Decision details

High Street Multi Storey Car Park - Condition Survey

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To provide an update summarising the findings of a condition survey and agree the action plan

Decision:

 

i.       The High Street Car Park be closed at the end of October 2023, following the

recommendation made by Structural Engineers.

 

ii.     The Assistant Director, Property engages with stakeholders affected which

includes the commercial unit tenants (9), Council staff, season ticket holders, Town Centre partners and other parties that have an interest to ensure the implications of this decision are understood.

 

iii.    Savings that will be realised in expenditure budgets in the current year from the midyear closure be used to fund decommissioning work including erecting hoarding, securing the site, and commissioning pre and post decommissioning structural surveys.

 

iv.    The High Street Car Park site be added to the Bracknell Town Centre Southern Gateway site masterplan area. Outline plans for which will be presented for consideration to the Executive in Autumn 2023.

Reasons for the decision:

The Councils structural engineers, advised the council in December 2022 to reduce

the number of available spaces in the High Street Car Park by closing every 3rd

parking space, which was implemented. A further structural survey was

commissioned and undertaken by the structural engineers in May 2023, which with a

recommendation that the car park be closed no later than December 2023, as it has

reached the end of its design life.

Alternative options considered:

The structural engineers report sets out a number of options that could be pursued.

The only viable alternative presented was that loading (usage) of the site could be

further reduced from 60% of bays available to 30%. This could extend the life

beyond the December 2023 date. However, an increase regime of monitoring would

be needed to offset the increasing risk of structural failure. This was therefore

rejected as an option.

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Wards Affected: Town Centre & The Parks;

Financial Impact: As set out in the report.

Declarations: None

Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No

Making Representations: In writing to the Executive Director: Delivery.

Other reasons / organisations consulted

By report

Consultees

Legal
Finance

Contact: Kevin Gibbs, Executive Director: Communities Email: kevin.gibbs@bracknell-forest.gov.uk, Kamay Toor, Programme Director: Schools' Capital and Property Email: kamay.toor@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Tel: 01344 355183.

Report author: Kevin Gibbs

Publication date: 18/07/2023

Date of decision: 18/07/2023

Decided at meeting: 18/07/2023 - Executive

Effective from: 26/07/2023

Accompanying Documents: