Harrogate Borough Council

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19 August 2008 - A multi-million pound development west of the Market Square in Ripon has reached the stage where contractors will be finishing the link road into the new eventual 170-space car park.

 

Work was scheduled to start on Monday, 25 August but the developer, Maple Grove, has agreed to leave it until Tuesday 26^th so as to avoid the busy Bank Holiday.

 

Throughout the contract period, Harrogate Borough Council had agreed with Maple Grove that 50 spaces be retained at all times.

 

The council accepts that the current temporary access to these spaces will have to be removed for this short period (26 August to 8 September) to allow the permanent access to be created.

 

However, the council and the city's business leaders are pleased to learn that once the car park re-opens on 8 September more than the 50 parking spaces will be made immediately available.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport at the council, explains:

 

"The contract is going exceptionally well for Maple Grove and they are offering to make available as many spaces as they can once the new access is in.

 

These spaces may move around the site as necessary for the building work to continue but they certainly hope to be reaching well over 125 spaces by the autumn. The full 170- space car park will be available once Booth's supermarket has carried out all its fit out which should be by early next year.

 

"Everyone is working together to keep Ripon open for business and we are grateful to Maple Grove for their support. The Borough and County Council have funded the free car parking Tuesdays and the Ripon Area Business Association has asked us to remind everyone that they are still offering the shopper incentives for free parking - spend £5 get two hours free." ENDS