Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director sets out the results of the formal consultation, the informal consultation and the recommended course of action for the proposed resident parking permit scheme and double yellow lines in various roads in Welham Green.

Reportofthe ExecutiveDirectorsetting outthe resultsof theformal consultation,theinformalconsultationand therecommendedcourse ofactionforthe proposedresident parkingpermitschemeanddoubleyellowlines invariousroads inWelham Green.  Residents and businesses at 952 addresses had been consulted about proposals to prevent drivers from parking too close to junctions and on resident only parking.  One objection letter from three residents living at the same address had been received.

Officers advised that comments from two local residents had been circulated prior to the meeting to Members for information.

Officers advised that a site visit had taken place following the request of Panel Members at its last meeting on 6 October 2016 when, following discussion regarding the safety of the junction and double yellow lines at Station Road and Bulls Lane the decision had been deferred.

Officers acknowledged that the proposals were a significant departure from previous Traffic Regulation Orders implemented within the Borough and the concerns raised by the Vice-Chairman and supported by the Chairman on behalf of residents and the deferral of the decision were unprecedented. 

Officers thanked those Members who had attended the site visit or had visited independently.  Officers apologised to residents for the delay in the implementation of the parking scheme.

Officers advised that following the site visit Members had expressed the view that they were now satisfied with the safety of the proposal and double yellow lines and had no further concerns.

Members raised concerns that the implementation of the scheme should not set a precedentfor single parking bays.  Members were also of the view that proposals such as this should not be agreed without proper consideration and, where it was felt to be necessary, the challenge of the Panel, which had a duty to do so on behalf of residents of the Borough.

Officers, in response to further concerns raised by Members regarding the use of single spaces and double yellow lines, advised that this was an isolated incident in an unique area.  It was a small scheme, the smallest implemented in the Borough, which had created the situation.

Members were of the view that the Council should monitor closely vehicle displacement which resulted from the implementation of a parking scheme.

Officers also advised that when a parking scheme was proposed it was difficult to pre-empt the displacement of vehicles following the introduction of a scheme.  All schemes were monitored for six months following implementation.  Members expressed the view that the use of single car spaces should be discouraged. 

The Chairman of the meeting recognised the concerns raised by Members; assured the Panel that a rational decision had been made and that the implementation of this scheme would not create a precedent as each scheme would be assessed a case by case basis.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That it be noted that three objections from the same address had been received by the Council.

(2)       That following consideration of the objection received, in particular the issues raised around equalities and diversity and having considered all the detailed issues set out in the report of the Executive Director including any proposed mitigating actions, the recommendation to proceed with the creation of the Traffic Regulation Order in regard to the resident parking permit scheme and double yellow lines in various roads in Welham Green be made to the Cabinet.