A SIGNIFICANT transformation has taken place at Coventry Cathedral following swift action by the city council.
Britannia Square, which had become a hotspot for illegal parking, is now protected by a new ring of distinctive elephant-topped bollards designed to preserve the public open space and deter illegal parking.
The move comes after a front-page article in the Coventry Observer on October 18, brought attention to the problem.
The report sparked outrage among residents, including Irene Shannon, a former secretary of the Coventry Society, who contacted the Observer expressing her dismay at the situation.
The issue had become a matter of public concern, with cars encroaching on grass areas, the bottom steps leading to the entrance, and underneath the cathedral’s archway.
Today, the scene is dramatically different.
Before-and-after photographs shared with the Coventry Observer show a car-free Britannia Square, thanks to the council’s intervention.
Paul Maddocks of the Coventry Society praised the swift response, he said: “Can I congratulate the Coventry Observer for its great reporting of this outrage.
“I am really glad the outcome was sorted out so swiftly. Hopefully, other campaigns and issues you highlight in the future will have the same reaction.”
A member of the cathedral’s maintenance team, saw the impact firsthand, noting that the once-congested square is now clear of vehicles.
A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said: “We recognised there were problems with people parking illegally and irresponsibly near Coventry Cathedral, and we installed bollards to help prevent this.
“Our officers are working closely with landowners to prevent people from parking illegally across the city centre, and we will be looking at taking further preventative action where we can to make sure people are parking responsibly.”
