STOURBRIDGE’S Ryemarket multi-storey car park is “at, or close to, the end of its working life” according to the most recent structural assessment carried out.
A damning report on the poor condition of the dated car park was obtained through an FOI request after the News contacted the Information Commissioner, although Dudley Council, which owns the facility, has stressed it carries out regular checks to ensure its safety.
The report was published in April 2019 after an inspection in November 2018 carried out by Mott MacDonald engineers followed by concrete testing in February 2019 by Birmingham City Laboratories, but according to Dudley Council’s FOI response it is the most recent structural assessment report produced.
It says the five-storey car park was built from an in-situ reinforced concrete frame in 1975 and it was designed to last for 50 years.
At the time the report was compiled the facility was 45 years old and it said: “The levels of carbonation and chloride contamination in the slabs, and the cracking identified around the columns, suggest that the structure is at, or close to, the end of its working life.”
It added that regular maintenance would be required to extend the anticipated design life but added: “It appears from the inspection that little or infrequent maintenance has been undertaken.”
It said the structure was “overstressed during periods of high usage” and recommended works be carried out to prevent partial or total collapse and falling debris which could injure the public or damage vehicles.
The report outlined three options for the crumbling facility, which adjoins the Ryemarket shopping centre.
Option one was do nothing, with the report stressing this option was not recommended at all.
Option two was to carry out minor repairs to prevent falling debris – with checks to be carried out every six months to monitor the level of deterioration; and prepare to close the facility in two to five years.
Option three was to carry out extensive repairs and strengthening works to prolong the car park’s life but the report noted the cost would likely be “substantial” and it said a “cost benefit analysis could help to determine the most cost-effective scheme”.
Repair works were carried out to the facility in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown and Dudley Council has said it has been carrying out regular checks on the facility, with the last having taken place on May 23.
Councillor Paul Bradley, the council’s deputy leader, said: “The council’s structural team carries out regular inspections at the Ryemarket car park to ensure it is safe to use for motorists and shoppers.
“Following the last such inspection, repair works were identified to concrete flooring and ceiling at the site - principally on the second level of the car park - which will start in January.
“No decisions have been made at this stage about the future of the car park.
“Work is taking place to explore the costings of the various options open to us, and we will be able to say more once that work has been completed.”
It is estimated the work will cost around £104,900 and it’s understood the job is currently out to tender.
"As I understand it, whilst the overall structure of the car park is stable, there are concerns over some isolated areas which overtime have become ‘stressed’ from exposure to the elements and distribution of modern vehicle loads increasing the potential risk of falling debris between the levels.
"I am aware that general repairs have been carried out over recent years since the report to prolong the use of the car park and buy the council some additional time whilst a more robust and permanent plan was drawn up.
"I find myself on the receiving end of increasing complaints by drivers who often associate the car park as being privately-run by the shopping centre, so I am pleased to hear the council are now tendering for substantial repairs as highlighted in the recommendations of the report with an anticipated start date in the new year.
"I hope as part of the bigger picture of delivering improvements to the car park, attention is also paid to the reliability of the lifts and cleanliness and will continue to report local issues through to Dudley Council."
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