The main car park, which was constructed in the 1990s, needed updating to ensure it continued to be well used in the future, as well as to ensure it met modern safety requirements and for insurance purposes.

A schedule of maintenance and improvement work was planned for the 565 capacity car park, following the completion of the adjoining Premier Inn Hotel which opened in 2019.

Improvement and repair work, which cost in the region of £800,000 included the installation of railings as part of improved safety features, resurfacing, enhanced lighting, speed bumps and essential maintenance work to protect the concrete structure.

In addition physical barriers and a new CCTV system were installed as part of enhanced measures to deter anti-social behaviour, improve public safety and security.

The new CCTV system has 26 cameras which can help identify individuals and vehicles taking part in anti-social behaviour in the car park. In conjunction with the CCTV, physical barriers have been installed on levels 4 through to 11 to isolate levels and prevent vehicles racing around the car park late at night.

Cllr Bob Evans, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services, said:

“For some time the car park has been blighted by anti-social behaviour but now we have made a real improvement to security and this has already had a positive effect with an immediate reduction in nuisance behaviour and noise. While maintenance costs for a building this size will always be ongoing I am pleased the Council has invested in the project to ensure the car park continues to be a well-used asset to shoppers and traders in the town.”