Newark and Sherwood District Council plans to replace Kirkgate taxi ranks with short-stay parking approved unanimously

Plans to remove four taxi spaces on Kirkgate, Newark, in favour of short-term parking were approved unanimously at a committee meeting.

The move is in contrast to the views of taxi companies and cab users consulted who wanted the Kirkgate spaces to be used for taxis again after they were given over for short-term parking during covid.

However, the move is in line with the thoughts of businesses who feel that having permanent temporary parking in the town centre would be a boost to trade and footfall.

It was at a meeting of the district council's general purposes committee in June this year that councillors floated the removal of the Kirkgate taxi ranks to provide parking spaces for shoppers for up to 30 minutes.

During the early months of the pandemic, temporary traffic regulations were introduced.

It resulted in the closure of Middlegate, resulting in some parking areas being no longer available.

To compensate, Kirkgate taxi rank designation became temporary parking with limited waiting.

A consultation within Newark licensed drivers, businesses and residents followed the June meeting and the results were reported back to the committee last week for final decision.

Committee member Sue Saddington said: “I was approached by the business people in the town and I think it is imperative that this be moved to a permanent little parking place for people.

“We all know that after covid restrictions where we were all locked down the town suffered and clearly is still being suffered.”

The rank on Middlegate is used to predominantly for pick ups during the day and at night, while the Castlegate rank largely serves an evening clientele.

Mrs Saddington added: “If this becomes a place where people can park for a short period of time, nip to the market, buy their vegetables, come back with fairly heavy stuff and they haven’t got far to walk.

“I would like to see this as a permanent feature and I hope the committee will support it for the sake of Newark business and market.”

Also that Kirkgate does not have enough parking spaces and that other ranks in town, including Middlegate are being misused.

Councillor Peter Harris said: “I support the notion of making the Kirkgate area for short-term parking, I think that would be helpful to visitors and shoppers in the town.

“It’s a short stay, maybe 30 minutes is the right length of time, I’ll leave that to local members from Newark to determine but I do think it is a deterrence when you don’t have short-stay parking as we have found in Southwell.”