R HA asks for Carlisle ban to be delayed
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CARLISLE District Council has accepted the recommendation from its planning committee to close the Sands car park in the town centre before the driver accommodation at the new security park on Kingstown Industrial Estate is ready. 'Despite the fact that the security park proprietor Vanguard lnterstop Parking Ltd is providing a free minibus service between the park and existing overnight accommodation in the town, there are fears that it will not be used.
Mr Dennis Le Conte, the RHA northern secretary, has expressed fears that because of the closure, and the high cost of the Kingstown park — from 80p to £1.80 per night— there would be an overspill Of lorries into Carlisle streets. He asked the Carlisle Council to delay the closure and give some time for national publicity to reach hauliers. It was first reported in CM on July 19. Mr Le Conte said: "If the alternative facilities were adequate, we would support the ban."
Mr A. Graham, of the Carlisle policy and resources committee, has expressed the hope that insurance firms will insist that hauliers use the Kingstown park.
A report that long-distance drivers would boycott Carlisle rather than use the new security park was dismissed by Mr Graham. "They can boycott it," he said, "rather than have them litter the streets." Nevertheless, Carlisle's Chamber of Trade has expressed concern over the possible loss of trade to the city. Mr R. Jenkins, an official of the Chamber, said that they were to investigate the problem.