To receive an update on the parking situation around the town centre.

Neil Walter, Parking and Enforcement Manager, explained that due to the numerous redevelopment projects around the town centre, a number of on street parking bays had been removed. Disabled parking had been affected and work had been undertaken with the Disability and Inclusion Forum to relocate these bays to various other locations. Some of the impact had been from Covid measures, for example wider pavements and cycle lanes, most of which was still in place. Decisions would be made on whether to make these schemes more long term. Car parks around the town centre were open like normal, with multi story car parks being particularly quiet. Surface level car parks and the site at the Landings had proven to be popular spots for residents and visitors to park when visiting the town centre.

Linda Lesley, a local resident, said that there was hardly any on street short term parking left. Availability on West Street was very limited and residents might want to use short term bays to pick up things, for example Click and Collect services. However, residents would now need to pay for at least 1 hour of parking. This was not encouraging residents and visitors to shop in Maidenhead.

Neil Walter said that there was no net loss of the time limited waiting bays. The bays that had been lost had been relocated elsewhere in the town, for example on Queen Street, King Street, St Ives Road, York Road and Bridge Street. There was no net loss on the overall number of bays available to residents.

Councillor Taylor mentioned that there were half hour bays available at the bottom of the Nicholsons Shopping Centre. Neil Walter confirmed that there some available but they were not free.

Councillor Baldwin questioned Neil Walters claim of there being no net loss of bays and asked if it really was net zero. Residents were saying that it was harder to park so he was surprised if this was true.

Neil Walter explained that the loss of parking space due to the reallocation of the disabled bays had been repositioned elsewhere. This meant there was no net loss due to the disabled bays being moved. Residents generally preferred to park in surface car parks. Regeneration was the main cause for the lack of space.

Councillor Singh said that bays in areas like Bridge Street were well used. Businesses on the road had put forward a proposal to change the stretch of road to one way to maximise parking and the permanent space available.

Neil Walter said that he assumed existing bus routes would be the main issue. The Highways team would be able to review the feasibility of the proposal.

Councillor Hill asked if the RBWM parking strategy was likely to change. Parking had been lost at the Town Hall, Grove Road car park would soon be going and the Landings site was only temporary.

Neil Walter said that residents preferred surface level car parks. Regeneration did not include loss of the parking and Nicholsons Shopping Centre car park would soon be the main place for parking.

Councillor Hill said it was important to consider other trades, for example plumbers and electricians, who also needed to park around the town.

Neil Walter suggested it was worth discussing with the Cabinet Member for Parking, Councillor Cannon.

Councillor Stimson said that due to the amount of regeneration going on around the town centre, residents needed to get used to parking in different places. Other car parks would still be close to shops and other businesses in the town centre.

Linda Lesley said that she did not understand the logic, multi-story car parks were harder to access and more confusing to use. She had recently visited Marlow and found the parking situation there to be a really pleasant experience. The parking situation in Maidenhead was discouraging people from visiting the town.

Councillor Singh said that the car park on Reform Road was very quiet and asked if the council was able to let people use the car park.

Neil Walter clarified that Councillor Singh was talking about the Clyde House car park, which was a council owned building. There was no reason why the public could not use the car park at the current time.