The regular flooding of Harborough car park is 'unacceptable' - and now talks will start to find a solution

The operators of a notorious flood-hit Market Harborough car park are to hold talks with top local politicians.
Neil O'Brien at the flooded car parkNeil O'Brien at the flooded car park
Neil O'Brien at the flooded car park

County Car Parks have agreed to meet Neil O’Brien, Conservative general election candidate, and Harborough council leader Cllr Phil King.

The meeting comes after Welland Quarter car park, opposite the railway station, has flooded four times in four weeks.

More than 20 vehicles were flooded in the commuter car park last Thursday (Nov 14) after the latest rainstorms.

Mr O’Brien, seeking re-election as the town’s MP, said in a letter to County Car Parks: “Since I was elected MP for Harborough in 2017 your Welland Quarter car park between ALDI and Market Harborough train station has flooded numerous times, with severe damage to parked cars as a result.

“This winter’s rains have taken a particularly severe toll and the car park flooded on Thursday for at least the fourth time this season.”

He added: “Having been down to look there are 20 or so cars in the water, some submerged deeply enough that they will be seriously damaged.

“And yet, as you drive in, there are no visible warnings that the car park floods on a regular basis.

Mr O’Brien warned this was “completely unacceptable”.

“I understand that as private land the local council has no power to force you to shut the car park.

“But I think if you want to be seen to be conducting business ethically you must take action to make the car park flood-proof or, at the very least, make it clear it floods,” he wrote.

“It is not acceptable for your car park to be doing so much damage to vehicles so often.

“Please could we have an urgent phone call or meeting so you can set out what action you plan to take to make this situation right.

“If returned to Parliament I will be talking about this in the chamber of the Commons and look forward to being able to say you have taken the right action.”

Cllr King said the council has also written to County Car Parks as well as site owners Hazleton Homes (East Midlands) Limited.

He told County Car Parks: “I am publicly calling on you as the operator and the owners to put up the proper signage to warn drivers who use this car park to be aware of the risk of severe flooding and for proper flood protection and warning measures to be instigated.”

Cllr King added: “I will also be writing to the BPA (British Parking Association) to ask them whether this situation, where tens of thousands of pounds worth of cars have been destroyed on four occasions this year, means that they need to consider revoking your membership of the BPA.”

Stafford-based County Car Parks have been contacted for comment.