VALUABLE parking slots for shoppers in Adeyfield Square are being taken up by commuters who leave their cars there all day, a store manager has claimed.
Mohammed Choudhury, manager at the Co-op, says workers park in the square early in the morning and hop on Green Line buses into London before returning in the evening.
“Because it’s a free car park people get a coach from here to London first thing in the morning and leave their car here,” he said.
“That causes a lot of problems for customers – they can’t find a parking space.
“People don’t want to take their car to London so they get a Green Line from here because it’s free. They leave it here and disappear.
“It’s supposed to be for people going shopping, not leaving their vehicles here all day.”
Meanwhile, Mr Choudhury welcomed planned improvements to the square that will make life easier for pedestrians.
A zebra crossing is due to be installed between the Co-op and the post office and the crossing on the other side of the square will be made safer.
“They’re going to put a crossing there and double yellow lines,” Mr Choudhury said.
“It’s going to be better for the public. Older people struggle to cross. Some vehicles go quite fast.
“That will slow everyone down and give them a chance to cross the road in a safe way.”
Parking spaces for bicycles are also planned in the revamp, expected to get under way this month.
Roads in Grovehill and Highfield will also get pedestrian-friendly improvements under the project, worth more than £100,000.
Motorists are being warned of ‘some degree of disruption and delay’.