Published: February 3, 2008
Council urged not to sell off 'vital' car park in Highbridge town centre

Concerned councillors and traders in Highbridge launched a campaign on Saturday (February 2nd) to save Bank Street Car Park from closure, saying the facility is "vital" to the future of town centre businesses.

Burnham-On-Sea.com reported last week how the busy car park faces the axe by Sedgemoor District Council as part of its continuing financial cutbacks caused by its £1.8m funding shortfall.

A large section of the car park are set to be lost if the council can find a developer to buy the land.

Highbridge district councillor Joe Leach and Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Tessa Munt (pictured above) visited the car park on Saturday (February 2nd) to hear traders' concerns about the potentially negative impact on their businesses.

Tessa Munt told Burnham-On-Sea.com at Saturday's launch: "Highbridge is in enough trouble as it is. The last thing it needs is to lose this essential town centre car park."

"Parking is needed for businesses to stay alive here. The shoppers will simply drain away if there is nowhere for them to park. It's utter madness that Sedgemoor is even considering the sale of this facility."

Local traders are up in arms that the sell-off is being considered. Salvatore La Gambina of the Salvo's Italian Restaurant and Arthur Dormer of Highbridge DIY both met Cllr Leach at the car park (as pictured above) on Saturday.

"Selling off the car park would definitely hit businesses like mine here in Highbridge," said Mr Gambina. "Why would the council want to sell off the land for more houses and flats when there are so many on the market that can't be sold?"

And Mr Dormer added: "This car park is essential for local businesses. It's disgusting that the council is thinking about the selling it."

Cllr Leach, who is leading the campaign to save the car park, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It seems rather disjointed that this council talks of raising revenue from excess charges and extra parking costs when in fact it's talking of getting rid of one of the sources it can gain the extra income from."

"Car parks are a guaranteed income for every council, and although Bank Street isn't used to its full capacity, it does not justify ridding it completely. I also feel compelled to warn the council that the sale of this asset will be felt throughout the whole town, as there will be no other real car park for Highbridge Town Centre, and this will be the final straw that will kill off any trade in our town."

Our photos show (top) parliamentary candidate Tessa Munt with Cllr Joe Leach and (below) Cllr Leach with Highbridge businessmen Arthur Dormer and Salvatore La Gambina