Chapter 3 – Part four: A central metropolitan block

Allocation of the parking places

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We first looked into the situation at present and determined the ‘spare’ capacity for optional traflic over and above that required for the essential traffic which is generated. We then concluded that any provision of car parks for optional traffic could be only temporary as eventually the whole of the road space available would be taken up during the peak-hour by the increased generation of essential traffic. We estimate the present essential traffic peak-hour flow to be around 1,000 v.p.h. This is approximately 8% of the estimated 13,500 total daily essential trips. Of these we assumed ⅓ involve cars and ⅔ vans and lorries, so that about 4,500 cars and 9,000 vans, etc., visit the arca daily. The parking and loading facilities for these we calculated on the same basis as before. Cars used for essential purposes need 750 spaces. Vans and lorries need 1,400 loading bays or spaces. Essential parking could in theory be accommodated in the existing off-street parking spaces of which there are some 1,300, but some of these are in the north of the area and may not be conveniently placed in relation to business premises.

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With the above level of essential traffic movement, there would be room for some optional traffic, and about 2,250 parking spaces could be provided. Total car parking requirements would therefore be 750 essential and 2,250 optional—a total of 3,000 spaces. Taking into account the 1,300 existing off-street spaces, about 1,700 additional spaces would have to be provided if the maximum generation is to be taken up.

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This provision would allow rather less than 5% of all shoppers and workers coming into the area to travel by car. In the long run, however with the estimated peak hour flow for essential traffic standing at 3,800 p.c.u./hour, and the total hourly capacity restricted to 3,400 p.c.u./hour, it is obvious that it will not be possible with this scheme to cope even with all the essential traffic that might ultimately be generated. It follows that, unless commercial movements are severely restricted during the peak period, any parking spaces to be provided in the near future for optional traffic would best be of a temporary nature only.