Published: January 31, 2008
Anger over district council's bid to sell-off Highbridge car park

A Highbridge councillor has hit out at Sedgemoor District Council's plans to sell off Bank Street Car Park in the centre of the town.

Cllr Joe Leach's comments come after the cash-strapped district council this week advertised the car park (pictured) for sale.

"The council has shown its lack of aforethought in considering this area for sale," Cllr Leach told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday (January 30th).

"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 guarenteed 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."

"Another issue to take into account is the horrendous traffic problems in Highbridge due to the cars parked in Church Street ever since Normans Car park was removed. This parking issue will surely escalate should the council sell this invaluable asset."