Should car park on the quay be closed?

A survey by North Devon Council seeking suggestions to improve accessibility at its 141-space Pier car park in Ilfracombe has revealed mixed opinions. 

One-third of respondents support closing the car park entirely to create a fully pedestrianised area, enhancing access for people walking to the pier.

The council has devised a new layout which includes more pedestrian and disabled friendly areas but will be having discussions with the Ilfracombe Regeneration Board (IRB) and other groups about the future of the site.

Some local people feel that removing the car park would give businesses room to place seating, well as for funfairs and other attractions.

They said a car park is not appropriate for such as “showpiece location” and is not user-friendly.

“It’s busy, small and dangerous during busy times,” said one resident. “Along with that, when the boats come in there is total madness. I don’t know how people have not been injured.”

The council received 169 responses to its consultation, with one in three (35 per cent) requesting an all-round pedestrian walkway to give protection from  vehicles, better access to pay machines for blue badge holders and an increase in disabled bays, with them moved away from the main entrance.

Around the same proportion called for the car park to be removed and the area pedestrianised for alternative uses such as a market, pop-up stalls or fairs.

The council’s strategy and resources committee recognised that there is not enough parking in Ilfracombe especially during the summer, but suggested a park and ride system could be brought in or traffic directed to the larger car parks on the east of the town.

They said it shouldn’t be their decision to close the car park but for the community to decide through a wider consultation.

In a report for the committee, Ilfracombe harbourmaster Georgina Carlo-Paat said removing the car park would have a significant financial impact on local businesses and the town as a whole.

The car park also brings in an income for North Devon Council.

She said from October to March, the area is required to act as winter boat storage.

The harbour is open to weather fronts with no breakwater or lock to prevent weather damage to boats. Owners are reluctant to leave boats in the harbour and insurance companies are very reluctant to insure Ilfracombe’s vessels over the winter, she said. There was no alternative area for boat storage.

Cllr Malcolm Wilkinson (Lib Dem, Mortehoe) said he understands the need to remove the car park as access and safety is a “massive problem.”

Cllr Malcolm Prowse (Ind, Bratton Fleming) said there needs to be a strategy for car parking and traffic, and the Pier Car Park could not be looked at in isolation.

Members agreed that they should continue looking at a business case to make the car park safer but would hold off spending money until further discussions had taken place with organisations in the town.