NEW parking spaces will be provided in Crewkerne despite fears it could create a “rat run” for drivers wishing to avoid the town centre.

South Somerset District Council has approved plans for 60 new long stay pay and display spaces off the A30 East Street, following the demolition of the former Millers Garage buildings.

The new car park will be accessible from both East Street and South Street – leading town councillors to raise concerns that drivers would travel through it rather than navigating the A30 towards Chard.

The council has said traffic calming measures will be installed to discourage drivers from doing this – but said installing ticket barriers would be “out of sync” with its current car parking policy.

The plans were approved by the council’s area west committee when it met in Chard on Wednesday evening (June 19).

The plans originally came before the committee 12 months ago, but were deferred to allow further discussion with Crewkerne Town Council and residents of Wyvern Court over concerns they had raised.

Following these discussions, a 1.8-metre high wooden fence will run along the perimeter of the car park to separate it from Wyvern Court.

The new car park will be linked up to the existing Henhayes car park via a new road, enabling people to use the new area rather than driving back out and through the town centre to reach the East Street entrance.

Vehicles can enter from and exit onto South Street, but the East Street access will be entrance-only.

Planning officer Andrew Gunn said speed humps would be installed in the car park to discourage drivers from using it as a shortcut between the A30 and the A356, which also serves the town’s railway station.

He said: “Traffic calming measures will be installed within the car park, including three speed ramps that should deter most drivers from using this as a rat run.

“The design and layout of the car park has been carefully considered to minimise rat running and to make the best use of the available space for parking.

“However, as per the town council’s request, dialogue will certainly remain open between the district and town council about the operation of the car park.

“Engineering measures will be put in place (such as ‘alligator teeth’) to stop vehicles from exiting onto East Street.”

Alligator teeth are raised metal ramps which allow a vehicle to travel freely in one direction, but which can damage a vehicle’s tyres if movement in the opposite direction is attempted.

Mr Gunn said it was not feasible to install ticket barriers in the new car park, citing the cost and the council’s approach to car parking.

He said: “A ‘ticket on egress’ system and a barrier would require considerable infrastructure requirements, and would be out of sync with our current operating model of pay and display car parks.”