Calls to Create Permanent Coach Parking in Town to Meet Growing Number of Big Events and Tourists

Calls to revisit the creation of a permanent coach parking space in Wrexham have been made to help meet the growing number of events and tourists in the town.

The demand for a permanent coach parking space in the town has been ongoing for several years, with initial calls for the provision made way back in 2013.

However the subject was raised again in this week’s Town Centre Forum when it was explained that a number of coach trips are expected to visit Victorian Christmas Market in December.

Currently the drivers of the coaches have been parking in the loading bay at Eagles Meadow once the tourists have been dropped off on the High Street.

Speaking this week manager of Eagles Meadow Kevin Critchley noted that the shopping centre will not be able to cope with the high volume of coaches expected to visit the town for the Christmas market.

He said: “Can we look at temporary place to put them at Christmas? If we are going to get them in for the market, let’s give them somewhere to park.

“Long-term it needs to be addressed. However I am talking specifically abut the market, what we can do long-term is different to temporary.

“If we can offer a location for the Christmas market, it is only going to encourage people to come in.”

The volume of coach trips to the town has increased over the past few years, with 68 visiting in 2016 alone. So far this year there have been 42 trips, however neither of these figures include the amount of coaches bringing people to and from the concerts at the Racecourse.

Events such as the ones held at the Racecourse over the past two years have also seen the introduction of a temporary park and ride scheme on Ruthin Road for big concerts such as Olly Murs and the Stereophonics.

Cllr Dana Davies said the problems surrounding the lack of coach parking need solving due to the increase in events taking place in the town.

She said: “Because there are lots of events taking place in the Racecourse now, this shouldn’t still be getting kicked around. This should be a problem that needs solving. We need to get heads together.”

One idea put forward for a potential location was the Crown Buildings car park, however it was noted that logistically there isn’t enough space for coaches to park or access the site.

Owner of The Bank, Alex Jones suggested that the vacant plot of land on St Giles could be an option. He said: “There are toilets over the road and a pelican crossing, it’s there ready to go. At the moment it is derelict and looking a mess.”

Chairman of the meeting, Cllr Andrew Atkinson noted that coach parking needs to be made a ‘key point’ as the debate has been going on for too long.