Councils should encourage consumers who want to shop by car says a controversial new retail report.
What Makes for a Successful City Centre?, the first research from the National Retail Planning Forum which was set up last year, strongly urges local authorities to encourage shoppers who travel by car, which it says is central to retailer confidence.
But it says this should go hand in hand with backing for public transport as the only durable solution for a healthy city centre.
The report suggests that councils and town centre managers should:
- provide direct access routes for cars where the network allows, not prejudiced by excessive public transport or cyclist priority
- invest in electronic parking direction
- ensure there is enough parking for shoppers through constraining commuters
- developing park and ride, especially aimed at commuters
- focus office development on sites directly related to the public transport network.
The report claims improvements can be made through effective management rather than capital investment in environmentally undesirable new roads.
Details on the report, priced £60, from the NRPF on 0171 633 0903.
For full details see this Saturday’s edition of Estates Gazette
EGi News 03/04/97
