The council received 169 responses to its consultation, of which around 35% requested that the parking be removed and the area pedestrianized for alternative uses such as a market, temporary stalls or fairs.

The council’s strategy and resources committee said it should not be its decision to close the car park but rather the community should decide through wider consultation.

Councilor Malcolm Prowse said there needs to be a broader strategy for parking and traffic, and wharf parking cannot be considered in isolation.

Members agreed they should continue to look at a business case for making the car park safer, but would postpone spending money until further discussions with city organizations had taken place.