EXETER’S Labour administration has been accused of “losing the plot” over plans for a city centre car park.

Among measures to increase the council’s income from car parking is a proposal to create a new central parking area on the site of the old bus station, to be called the Paris Street car park.

The administration says income from parking is vital to help it balance the books, but it faces a difficult balancing act in trying to maximise takings while at the same time discouraging car use in the congested city centre.

Now Green party councillors say the Paris Street plan is the wrong thing to do.

Speaking after an executive committee meeting which launched a public consultation on the proposal, Green group leader Cllr Diana Moore (St Davids) said: “A new car park, right next to St Sidwell’s Point, a place which is meant to be a showcase for sustainability and health, and close to a dangerous roundabout and the new bus station, beggars belief. 

“It shows a breathtaking lack of imagination.”

She said the Greens had been advocating a different, “creative” use for the space, such as a market square and a city park.

“Dumping a car park in this space shows that Labour have totally lost the plot,” she said.

“This decision also puts cutting carbon emissions, reducing congestion and improving air quality firmly into reverse gear.

“As existing city centre car parks are under-utilised, this decision doesn’t make any financial sense either.

“The consultation on this ridiculous proposal begins next week.

“I hope the people of Exeter will give the plans the red light and send Exeter Labour back to the drawing board for this valuable and significant city centre site.”

Guy Henderson