THE upper floors of Weston’s Carlton Street Car Park will remain closed for the foreseeable future after a recent survey uncovered structural concerns.

The lifts are also in need for replacing.

The lower levels, Levels 1 and 1a, were also assessed and will remain open.

North Somerset Council is exploring its options for legal action in relation to the construction and ownership of the building, in which it leases.

The upper levels are expected to be closed for a number of months.

Cllr Hannah Young, executive member with responsibility for parking services at North Somerset Council, said: “The safety of Carlton Street car park users is paramount and it’s necessary for us to close the upper floors while we assess our options. 

“We have extended the opening hours of other car parks nearby and there are good public transport links into the town.

“We will also monitor demand and traffic impacts and if there are ongoing problems will look at anything else we can do to help reduce impacts of the partial closure.

“We are in talks with legal advisers and expert surveyors and are exploring all options with the aim of reopening the car park as soon as possible.”

 

Alternative options

 

 

Visitors are encouraged to use public transport to reduce pressure on town centre roads and parking.

Regular Weston bus services include the 1, 5, 6, 7, 20, X1, X5, 125 and 126.

The town centre is only a few minutes’ walk from the train station.

Alternative parking choices include The Sovereign, which has over 800 spaces.

One hour parking is £1.30 and 24 hours is £10.00.

To meet extra demand, opening hours will be extended to 11pm Sunday – Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Long-stay parking is available at only £6 for four to 24 hours at Locking Road.

Evening parking is free of charge at Weston seafront.

EV charging points are available at Melrose car park on the seafront and at Worle Diamond Batch station car park.

The council will monitor demand and traffic pressures as a result of the Carlton Street closure.

If demand is too high, it will explore options for opening Dolphin Square, which would provide spaces for up to 200 additional vehicles.