New parent and child spaces coming to the Chantry Centre multi-storey as EV chargers set to relocate
Test Valley Borough Council is set to create three new parent and child spaces in the Chantry Centre multi-storey due to the relocation of the car park’s four electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
The decision follows an independent review of the multi-storey car park and a recommendation to remove the EV chargers, due to incidents including the London Luton Airport car park fire.
In their place, the council will install the new parent and child bays, which are wider than normal parking spaces to make it easier to get young children and babies out of the car.
The chargers, which are located on level 2a, have been switched off, with the replacements due to be installed in one of the council’s other car parks early in the new year.
Alternative EV charging points are available at George Yard, South Street and Borden Gates. Users can also visit Zap-Map to find their nearest chargers.
The new parent and child bays will be available for use from mid-February.
Deputy council leader, Councillor Maureen Flood, said: “While we have taken this decision in response to the national recommendations, we remain committed to ensuring that we maintain and increase the provision of EV chargers in the borough as part of our work to tackle climate change and support the increasing number of electric vehicles on the roads. As a result, we will be installing replacement chargers in one of our other car parks and will make sure they are up and running and ready for use as quickly as possible. We also hope that by converting the former EV charging spaces to parent and child bays, there will be an added benefit for car park users.”
Town centre councillor, Iris Andersen, added: “I’m delighted with the installation of the new parent and child bays. It is something I raised with the leader of the council on behalf of parents who have contacted me and I’m grateful he and the council have listened.”