Technology will help Barnsley accommodate growing visitor numbers in town centre car parks

Barnsley needs to be prepared to handle many more visitors than the town centre currently accommodates within the next five years, the council believes, and they are drawing up a new car parking strategy to help cope with the numbers.
By Paul Whitehouse
Published 25th Jul 2019, 08:42 BST
Updated 26th Jul 2019, 13:30 BST
Digital solution: Technology will help council manage car parking spacesDigital solution: Technology will help council manage car parking spaces
Digital solution: Technology will help council manage car parking spaces

The town centre is in the midst of a regeneration project which will see the new Glassworks shopping and leisure centre emerge, along with the Lightbox library building, a new multi screen cinema and other attractions intended to draw more people into the area.

Further developments are expected to follow, with visitor levels by 2025 predicted to be “much more than they currently are” according to Coun Chris Lamb, who sits on the council’s ruling Cabinet.

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They have now approved a plan which will see town centre car parking developed to take account of increased visitor numbers, but also changing habits and the march of technology.

Many more people are expected to be using ultra-low emission and electric vehicles within the next few years and the authority is working on the principal there will be a growing public expectation that information about parking, and the ability to pay digitally, by 2025.

The council also wants a parking strategy which works in conjunction with its ‘active travel strategy’, which encourages people to use other modes of transport instead of just relying on private cars.

Related topics:Barnsley