Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) sets out the results of the formal consultation, the informal consultation and the recommended course of action for the proposals for a resident parking permit scheme and waiting restrictions.

Reportofthe ExecutiveDirector (Public Protection, Planning & Governance) setting outthe resultsof theformal consultation,theinformalconsultationand therecommendedcourse ofactionforthe proposedresident parkingpermitschemeandwaiting restrictions. The purpose of the consultation was to prevent long term parking by non-residents.   A total of 402 properties were consulted on the proposals and the Council had received ten letters of objection to the formal consultation.

In 2015, Parking Services carried out a general parking survey in Handside Welwyn Garden City.  The initial results from the general survey suggested that a number of roads in the Longcroft Lane area would consider the implementation of a resident parking permit scheme (RPPS).  In June 2016, a further consultation commenced in this area, based upon the findings of the 2015 survey.

In the survey letters of June 2016, residents were asked to confirm their original choice for a RPPS, together with their preferences for operating times.  Of the roads consulted, Parkfields, Fordwich Road and Rooks Hill in the survey of 2015 had shown no interest in a permit scheme.  In the 2016 survey they voted to retain their existing restrictions and not be included in a RPPS.  The majority of residents voting for the permit scheme had opted for the Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm operating time.  The table within the report illustrated the replies received from total number of properties.

The report noted that no objections had been received during the consultation process by any of the statutory consultees.  These included, but not limited to Hertfordshire County Council, Ward Councillor or the Police.

Members considered the objections, including an objection which was circulated at the meeting in respect of Parkfields.  The objections noted that residents had voted to retain their existing restrictions and not be included in the RPPS.

There had been a number of comments from residents who live in Longcroft Lane.  The comments related to the proposed double yellow line protection around the areas of Longcroft Lane in the centre currently ‘stopped’ up. Citing loss of on-street parking.  To satisfy those residents, the double yellow lines have been removed from the proposals.  The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) has been amended together with the submission of a new drawing, as shown in Appendix B within the report.

Members noted that ten letters of objection (Appendix C) to the proposed TRO and a summary of grounds for their objection were considered.  The reasons for moving forward with the proposals were also deliberated.

The people most likely to benefit from these proposals would be residents.  Only a RPPS would provide residents and their visitors to park on the road during the hour(s) of the restriction.  The removal of yellow lines would reduce maintenance costs.  Parking Services were confident that in their opinion this was the best option for residents.  All monies accrued would be channelled into both the enforcement and operation of the scheme and were designed to be self-financing.

A small error was noted on the plan relating to the Traffic Regulation Order.  The Officer explained that there were two orders that were being considered. 

RESOLVED:

(1)       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 ExecutiveDirector (Public Protection, Planning & Governance) 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 waiting restrictions in various roads be made to the Cabinet.

(2)       That it be noted that Parkfields will not to be included within the Residents Parking Permit Scheme.