PLANS to increase the size of Tybridge Street car park have been criticised by residents.

The proposals were attacked by the chairman of Friends of Cripplegate Park, Linda Salmons, who questioned why money to fund the scheme was being generated by added parking spaces.

"I don't understand why this revenue has to come from a car park and why on Cripplegate Park," she told the city council before it discussed the cabinet's decision.

"The park needs to be increased in size, not reduced. Its appearance needs to be improved not ruined, its usability as a public open space enhanced, not lessened. This car park will only dominate Cripplegate Park."

Dogmatic

An irate Coun Francis Lankester rejected criticism from Labour's Coun Roger Berry that the council was being "dogmatic" in "destroying" a mature part of the park.

"He's got a flaming cheek - if he and his colleagues had built a supermarket there, we wouldn't be talking about this improvement," said Coun Lankester.

"We know this is a genuine attempt to improve the riverside parks."