce car parking charges to help towards the cost of maintaining and enhancing the site.

The car park, off Welford Road, closed on Monday and is expected to reopen in early 2025, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

The works will include clearly marked bays, extra accessible parking spaces, low level lighting and a new surface, the council said.

The parking fees proposal is to be re-examined by officials and a public consultation on the car park charging plan has now been halted, the LDRS said.

This is because the decision has been "called in" to the next scrutiny meeting of the council, meaning it will be looked at again.

Councillors who made the call-in said the move to introduce charges to "plug the gap" in council finances should not be considered even though the authority faces a "challenging financial position".

The LDRS said the proposals had caused much concern, with some fearing nearby streets would be "lined" with cars aiming to avoid payment.

The main gates will be closed throughout the renovation works, but the council said pedestrian access to the park would remain available at all times.

Anyone requiring alternative car parking is advised to use the Johns Court and Enderby Road car parks.