Stratford-on-Avon District Council is warning bikers visiting Stratford-upon-Avon to park in the designated motorcycle park or face a parking charge notice.
The newly remodelled Bancroft Gardens and Waterside in Stratford-upon-Avon are proving popular and the open nature of the area allows easy public access. However motorcycle users have also felt the space is available for parking; although alternative parking is available at the designated motorcycle park at Bridgeway, just 2 minutes away and there is free parking on-street and in the off-street car parks.
This use of the land owned by Stratford District Council is unauthorised and has resulted in the District Council entering into a contract with UK Parking Control Ltd.
The contract in place enables UK Parking Control Ltd to record registration numbers of the motorcycles concerned and issue them with parking charge notices through the post; and a substantial number of parking charge notices have now been issued and paid.
"The new layout for Bancroft Gardens is designed to create a high quality contemporary landscape within the historic setting of the gardens and whilst the District Council recognises and appreciates the attraction that the bikers bring to the town, this self-appointed tourist attraction is not above the law and the District Council will not fail in its duty to enforce the parking restrictions for the benefit of the majority of residents and visitors alike. The District Council welcomes bikers to the town, but in the designated parking areas," says Cllr Vince Seaman, Resources Portfolio for Stratford District Council.
"It is anticipated that as more and more parking charge notices are issued and as word of this spreads amongst the motorcycle owners concerned, then the message that the District Council is serious in its endeavours to prevent this use will become more widespread. We are however aware of the numbers of motorcyclists still contravening the parking restrictions on the area and at our request our contractors are stepping up their presence at peak times, giving a clear message to motorcyclists that they should not park on the area. Also failure to pay the issued parking charge notice will result in further action being taken through the courts, which may incur additional costs for the recipient."
As the land is privately owned and is not part of the highway it falls outside the off-street parking places order and is not covered by parking regulations enforcement; therefore it is not in the jurisdiction of the District Councils civil enforcement officers.
The £3 million re-landscaping project has been funded by Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency which has supported the World Class Stratford project to reinforce the towns position as a major centre of domestic and international tourism. The design work for the Gardens has been undertaken by Land Use Consultants who developed the 1930s Art Deco approach following consultation with local stakeholders. The concept seeks to present a contemporary design respectful but not constrained by its historical setting, to achieve the aspirations of the original Waterfront Masterplan, but also enable further opportunity to integrate the design into other developing regeneration initiatives in the town. The final 1930s inspired design solution has been described as, stylish, simple, contemporary, functional and durable.
