Agenda and minutes

To note any substitution of Panel Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

The following substitution of Panel Member had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules:-

Councillor M. Cowan for J. Quinton.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J. Quinton.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 29 October 2020 and 17 November 2020 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meetings held on 29 October 2020 and 17 November 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on this Agenda.

Councillors S. Boulton and P. Zukowskyj declared a non-pecuniary interest in items on the agenda as appropriate by virtue of being Members of Hertfordshire County Council.

Report of the Chief Executive which sets out the proposed parking restrictions for Salisbury Village in Hatfield and the resultsof theinformal consultation,the statutoryconsultation, and the recommended course ofaction.

Members considered the report of the Chief Executive on the Introduction of waiting restrictions, resident permit scheme, clearway and verge and footway prohibition in various roads, Salisbury Village, Hatfield.

The report noted Salisbury Village is mainly a residential area encircled by:

·         the Ellenbrook Fields sports and leisure area

·         the University of Hertfordshire de Havilland Campus; and

·         the Hatfield Business Park

This area has a higher turnover of residents due to student accommodation properties.  There are some businesses and residences together with two care homes.

Hertfordshire County Council have been working on plans to adopt the highway in this area. Currently, parking controls within the area are managed privately.  Once the highway is adopted, these restrictions would cease immediately.  The current restrictions within Salisbury Village are operational 24/7. 

A survey was conducted in Salisbury Village area and residents were offered the following restriction options:

·                resident permit scheme;

·                single yellow line; or

·                no restrictions

As part of the survey, junction protection (double yellow lines) and the introduction of a verge protection order (VPO) was also consulted on.  Members were informed that due to a low response rate, the survey was reopened on 27 April 2020 (online and by post).

Following consideration of the report on the introduction of waiting restrictions and verge and footway prohibition in various road in this area and an Executive Member Decision Notice was made to progress the following proposals to the formal stage of the consultation process:

1.            To introduce a resident permit scheme operating Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm.

2.            To formalise existing double yellow lines which are already marked on the highway and to introduce other sections of double yellow lines to address other safety concerns.

3.            To introduce a Verge Protection Order which covers areas of footway and verges.

Members raised and discussed the following:

• What was the short term waiting plan around the school?  This had been raised at a previous meeting.  The Officer explained that talks were being held with the Deputy Head of Howe Dell School and a draft map had been produced, which had been accepted by the school.  A copy of the map will be circulated after the meeting.
• The roads – Cunningham Ave (portion of the road) and Dragon Rd were clarified together with current restrictions and the proposed time limits, which were still being negotiated and may see half an hour been taken off on either side of the waiting restriction times. Taking it down to 8-9am and 2-3.15pm.
• The school will still have double yellow lines outside to maintain flow of traffic.  Does not include Horsa Gardens.
• Concern was expressed in terms of available parking bays for parents dropping off and picking up children.  Would the new restrictions move vehicles to wait at unauthorised parking areas?  It was confirmed that the parking areas would be similar to the current scheme. Length of the road covered would be equal too. Exact measurement of the road in question would be made available after the meeting.
• A question  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

Report of the Chief Executive which sets out the proposal to introduce waiting restrictions in various roads in Essendon, Hatfield, including a summary of objections and recommended course of action.

The Panel considered the report of the Chief Executive on the introduction of waiting restrictions in various roads, Essendon, Hatfield.  The report noted that Parking Services Team had consulted residents (2018/19) in the area on possible parking restrictions.  At that time, it was identified that no restrictions were necessary due to concerns it would displace vehicles with no suitable alternative parking provision.  It has been recommended that double yellow lines within 10 metres of the junction be introduced to highlight Highway Code Rules, which would be a standard offering as part of all recent parking reviews.  Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) had confirmed that they would enforce the bus layby as residents have been using this as unofficial parking spaces.

The Parking Services Team worked with HCC to identify whether a temporary bus stop or alternative bus route would be feasible. It was agreed to introduce an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to enable better access for buses through the village. This comprised of double yellow lines within Church Street and West End Lane to a greater extent to what was proposed, with no provision for parking overnight or on a Sunday on West End Lane. It was confirmed that the bus stop would not be relocated, but would be altered to allow buses and residential parking.

The Parking Service Team received several objections to the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, including:

·         Reducing the length of yellow lines to allow further parking provision.

·         Giving further parking provision on West End Lane on Sundays for the church and outside of bus service operational times.

·         Some residents highlighted access issues in evenings in West End Lane where parking on both sides of the road was prohibiting vehicles from accessing driveways or the road itself.

The ETRO was withdrawn and consultation continued with the original parking restrictions for Essendon only.

There was an objection pertaining to the original proposed restrictions in Church Street and surrounding area (Appendix C) within the report.  The objection was of considerable length and a summary of the main grounds was provided within the report together the Council’s justification.

The proposal was welcomed and a Member stated that the planned package would help resolve the issues within Essendon.

RESOLVED:

(Unanimously)

The Panel considered the one objection received in 4.1 of the report. Having considered issues in this report including any proposed mitigating actions; recommends to Cabinet to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order.