Exeter City Council has withdrawn its £2.5 million plans to refurbish the upper decks of the Cathedral & Quay multi-storey car park and outsource its daily management.
A brief report summarising the plans was brought direct to a city council meeting without being first scrutinised by councillors, as required by local government legislation.
The meeting was repeatedly paused so council leader Phil Bialyk could confer with senior council officers in response to numerous concerns raised by councillors about the plans.
The upper decks of the 355-space council-owned car park were closed six years ago after a survey revealed structural defects.
The council says it has been advised that the car park is now capable of “withstanding” the loads it was designed to carry.
