ARMSTRONG Street North is getting busier than ever, but traders are concerned about changes to the street which will see some parking spaces removed.
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Almost 1200 parking fines were issued on Armstrong Street North, between Mair and Sturt streets, in 2013, making it the one of the worst spots in the city to receive a ticket.
That was before the City of Ballarat began a revamp of the block which will see the introduction of angle parks on both sides, but fewer total spots.
“When you’re losing 18 spaces, when you’re talking about CBD parking, that’s a lot of spaces,” said Tony Campana, of Campana’s Stockade Cellars.
Leanne Campana said the street had become more active in recent years thanks to the expansion of new restaurants including The Forge and The Lane, but the growth in activity had not been matched by more parking spots.
“You’ve got all these other people coming into the CBD, and they’re taking away the parking,” she said.
Ms Campana said traders on the block wanted one-hour parking times instead of two hours, and she was concerned that some people parked on the street to see a movie at the Regent.
However, Ms Campana said the solution to the city’s parking problems was not entirely the responsibility of council and shoppers might have to rethink their behaviour.
“Unfortunately Ballarat people will not park and walk. That’s the biggest thing,” she said.
“In Melbourne, and I’ve done it myself, they’ll pay $50 to park in a car park and then they’ll have to go three or four blocks.
“But in Ballarat, if they can’t find a park, they’ll go somewhere else. That’s the mentality.”
Ms Campana called on residents to consider walking and using public transport more often.
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