Plymouth Life Centre users want ban on drivers
LIFE Centre users are calling for a ban on drivers who "race" past the building.
The leisure centre in Central Park is fronted by a "shared space" road which allows motorists to get to the Plymouth Argyle shop and offices.
But members of the Life Centre Users Group fear the mix of cars and huge crowds of sportsmen and women is a recipe for disaster.
And they say the cars are already damaging the pavement, which they believe was not designed to take the load.
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"In July the Life Centre had 100,000 people through its doors. In August that went up to 120,000," said Derek Bidgood, from the Life Centre User Group.
"All of a sudden you have a car racing up through the middle of them.
"It's only a matter of time before there's an accident."
He said cars should be allowed in at the northern entrance to Home Park, opposite Segrave Road.
At present only buses are allowed to use that entrance.
"I think the highways idea is that they don't want the buses interrupted.
"We think the only traffic that should be allowed in front of the Life Centre is to drop off disabled users."
He said some people were parking in the dropping-off zone, forcing coaches to drive in front of the Life Centre.
"The Life Centre has made a big difference. Some people thought it was going to be a white elephant."
He said the year-end target for swimming lessons had been passed in June.
A city council spokeswoman said: "We have been made aware of concerns of the traffic management at the Plymouth Life Centre following the completion of the paved area at the front of the building.
"This area is a shared space and can be used by both pedestrians and motorists and is the access point for people visiting the Plymouth Argyle grounds and disabled parking spaces.
"We are working with Everyone Active, the Life Centre operator, to ensure that specific measures relating to the control, management and enforcement of parking are in place so that this area is used in a way that is safe to both drivers and pedestrians.
"We are also working with contractors Balfour Beatty to provide additional signage which will improve Everyone Active's ability to manage the area more effectively.
"Access to the paved area will only be given for motorists wanting to park in the Plymouth Argyle car park, and parking outside the Life Centre will be restricted to vehicles displaying a blue badge."
Comments
by BettyD
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 11:42AM
“It's no different to how it was when the old mayflower sports centre was there,you used to have to dodge cars or pedestrians then as well”
by Calum4
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 10:58AM
“The idea of a shared space between motorists and pedestrians is absolutely terrible and quite frankly very dangerous. I have been told by staff that there have been incidents where children have nearly been run over. There is very little indication that the shared space is in fact an operating road, little signage and hard to distinguish between road and pavement. If the parents can't tell what chance do the children have! All it would take is a zebra crossing or perhaps some white lines down the middle of the road so people could be able to tell that vehicles will be moving along here. How do they expect people to follow the rules if there is no signage, I don't recall any speed limit signs and the parking signs have now blown away. The polite notice, regarding parking, that was installed was in such small print that it was impossible to read from your car. The organisation and design of the whole system is appalling and needs a major restructure before something tragic occurs.”
by olddogbreath
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 8:43AM
“Top tip: Speed bumps.”