Concerns over first of Hereford Merton Meadows car park closures
There's a fear it will put a squeeze on Hereford FC supporters and shoppers at peak times
The first of Hereford’s Merton Meadows car parks has shut ahead of a major redevelopment of the area.
But there is concern that, with a new multi-storey car park in the city still years away, this will put a squeeze on Hereford FC supporters and shoppers at peak times – which will only grow as the redevelopment progresses.
The northernmost car parking area over the Widemarsh Brook, which is to become one of three new flood alleviation zones – essentially pits for surplus rainwater – has now closed to public use.
Though described by Herefordshire Council as a truck and coach park, its use was not restricted to any vehicle types.
Colin Butler, a season ticket holder for Hereford FC since the 1970s, said this has often been “packed” during home games which often coincided with heavy use by shoppers on Saturdays in particular.
“It’s going to missed,” he said. “It’s always been useful as there are no barriers.
“Now people are going to have to drive around looking for parking elsewhere. They may give up and stop coming.”
But Mike Truelove, chief executive of the Hereford Business Improvement District (BID) which represents city-centre shops and venues, was less concerned.
“We have received firm assurances from Herefordshire Council on several occasions that a new multi-storey car park will be completed before the loss of Merton Meadow,” he said.
“Combined with the wider improvements that will enable the development of a significant number of new homes, this represents a positive step in the city’s evolution and will ultimately provide a welcome boost for local shoppers and businesses alike.”
But Herefordshire Council says it wants to start redeveloping the wider Merton Meadow site for housing early next year, with leader Jonathan Lester confirming last month that the goal is to complete this by early 2028.
Yet the proposed multi-storey car park at the current county bus station site, beside the grade II listed Governor’s House, must wait until completion of the Transport Hub at the railway station, and is in all likelihood several years away.
A report for Herefordshire Council earlier this year recommended “enhanced signage of council car parks on key arrival routes into the city”, and “incentivising use of some of the car parks which appear to be less well used” while the work progresses.