Mr Ekins persists in reiterating a long-disproved notion that there is a positive correlation between car parking provision and economic vitality. All the research evidence shows the opposite is true – car-dependency in UK towns shows a strong inverse relationship to their economic vitality. Mr. Ekins is welcome to point to any research that refutes this.
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This should in any case be obvious. Urban space has a high value, and it is absurd to waste it on inefficient transport use. Access to Winchester centre is restricted, not by shortage of car parking space but by traffic in the streets. Reduced car parking would mean clearer access to more efficient public transport and active travel, i.e. more access of people in total. And reduced car parking would mean more central space for more useful and economically beneficial activity and a better, cleaner, safer and more attractive environment for it.
Mr Ekins could not have got it more wrong.
Chris Gillham,Upper High Street,Winchester
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