A Kenilworth councillor has warned lessons need to be learned from the parking issues at Castle Farm Recreation Centre, before the new swimming pools in Abbey Fields open.

Councillors and locals have continued to raise the issue of "dangerous" parking at the town's new leisure centre over the past few weeks, as customers are forced to park on double yellow lines and grass verges on the surrounding streets as the car park overflows.

The issue - which is reportedly at its worst on Saturday mornings - was raised before planning permission for Castle Farm was granted.

And speaking at the most recent Warwick District Council meeting, Cllr Andrew Milton urged the council's cabinet to ensure the situation is not repeated in Abbey Fields.

"Given we have had the same assurances [that parking would not be an issue] about the Abbey Fields swimming pool, and actually the same concerns raised by residents, can I ask you what you are doing to make sure we actually get ahead of the problems this time?" he said. 

"And we do not get a repeat of the problems we are getting at Castle Farm."

In response, Cllr Jim Sinnott - who also spoke on resolving the issues at Castle Farm - said the council is working on a parking strategy for the whole district.

"I hear your concerns," he said. 

advertisement

"Hopefully the consultants and the parking strategy across the whole district will help answer these problems, to address it. 

"And they will be talking to interested locals. 

"[The] parking strategy hopefully will iron out those wrinkles."