Level 8a before refurbishment
We knew that there were some parts of the car park which were going to be more difficult to refurbish than others, but recently there have been more problems that we first envisioned.
We try to plan as carefully as possible to ensure that sufficient parking is available, but some events are outside our control and indeed seem sent to try us.
The contractors were working overnight as this would be a quiet time to do work on a busy section of the car park; they were however unable to finish the job as the lorry containing the flooring compound did not arrive on time.
Level 8a during refurbishment
It turned out that the lorry had been severely delayed in Dover after it was found to have a group of illegal immigrants hiding aboard!
I do apologise to the people who were turned away from the car park whilst it was closed for 5 minutes on the morning of 4 November; this was due to the lorry being manoeuvred next to the entrance after it eventually turned up.
Level 8a after refurbishment
This is also the reason that some of you may have been a bit surprised to be entering the car park by driving up the exit spiral that morning whilst the work was being finished on the up ramp.
I hope that despite all of the confusion that has been caused to our users during the refurbishment you have been able to see the improvements in the levels.
Level 4
Meanwhile, inside the car park, it is now the turn of level 4 to have its makeover and as this level consists mainly of disabled parking it was always going to be tricky to organise.
Shopmobility is usually based in an office on level 4 and so they have had to move; the service has temporarily relocated to the old Nat West bank on Fitzroy street. As Shopmobility is now nearer the Grafton West car park additional disabled parking has been made available in this car park as well as on level 8 at Grafton East. I hope that these changes have not confused too many people.
Level 4is currently closed, as the floor surface has had to be levelled and cleaned prior to the new surface being laid. This has been noisy work and has caused disruptions and concerns in at least one of the shops directly below due to the noise and vibration. There was a few days delay but work has now started again and they are working as fast as possible as we will need this and all other parking levels to be available again for the busy Christmas shopping period.
Closure of Grafton East car park will be taking place over the next week or two, but this will only happen overnight. Signage will be displayed at the entrance advising that alternative parking is available at Grafton West car park.
