ABOUT TO CHANGE: Construction of a new car park will begin at the corner of Griffin Ave and Brisbane St on Monday week. Photo: Robert Chappel 021112RCC03
THE landscape of Tamworth’s CBD may be changing as more retail outlets open up but soon the parking landscape will change too.
Construction of a new car park on the corner of Brisbane St and Griffin Ave will begin next Monday.
The design of the car park has changed slightly following a meeting with residents of nearby streets early last month.
Tamworth Regional Council infrastructure planning senior engineer Matt Ferris said eight nearby residents who attended an information meeting about the car park had expressed concern about a lack of safe access for pedestrians.
“A footpath on the southern and western perimeters of the car park will be installed to provide a pedestrian link between Brisbane St and the existing path in Griffin Ave,” Mr Ferris said.
“This will effectively provide full footpath access between Brisbane St and Fitzroy St if pedestrians do not wish to walk along Griffin Ave in front of the car park.
“To ensure pedestrians are unimpeded, the light poles and trees planned for the western side of the car park will be relocated into the car park at the loss of some parking spaces.”
Residents also expressed concerns about the possibility of lighting in the car park shining into their homes.
Mr Ferris said the car park lighting had been designed in accordance with standards to ensure there was a minimum amount of light spill.
“The car park lighting is being installed to deter antisocial behaviour,” he said.
The car park will be sealed with asphalt and have about 113 spaces for parking, as well as landscaping.
Manchurian pear trees, kerbing and guttering and associated drainage work would also take place on site.
Griffin Ave will be widened for the length of the car park to accommodate two-way flow of traffic, however the direction of travel within the car park will be one-way.
A speed plateau will also be installed in the car park to deter vehicles from speeding.
Council has set aside $350,000 for the car park construction and hopes to have works completed and the car park open in time for the Country Music Festival which begins on January 18.