town councillors believe it is vitally important to the future of the main street that free car parking is available in Driffield.
So they propose to quiz the East Riding of Yorkshire Council on their long term plans for the Cattle Market car park on Beckside.
Several years have passed since a planning application was granted for a supermarket on the former Driffield Cattle Market site, which stands adjacent to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council owned car park.
It was anticipated at the time of the application that the Cattle Market car park would be eventually sold to developers.
But there has been little or no movement with regard to the planning application and it seems highly unlikely that work to create a new retail development will begin any time in the near future
The disused Cattle Market remains in place and is now regarded as a derelict eyesore, while the adjacent free car park is still used on a daily basis by hundreds of motorists.
The town council was told by clerk Claire Binnington: “That car park is essential for shoppers who can park for free and come into town.”
She said that she understood that the East Riding Council was working hard to ensure the area known as Drif9 was eventually developed but felt the town council should be kept in the loop as to what was happening.
“At the end of the day, we take that car park for granted but it could well go and become something like we have at Tesco where parking is limited to two hours or so.”
The matter of car parking was raised as the council discussed a Government sponsored independent review into the future of high streets by business guru Mary Portas, who recommended the establishment of a town team - a visionary, strategic and strong operational team for high streets.
Coun Mark Blakeston said that a town management team outside the town council was something the authority should look at in the absence of a chamber of trade.
Coun Neal Pearson said that car parking charges of £1.30 an hour at other Driffield car parks such as Cross Hill hour seemed “rather a lot”.
“East Riding is taking the mick,” he said. “It is a revenue stream, a taxation.”
Following a proposal from Coun Paul Rounding, the town council agreed to write to the East Riding authority to inquire about their current policy and intentions with regard to the cattle market car park.
“Car parking is essential in a rural area and we need it,” he said.