CAR parks in Gravesham could be handed over to a private firm despite overwhelming public opposition.

Gravesham is currently considering how best to manage its car parks and one option is to allow a private contractor to take over.

A report by regeneration services manager Kevin Burbidge states: "It appears savings could result from outsourcing."

But when motorists were consulted recently, only three per cent said they would like to see a private company running town centre car parks.

Drivers believe Gravesham is best placed to run the service because it could do it more cheaply.

The option is being included in an "improvement plan" looking at a whole range of aspects for the next few years to make public car parks "clean, safe, hassle- free and efficiently run".

But the report states this can not be achieved "without adequate resources".

It adds pay-and-display facilities could be favoured because they are cheaper to maintain but they are seen as less secure because drivers can enter and leave unchallenged. Top of a list of priorities for Gravesham's motorists were concerns about the Lord Street and Parrock Street development and pricing.

November 13, 2001 12:04