Pressure group warns over St James parking

Published on Wednesday 26 March 2008 09:16

TRANSPORT pressure group TRANSform Scotland has warned against increasing the number of car parking spaces as part of the regeneration of the St James Centre.

A massive 850 million revamp of the eyesore shopping centre was unveiled earlier this year in what is set to become the biggest city centre development for decades.

The scheme, which could be completed by 2015, includes new streets, two hotels, scores of shops and luxury flats, and public squares. There are also plans to include a three-storey underground car park accessed from Elder Street.

Colin Howden, director of TRANSform Scotland, said: "It is very unclear what is proposed in terms of the volume of car parking.

"We note that the proposals will 'make a positive contribution towards the overall city centre parking supply.'

"Is this a euphemism for increased levels of car parking at the site? If so, we would not be able to support the proposals."

Chris Pyne, senior portfolio manager at Henderson Global Investors, which owns the centre, said: "There will be more visitors due to the increase and improvement to the retail offer and the provision of other mixed uses within the St James Quarter.

"At present, there are 550 car parking spaces serving St James and John Lewis. The car parks are over-utilised during peak periods at weekends which leads to queuing."