Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive, which sets out the results of the informal consultation pertaining to Handside 4, the statutory consultation and the recommended course of action.

Report of the Chief Executive, which sets out the results of the informal consultation pertaining to Handside 4, the statutory consultation and the recommended course of action.

In April 2018, the Council undertook a parking survey with residents and businesses in Handside, Welwyn Garden City. This followed on from work already completed in the Longcroft Lane and Parkway areas of the Ward. The scope of the survey took in all roads to the west of Parkway and extended south from Brockswood Lane to its boundary with Lemsford Lane. The purpose of the survey was to engage with residents and businesses in seeking their views on parking options for the area.

Owing to the large geographical footprint of the survey, the area was further divided with the third parking consultation (Handside 3) comprising all roads to the east of Handside Lane. Of the responses received, a number cited non-residential long stay parking e.g. commuters, local workers etc. as responsible for creating parking pressure in their roads. The parking survey form offered residents a number of options to choose from; including yellow line waiting restrictions and resident permit parking schemes. Also included was the option ‘Do Nothing’ – leave things as they are. Residents were also given the opportunity to determine on which days and times they would like their restrictions to operate. The survey returns indicated a particularly high demand for resident permit parking (RPPS) schemes in the Guessens and Stanborough areas. A number of other responses also specifically related to safety concerns around schools. As part of this survey, residents were also asked to provide details of where they thought additional parking provision might be provided.

A number of schemes from Handside 3 have now progressed through the statutory consultation phase to full implementation. These include resident permit parking schemes in the Guessens area (Zone A12) and Stanborough (Zone A13), shared use permit parking bays in Birdcroft Road to service the new Surgery, new waiting restrictions in Applecroft Road and a verge protection order covering all remaining areas of Handside.

This particular consultation (Handside 4) takes in the remainder of Handside and comprises all roads to the west of and including Handside Lane; extending from Brockswood Lane to Lemsford Lane.

The following points were raised and discussed:

1.    That the Parking Team works with the congregation from the Synagogue to enable sufficient parking (around Barn theatre, Barn Close) to meet their requirements and have an agreement to relax restrictions around certain events/festivals throughout the year.  The Panel were advised that Officers will be speaking to members of the Synagogue to seek how they can be accommodated.

2.    Clarification was sought on, why the residents of Amethyst Walk and De Soissons Close were over ruled in their desire not to proceed with restrictions, as precedent had been set by Marsden Close and Marsden Green and residents from this area were looking for a post six month consultation with the Council; could this be explained?  It was noted that De Soissons Close is a private road. Amethyst Walk and Sefton Court were explained in terms of being in close proximity to Stanborough School and Splashlands, therefore included within the scheme.  There were not many responses from Sefton Court and it was explained that the private parking including the private bays would not be affected, just a small section of the main carriageway. Residents of both roads would be able to purchase vouchers for visitors.  It was clarified that Marsden Green and Marsden Close, were part of Handside 3 consultation; at the point of being considered, there was a petition from residents stating that they do not wish to be included within the proposed scheme for restrictions.  There was a six month monitoring period whereby the Parking Team took into accounts the comments.  The none-permit holders were parking in Marsden Green and Marsden Close and taking up the spaces.  Officers will be consulting with residents again to see whether there has been any changes in respect of committing to the scheme.  This work was still ongoing.  With some information being submitted too late it was not possible to include these areas in Handside 4 proposal as the schedule had already been advertised, but it will be considered as part of the Handside 4 six months post-implementation monitoring period, to address any issue that have arisen.

3.    Overall the Panel was pleased with the results of the consultation; there were only 8 objections (1%). Would like to see restrictions relaxed for events held by churches, synagogue and other places of worship. Officers to work with the worshippers to help ease parking difficulties at events.

4.    A Member asked if it would be possible to grant a 50% reduction for those on benefits, similar to senior citizen rate.  It was confirmed that it was not appropriate to hold a discussion on this subject at this meeting but could be considered by an alternative Committee/Panel.

RESOLVED:

(Unanimously)

1.    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Handside, Welwyn Garden City) (Restriction of Waiting, Parking Places and Permit Parking Zones) Order 2021”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Para 4 and in addition the issues raised in Section 15 around equalities and diversity. Having considered all the detailed issues in this report including any proposed mitigating actions; recommends to Cabinet to proceed with the creation of the amended traffic regulation order for the reasons set out in this report.

2.    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Handside, Welwyn Garden City) (Prohibition of Stopping and Waiting on Verge or Footway) Order 2020(Amendment No.1) Order 2021”

a) That the Panel recommends to Cabinet to proceed with the creation of the amended traffic regulation order for the reasons set out in this report.

b) No objections have been received to the amended traffic regulation order.