COST-CUTTING measures could lead to the loss of a car park in Axbridge.

COST-CUTTING measures could lead to the loss of a car park in Axbridge.

Property chiefs at Sedgemoor District Council are currently in talks with Somerset County Council over the future of the Moorland Street facility.

Strategic property manager Tim Mander said: "We are reviewing all car parks in terms of usage and income.

"Moorland is one which is underperforming. We do not get much income from it so we are looking at alternatives.

"There was a suggestion the county council was considering the possibility of extending the school site.

"As a result I wrote to them asking if this was the case.

"This got back to Axbridge Town Council, whose members were quite concerned as they had not been consulted.

"I am still waiting to hear back from Somerset County Council."

The county currently leases land next to the car park from the district council which is used for a nursery and an after school club.

Axbridge mayor Councillor Kate Browne said: "Building or development on that site would meet with a large number of objections from the townsfolk.

"As far as the town council is concerned we have a strategy that we should not lose any car parking spaces in Axbridge.

"On that basis we put the bid in to buy Meadow Street Car Park earlier this year. We will be keeping an eye on this."

The mayor added the issue would be discussed at a Town Hall meeting in January.

Somerset County Council said: "We are aware that the district council is considering its options regarding the future of the car park. It is standard procedure to offer it to other public bodies before putting it up for sale."

Axbridge First School Headteacher Gillian Briggs said she was unaware of any plans to expand the site.