Parkinality columnist Julie Walker has painting selected for art project at Northgate End multi-storey car park in Bishop’s Stortford

Parkinality columnist Julie Walker, 57, of Bishop’s Stortford, for once DOES write about parking AND living with Parkinson’s disease…

This week I have been released from the confines of my new A to Zee of Parkinson’s disease in my Parkinality column to pen an article about Bishop’s Stortford’s favourite water cooler chat: parking. More precisely, the Northgate End multi-storey car park.

Admittedly, as a non-driver, I have not had reason to go into the new car park at Northgate End. However, I have heard about it in sound bites being referred to as “controversial” and “a white elephant”.

Despite no longer driving, I am a regular user of taxis to get around town. I therefore know that the sheer volume of cars on the roads often makes driving around Bishop’s Stortford a complete nightmare.

The eventual arrival of TK Maxx later this year will, hopefully, bring more custom to the town. With more custom comes more cars. As, personally, I would prefer that cars were grouped together in a car park, rather than dumped in random places, then, like it or not, we will need well-organised parking spaces.

I am afraid I do not have any controversial opinions about the new car park, which in itself is probably controversial. However, whatever your thoughts are about it, it is here now. We can either ignore opinion and leave it as it is or make changes.

Our environment is important, whether that be the natural or the built world. Light and colour are just a couple of the considerations which can change people’s perceptions about a place. Community is also important. Many people think that the expansion of Stortford means that community is lost. As a resident of Stortford for over 45 years, I believe that community is still around, you just have to go out and find it.

Following comments about the environment in and around the new car park, areas of the local community are coming together.

I recently responded to a call for artists from the art community to submit artwork for a local project. I selected a couple of paintings, thought what the heck and sent them off. Imagine my delight to find that one of my pieces had been selected to be included in the project.

Mine is one of 13 pieces of art - including one piece displayed outside the car park - selected to be displayed in the multi-storey in an attempt to make the built environment more hospitable.

The art project is just one part of East Herts Council’s plans to improve the experience for car park users, along with automatic doors, the installation of a staff office and revamped lighting. The art includes a walking map, so please go along and take a look when you are next passing through.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. There will be people who will sit both on the fence and either side of it regarding the changes to the car park.

All I ask is that you keep an open mind and take a moment to appreciate that people are trying their best to make what was called a white elephant not quite into a golden phoenix, but maybe more of a golden bird or bright butterfly. Have a careful look.