Examination of Witnesses (Questions 3800
- 3819)
3800. Have you done any surveys to see what
usage the car park has at material times?
(Mr Farthing) We have. We have undertaken surveys
of the West Smithfield car park on two occasions. The first of
those was in December, just before Christmas.
3801. Could you give us the date.
(Mr Farthing) It was 18 December. It was a
Sunday.
3802. What did that show?
(Mr Farthing) That showed quite a few different
things. The key information probably for today is that the maximum
number of cars that were accumulated in the car park was 71. The
surveys also tried to establish the relationship between those
parking in the car park and the market itself. The conclusions
from that were that a little under 90 per cent of those using
the car park during the period surveyed were related to the market
itself.
3803. Obviously we need then to know the period
surveyed.
(Mr Farthing) It was from 9.00 am on the Sunday
until 9.00 am on the Monday morning, so it covered the main operational
hours of the market.
3804. When did the second survey that you have
referred to take place?
(Mr Farthing) That was on February 22, a Wednesday.
On that occasion a maximum of 258 vehicles were observed in respect
of maximum accumulation. There was a slightly lower level of relationship
between the car park and the market at 75 per cent.
3805. Did you reach any conclusions from that?
(Mr Farthing) The main conclusion we have drawn,
if the car park were to be reduced in the way we have estimated
(that is, 250 spaces were remaining), is that under both those
situations it would not be sufficient capacity for the parking
demands that we have observed.
3806. The final provision related to replacement
of loading bays that are lost on Lindsey Street. You go down to
seven or eight on your remodelled proposal. Have you looked elsewhere
to see whether there might be other loading bays provided?
(Mr Farthing) There are limited areas around
the market for re-provision of loading bays. One option would
be to consider use of space in the Rotunda area. There are possibly
some areas there, or possibly re-allocation of spaces from current
parking bays—pay and display bays or residents bays—for
use of the market.
Cross-examined by Mr Elvin
3807. Mr Elvin: Mr Farthing, I assume
you have dealt with the two outstanding matters, which is the
loading bays and the car parking.
(Mr Farthing) I believe so.
3808. I just wanted to be sure—I do not
want to bore the Committee by dealing with matters we have already
dealt with. Could I ask you about loading bays, please? The Committee
has already seen the plan and the loading bays around the perimeter
of the market and some within at ground floor level. You say that
with management measures there is scope for the provision of additional
loading bays outside of Lindsey Street. Is that right?
(Mr Farthing) I am not sure about the reference
to management. We believe there are areas where some additional
bays could be re-provided during the temporary loss of Lindsey
Street bays.
3809. How many do you think?
(Mr Farthing) We have not quantified the number
of bays.
3810. You must have an idea, if you have sat
and tried to work out where the bays could go.
(Mr Farthing) The area on which we have focused
is the provision of bays within Lindsey Street itself throughout
construction.
3811. I will come to that. I am asking about
the point you made two minutes ago, which was that you thought
there would be some scope for loading bays elsewhere.
(Mr Farthing) I believe there is scope for
bay provision within the Rotunda, but I cannot give you an estimate
of the number of bays that we feel could be accommodated.
3812. Are we talking about five or ten, or one
or two?
(Mr Farthing) I would have thought it would
be nearer to five or ten.
3813. Five or ten. The Committee have already
seen a photograph of Lindsey Street and have already visited the
market.[19]
It is quite clear to anyone who is familiar with this area that
lorries and vans do not always park as efficiently as they can
to make the best use of space. Some park end-on, some park side-on.
It is sometimes rather higgledy-piggledy. I drove past last night
and there were a number parked at angles which would have prevented
quite a few vehicles parking there. Have you observed that?
(Mr Farthing) I have. I would
like to add that the photo before us was taken at 7.00 am, which
is somewhat out of the market's peak operating period.
3814. I appreciate that. Is the point I am putting
to you a fair one, that people do not always park in the most
efficient fashion?
(Mr Farthing) I have observed in some areas,
where, perhaps with closer management, there could be more efficient
use of bays. I have also observed vehicles parking in areas perhaps
where they should not, because there is not sufficient bay provision
for them.
3815. We have the possibility, therefore, not
only of finding other loading bay spaces in the order of five
to ten, but, if greater management is exercised over existing
loading bays, there is some scope for providing additional practical
capacity for those who are displaced from Lindsey Street if that
is to happen.
(Mr Farthing) In theory, yes.
3816. It would be in the interests of all those
involved: market traders, Crossrail and the City of London, to
make sure that those management operations are carried out and
to ensure that the market is kept thriving.
(Mr Farthing) I cannot answer on behalf of
the traders, but from my own point of view it would seem to make
sense, yes.
3817. Could I ask you about your diagrams for
Lindsey Street. Rather than showing cartoons again, interesting
though they are, we have three diagrams showing the position in
your report, A46. Figures 5, 6 and 7 represent the three phases.
The position so far as Crossrail is concerned, is that it has
indicated it will use all reasonable endeavours to maintain six
loading bays during the works but it cannot guarantee that loading
bays will be available at all times. That is our position, is
it not? You understand that, do you not?
(Mr Farthing) I believe I have seen something
that alludes to that, yes.
3818. You also understand—and you understood
this when you drew up your figures—that of course we have
not yet reached the stage of detailed design of the works.
(Mr Farthing) Yes.
3819. You are not surprised at that. You would
expect detailed designs to come at a later stage.
(Mr Farthing) We are aware from discussions
with Crossrail which stage of the design process we are at.
19 Crossrail Ref: P49, Petitioner Response Document
to the Petition of Smithfield Market Tenants' Association., (LONDLB-28004-023). Back
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