Bouskell Car Park

Improvement works are taking place in Bouskell Park car park to enhance the visitor experience.

The work includes:

• Resurfacing the existing car park with cellular paving
• Landscape improvements
• Low-level lighting to improve the look and feel of the park
• Clearly marked parking bays
• Two designated accessible spaces

The car park is now closed until early 2025 while resurfacing and renovation works take place. Work began on Monday 7 October. This project is being funded by £440,000 from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

A proposal has been made to introduce parking charges when the car park reopens. The proposed charges feature in the draft Off-Street Parking Places Order, which covers the enforcement of pay and display car parks across the District. 

A 21-day consultation period took place in October and November 2024 on the Off-Street Parking Places Order and we will publish updates on the website.

FAQ

What works are taking place on the car park at Bouskell?

We are using £440,000 government funding, from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to renovate the car park, providing a more durable, stable surface, with marked bays, extra accessible spaces and low-level lighting. The entrance is being widened and a new pedestrian walkway created. There will also be landscaping improvements.  

Will the works be disruptive?

Every effort is being taken to keep disruption to a minimum while the renovation works take place, however, as a construction site requiring the use of heavy machinery and plant, there will inevitably be some noise.

When will the car park reopen?

The car park is expected to reopen early in 2025. This allows enough time for the extensive groundwork to be done before the new surfacing can be laid, for example the removal of the old concrete section in the middle of the car park.

Can I still access the park while the car park is closed?

Bouskell Park remains open for people to enjoy, and pedestrian access is still available.

Why are car parking charges being proposed?

In the face of continuing financial challenges we have been looking at ways to make our parks financially sustainable. This was one of the main objectives in our updated Parks and Open Spaces Strategy, approved in January 2024.

These enforcement measures cover all pay and display car parks in the district, as well as the addition of Bouskell

Where can I park while the Bouskell car park is closed?

We would urge people to make use of the car parks at Johns Court and Enderby Road which are close by in Blaby village centre.

If I find people are parking outside my house, preventing access, what could I do?

A public road, even if it’s directly outside your property can generally be used by anyone for parking if they follow local parking regulations and restrictions. Leicestershire Police has useful information on their Parking issues and abandoned vehicles page. Leicestershire County Council is responsible for highways and there is information on their role with regard to parking restrictions on their Cars and parking page.

What would the income generated from the car park be used for?

The income from the car park will be used to help ensure the newly renovated car park is maintained to a good standard, in line with the current Car Parking Strategy.

How much would it cost to park there?

The hourly charges would be in line with the other Blaby District Council car parks and are currently

• Up to 1 hour - 70p
• Up to 2 hours - £1
• Up to 3 hours - £1.50
• Up to 4 hours - £3
• Over 4 hours - £6 

The proposed charges would apply every day.

How would we pay for parking?

The parking machine at Bouskell would take contactless payment as well as offering a PayByPhone option.

You can use the PayByPhone app to make a payment but you can also ring a dedicated phone line to make payments. As part of our Car Parking Strategy we aim to phase out cash payments, helping reduce costs and avoiding issues with littering of used tickets.

Will there be accessible spaces at the car park?

The renovations will include the creation of two accessible bays which will be free for up to three hours for users with a Blue Badge and time clock. All car users with a disabled badge and clock can park in any marked bay within all the Blaby District Council owned car parks for up to three hours for free.

Will there be a height restriction added to the car park?

No, we are not adding a height barrier to Bouskell Park car park.