PARKING in Old Town is expensive, insufficient and poorly sign-posted, angry traders have claimed.

The call for action came during a consultation staged at the Arts Centre on Devizes Road on Wednesday evening, when Swindon Borough Council bosses showed off maps of Old Town – asking for people’s ideas for potential solutions to the area’s parking problems.

The event was called by the council and the Old Town Business Association, as part of ongoing consultations over plans for parking in the town centre..

The meeting came after businesses-owners complained that existing car parks at Britannia Place, Prospect Place, Dammas Lane and on-street parking on Wood Street was insufficient, poorly signed and expensive.

Old Town Business Association’s Kris Talikowski, who has run The Core juice bar for the last four-and-a-half years, called for more parking spaces and the introduction of one-hour free parking in Old Town.

“Old Town is one of the only places where you can’t park for free. If you want to encourage shoppers and independent retailers, you must do that by allowing people to frequently use those businesses.

“I think it’s great the council are finally engaging [with businesses and residents]. I just hope a solution comes soon.”

Council officers said that they planned further consultation with residents and businesses before a paper on town centre car parking plans is put before councillors later this year or in early 2018.

“We’re not putting anything on the table yet other than these maps,” said Mark Walker, town centre locality lead at Swindon Borough Council. [Tonight’s event] is very much about listening and engaging.”

Nick Burns-Howell, a parish councillor for Old Town, said: “A lot of residents and local businesses have spoken to us about parking. So, coming here is a great way to hear their views.”

According to residents and businesses, the parking problems in Old Town have gone on for “years”.

Old Town resident Andy Fraser, 65, said he was concerned about the impact on parking of planned developments in the area, such as the hoped-for redevelopment of the Locarno on the High Street..

“It’s [the car parking] is terrible. It’s only going to get worse.”

Delivery vehicles not being able to access shops and restaurants have added further headaches for Old Town business-owners, said Shareen Campbell, of Los Gatos restaurant.

“It’s a real problem. A van only needs 10 minutes, but at the moment they’re breaking the law every time they stop off.”

Shareen, who also lives in Old Town, added that parking at home could be a struggle, saying that she and her husband regularly received fines on their terraced street. She estimated that they paid between £70 and £120 a month in parking fines.

Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon and whose offices are on Wood Street, said: “I think access for businesses is vitally important. Businesses tell me that 10 minute window for people to drop in and buy a bottle of wine or some meat vital to their business.”

What do you think of parking in Old Town and the town centre? Email: newsdesk@swindonadvertiser.co.uk.