Short-term parking gain is not worth effort
I WRITE in response to Mr Bomforth s letter of June 29. It is true that the piece of land in question at Dean s Meadow is only a small extension of the existing car park and as a result will mean losing only a small piece of land that surrounds our beauti
I WRITE in response to Mr Bomforth's letter of June 29.
It is true that the piece of land in question at Dean's Meadow is only a small extension of the existing car park and as a result will mean losing only a small piece of land that surrounds our beautiful and historic cathedral.
This piece of land may well only be visible from the air or the top of the cathedral, thus out of view from many visitors - but the fact still remains, that this piece of land is valuable and once lost would be lost forever - for what? A few extra car parking spaces. What a shame! The extra car parking spaces that this piece of land would offer would certainly not solve the long-term problems of car parking in Ely.
It is right to say the problem will not go away, so, what will happen in a few years time, when once again we are likely to be faced with the problem of car parking shortages? Perhaps another extension, eating further into the green land which frames our cathedral?
The point is, I wholeheartedly agree that there is a car parking problem and appreciate that we should support the district councillors in their work in trying to take our city forward, but I'm not sure that they should be congratulated for trying to resolve this complex problem, (created by the addition of more houses) - when it would appear that there are clearly only advantages to using this precious piece of land in the short-term.
Indeed, perhaps the councillors would have been congratulated if, at the time of the new homes being built, they had considered the pressures on the existing framework of Ely and then perhaps the residents of Ely wouldn't have found themselves battling for doctors, dentists and schools as well as car parking spaces.
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We should protect at least some of the green space we have remaining in our city - and particularly that around our cathedral, unless there are clear, long-term advantages.
Otherwise we should look at more practical, long-term solutions, such as building upwards on existing car parks (ie multi-storey) or out-of-town car parking suitable for commuters and long-stay users - leaving the town areas free for short-term parking/or those who work within the city of Ely.
E HUMAN
Philip Close
Ely
