Stafferton Way Car Park partially closes due to 'damage' from vandalism incidents

Stafferton Way Car Park partially closed on Monday due to ‘damage caused by recent incidents of vandalism’.

The car park, which is situated a five-minute walk from Maidenhead town centre, closed to all users except for Great Western Railway (GWR) customers, the Royal Borough announced on its website.

The closure is due to ‘damage caused by recent incidents of vandalism’ at the multi-storey car park, according to cabinet member for transport, Cllr Geoff Hill.

He confirmed that the closure affects all floors above level one, which are council-owned.

GWR customers will still be able to access parking on level one.

The car park features 476 spaces across the areas run by the council.

In the closure announcement on its website, the Royal Borough said current season ticket holders can park in other car parks, including Braywick Park, Hines Meadow and Vicus Way.

Cllr Hill added: “Thank you for your understanding while we ensure a safe environment for all users.”

The news saw season ticket holders take to social media to raise concerns over the lack of advance notice given for the closure.

The news was only made public on Friday, January 16.

In October last year, the Advertiser reported on safety concerns raised by users, following reports of anti-social behaviour on often unlit floors.

At the time, Cllr Hill acknowledged issues surrounding the car park and said he was ‘making a ‘strong case’ for money to be allocated to fix the lighting and boost security.

Issues with town centre car parks, namely Stafferton Way, Vicus Way and Hines Meadow have been a frequently raised.

At a full council meeting in November resident Mark Ashmore asked questions over cracks outside Vicus Way car park and the condition of both the Stafferton Way and Hines Meadow car parks.

Mr Ashmore said that all sites ‘need serious investment to bring them up to a safe standard’.

At the meeting, Cllr Hill said that money was being put towards repairs at the car parks to make them safer.

At a place, overview and scrutiny panel meeting in December, councillors said a task and finish group was an ‘absolute priority’ to assess the state of car parks in Maidenhead.

A £280,000 budget was approved in November to fix the damaged lights at Stafferton Way and install CCTV cameras.

At the meeting, Cllr Helen Taylor (Ind, Oldfield) asked if Stafferton Way car park was coming to the end of its life.

Tim Golabek, the council’s service lead for transport, highways and parking, said that once the work at Stafferton Way has been completed, its lifespan can be determined.

The council is yet to confirm more details about the length of the partial closure.

A Windsor and Maidenhead council spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing are of the highest priority in the Royal Borough.

“Due to damage caused by recent incidents of vandalism, Stafferton Way car park is currently partially closed.

“Residents and visitors are encouraged to use alternative parking available at Vicus Way car park while we ensure a safe environment for all users.”

For more information, visit: https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/parking/car-parks-and-park-and-ride/car-park/stafferton-way