Where Has The Free Parking Gone?????????????

What on earth is going on at St. John's Court Car Park? Have I missed something? I know that Tesco had permission to build their store but I have not seen anything from BANES or the Town Council stating that the good residents of Keynsham will lose its only free car parking? If I have missed a consultation document then I must apologise for my ignorance. However, I expect I'm not the only resident who has tried to use the car park to be greeted by the wire perimeter fence surrounding the building site.

I understand that it will take 10 months to complete the building work, so will that mean we will be without free parking for this length of time. Or is it the case we will never get our free car park back. Since the fences and barriers went up parking in Keynsham has been a complete nightmare. Even the Pay and Display car parks are full. Bet the council is enjoying the extra revenue, or is this its grand master plan to squeeze more money from us. Its not very helpful for the council to direct people to the long stay at the Fox and Hounds car park. 100+ displaced motorists cannot fit into 30 odd spaces.

This is what gives Tesco a bad name. Its not the building of the store which could be good for the town, but the 'couldn't give a damn' attitude towards residents who lose out as a result of their development.

The residents who live in the surrounding streets are the ones who will suffer as a result of the motorists who have been displaced and will seek to park their cars anywhere there are no parking restrictions.

Will it be the case that when the store is built, the car parking will be for the use of their customers only? I do not think for one moment they will tolerate motorists parking their cars for any other reason than to use their facilities.

There is also a problem with traffic congestion in the town. Have I got it right that the entry and exit to the store and car park will only be via the pedestrian lane by the side of the Old Manor House? If so, that access being so close to the Roundabout at the junction of the High Street with Station Road will be absolute gridlock.

I predict that there will be an increase in applications to join the Keynsham Retained Fire Brigade. The reason? Because they are the only ones who have free car parking when they want to go shopping!!

Comments please.