An average of 800 to 1,000 motorists are now using the Broad Marsh Car Park each day. Nottingham City Council says the usage data has recently become more "encouraging" after it was reported in January a little over 200 cars were using the multi-million pound site.
The new car park and bus station, which will eventually feature a new Central Library, opened at the end of last year. Its opening had been tainted by the collapse of shopping centre giant intu, with hopes for the new car park to compliment its vision to regenerate the former Broadmarsh Centre before it entered administration.
Concerns had therefore been voiced that not enough people would use the £50m car park and bus station to justify its use, prompting the Labour-run council to say it may have to change its use. Coupled with a confusing layout which left numerous motorists with bus gate fines, the car park had a tumultuous start to life.
In January usage data revealed an average of just 243 motorists were using the 1,300-space car park, with weekly figures averaging around 1,700. In an update as of August 2022 however, the council says "three-times" as many people are now using it.
Councillor Audra Wynter, portfolio holder for highways, transport and parks at Nottingham City Council, said: “We’ve been really pleased with the new Broad Marsh car park since it opened at the end of last year. It’s a modern, safe, secure building with state-of-the-art facilities, including electric charging points and contactless payment options which are popular with motorists.
“Usage figures have been really encouraging. It will always take a little while for any new car park to build capacity, but we’re now seeing monthly totals more than three times where they were back in January – between 800 and 1,000 vehicles a day during the week."
The monthly and weekday usage data shows a fairly promising rise in numbers, as follows;
Monthly totals
April – 14,615
May – 17,987
June – 17,161
July – 24,711
Average weekday usage
April – 551
May – 702
June – 672
July – 825
Councillor Wynter added: “Drivers continue to take advantage of our early-bird offer, which sees all-day parking available for just £5 providing people arrive before 9.30am. Broad Marsh is in a prime location, close to shops and attractions, and we look forward to welcoming more people in the coming weeks and months.”
The more positive outlook comes as a new pathway is constructed through the former Broadmarsh Centre ruins. This area will one day become the so-called 'Green Heart' which will feature a sapling from the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest.
The council has also submitted a revised bid to the Government as it seeks to land money from its Levelling Up fund, to help redevelop the remainder of the shopping centre which still stands to this day.
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