Four hour length of stay restriction proposed for part of Whitby Park car park

Cheshire West and Chester Council is proposing to introduce a four-hour length of stay restriction in part of the Whitby Park car park in Ellesmere Port following feedback during a consultation earlier this year.

The eight-week consultation on the proposal took place between 6 February and 1 April this year and the feedback received helped to develop the introduction of the restriction.

The restriction would apply on weekdays only between 8am and 6pm to free up spaces in the car park for park users.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, Councillor Christine Warner said:

“The Council wants to deter non-park users from parking for lengthy periods and to protect the park for its intended use, by making access easier for park users.

“We wanted to seek a balance with all the views expressed during the consultation, most people were against the original proposal to restrict the whole car park to stays of a maximum of four hours. 

“So, a length of stay restriction would be introduced for approximately two thirds of spaces to protect them for park users and users of other facilities at the site, while the remaining third would not be subject to a length of stay restriction. The layout of the site is such that it is possible to have distinct areas, the two sections would be clearly marked.”

The length of stay restriction applying to two-thirds of the car park would be introduced and managed by a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). A Public Notice proposing the restriction will be published on 5 December 2024. This will give up to 10 January 2025 for objections or comment.

Following the proposed introduction of the length of stay restriction for approximately 66% of the spaces, the availability of spaces for park or leisure facility users would be monitored and the situation kept under review.

Any impact on the use of Wellington Road Car Park (on Wellington Road North), a free alternative car park, would be monitored, as well as any potential displacement of parking onto residential streets adjacent to the park.

It is proposed that the remainder of the car park would not be subject to a length of stay restriction, but a TRO would allow control of incorrect use of disabled persons’ bays and other inappropriate parking, such as parking outside of the designated bay markings across the whole site.

A report containing the findings of the consultation can be found on the Council's website: 

Whitby Park car park consultation | Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Pictured - Whitby Park car park.