A CRUMBLING Winchester car park has closed after years of safety concerns.

Barricades are being installed at Friarsgate multi-storey today, removing 131 spaces from the city centre.

The 1970s building’s steel skeleton had become misshapen, weakening the concrete which holds it up. Many parking bays had already been off-limits.

Civic chiefs say spaces are available at Chesil Street multi-storey and have promised more provision in new developments.

Workmen are installing metal barriers at entrances to Friarsgate to prevent homeless people from sleeping there.

Cllr Ernie Jeffs, Winchester City Council’s portfolio holder for transport, said: “The safety of residents and visitors comes first and Friarsgate car park has reached an age where we can no longer maintain it.

“We wish to make the best provision for visitors and shoppers to our city. Fortunately we have capacity in the system at most times of year and plans are in place to include appropriate park and ride and car parking in some of the city’s forthcoming developments.”

Friarsgate’s three disabled spaces will be replaced by four free bays at Cossack Lane, while five disabled bays in Middle Brook Street car park will be opened to parent and child parking.

Friarsgate, which is due to be replaced as part of the £165 million Silver Hill development, could be demolished separately due to the scheme’s legal delays, Cllr Jeffs said at a council meeting earlier this month.