The closure of a free Cranleigh^[1] car park due to safety concerns has sparked complaints from some users.

Snoxhall car park was closed on April 3 and Cranleigh Parish Councill has asked visitors to the area to park in the nearby Village Way car park, for which there is a charge.

The parish council closed the car park after trying to fill in the potholes in the access road.

The council was unable to repair the road due to the daily traffic and had serious concerns for the safety of access road users and the nearby Downs Link public bridleway.

Chairman Mary Foryszewiski said the decision was not taken lightly and that efforts are being made to reopen it as soon as possible - but the decision has attracted complaints.

Ian Barter, 39, coaches the Cranleigh Youth Football Club U11's side and said: "For the football club the closure of the car park could potentially be disastrous.

"It may not affect us now that the season is coming to an end but for example we have a presentation with all of the age groups this weekend and we are hosting a barbecue so nobody can use that car park and there will be a large number attending.

"The council then contacted the football club expressing concern about the safety of players crossing the main road by parking when it has closed the closest car park to the club."

"It is causing a disruption to us but also makes it difficult for cyclists and walkers who park here when they visit this part of Cranleigh," he said.

"The main issue for me is that the council are closing the car park down and has asked people to park in the village car park which has increased its parking charges.

"We have also received complaints from residents living in the Hitherwood estate as people are parking on these roads to compensate for the closure."

Mrs Foryszewiski said: "It was not a decision taken lightly but a decision that was necessary for health and safety reasons and sadly it was the actions of a few that spoilt it for everyone else.

"They were misusing the car park by parking inappropriately or irresponsibly and causing damage, especially when they were not supposed to park there.

"The parish council are doing everything in our power to rectify and get this resolved as soon as possible because it is in nobody's interest to have this car park closed any longer than is necessary.

"I can understand criticism but I do not believe that we had the choice but to close the car park."

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