Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services), which sets out the results of the informal consultation, the statutory consultation and the recommended course of action. A total of 258 properties and businesses have been consulted.

The Chairman announced that there had been a number of late representations made which the Panel have not been able to give due consideration to and that on this occasion the information circulated/presented at the meeting would be taken into account but reiterated that this was not good practise. 

The recommendation in the published report was:

That the Panel consider the objections received in 4.1, 4.3, 4.5 and 4.7; in particular the issues raised in Section 12 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 both the Orders as advertised (Appendix B), for the reasons set out in this report.

Due to the late representations received relating to The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Handside, Welwyn Garden City) (Prohibition of Stopping and Waiting on Verge or Footway) Order 2017, the recommendation was split into two parts

1.    That the Panel consider the objections received relating to The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Handside, Welwyn Garden City) (Prohibition of Stopping and Waiting on Verge or Footway) Order 2017  which are located in 4.1, 4.3, 4.5 and 4.7; in particular the issues raised in Section 12 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 this Order as advertised (Appendix B), for the reasons set out in this report.

2.    That the Panel consider the objections received relating to The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Welwyn Garden City) (Restriction of Waiting and Permit Parking Zones) Order 2017 which are located in 4.1, 4.3, 4.5 and 4.7; in particular the issues raised in Section 12 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 this Order as advertised (Appendix B), for the reasons set out in this report.

Members considered the report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) on the review of waiting restrictions and introduction of verge protection order in various roads, Handside Ward in Welwyn Garden City (WGC). The Panel was advised that the first recommendation relating to the Verge Protection Order would not be dealt with at this meeting, as further consideration was required and this would be deferred to a future meeting.

Members considered the second recommendation relating to the resident parking permit areas and sections of double yellow lines. The report noted that residents and businesses in parts of Parkway, WGC and surrounding roads were consulted about proposals based upon the findings of a general parking survey in 2015.  As well as a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for waiting restrictions devised from the recent parking consultation. 

Parkway, due to its length and varying characteristics was divided into four separate sections; A, B, C and D. In addition to these areas, separate consultations also took place regarding proposed waiting restrictions in Longcroft Green and a request for junction protection in Fordwich Road. As a result of a number of requests for clarification and/or additional enquiries, the consultation period for Parkway C was extended to provide more time for residents to absorb all the relevant information.

The report set out the results of the informal consultation, the statutory consultation and the recommended course of action. A total of 258 properties and businesses have been consulted.  38 objections have been received (see Appendix A attached to the report).

The following points were made and discussed:

·         Longcroft Green – proposed double yellow lines around the junction was advertised to be controlled by a single yellow line Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm waiting restriction.  However, in response to an objection this was reduced to Monday – Friday so that visitors to residents in this area would be able to park on Saturdays. The main reason for introducing the restrictions was to address access issue that the waste collection service was having. 

·         Parkway A – The cul-de-sac which has been increased to accommodate another 7 parking spaces (previously there had been two formal spaces). This area was proposed to be a resident’s only due to the location of the houses and the lack of available space to be able to create their own off-street parking within the boundary of the private property.

Members queried why the restriction was until 5pm and not 6pm.  As this was further away from the town centre residents felt that a 9am to 5pm was sufficient. The remainder of Parkway to the junction of Rooks Hill/Turmore Dale the council is proposing a single yellow line operating Monday – Saturday, 9am – 11am.

·         Parkway B between the junctions of Turmore Date and Barleycroft Road, majority of which is currently controlled by a single yellow line waiting restriction, Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm. Additional parking bays are proposed for resident only parking in this stretch of Parkway.

·         Parkway C – It was noted that the section of Parkway between Barleycroft Road and Church Road (Zone A04) has shared parking bays, which allowed anyone to park for 2 hours or resident permit parking which operated for the same days and times as Zone A03 8am-6pm. Residents in A04 have reported difficulty to find available parking due to competing with non-residents as this was a main thorough-fare into the town centre therefore visitors coming in this way would see a space and take it. This compared to the other side which is very frequently empty. This was witnessed by officers during site visits. Also, reports were received from some residents stating they didn’t have enough parking availability within Parkway Close. Due to these reasons the Council proposed to merge both schemes together and make it resident only operating Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm. This would increase to amount of parking available for residents in both areas to use during the operating days and times.

·         Parkway C – a question was raised in respect of an assessment being carried out on the impact on the town centre; 2 hour parking in bays and their usage.  Also whether the Town Centre have had an input, as there was no reference in the report.  It was noted that although there was no information in the report this had been assessed on site visits, in which spaces were always available on the other side of the road and in other roads which have limited waiting free of charge.

·         There were no changes to the Parkway D.

·         Concern was expressed regarding crossovers and their use together with parking, as it obstructed the crossing points for pedestrians, especially persons with mobility impairment and those with pushchairs.  It was also considered as being thoughtless parking, as it caused problems for people getting vehicles in and out of driveways.

·         A question was raised in respect of disability needs for individuals being covered.  The Officer advised that the paperwork issued did not specially ask about disability requirements but the Council worked with the individuals to ensure that their needs were met.

·         It is important that with any parking proposals that the Estate Management Scheme is upheld with any proposed amendments. Planning team may need to be involved with any proposals to ensure they protect the ethos of the Garden City.

It was moved by Councillor M. Cowan and seconded by Councillor P. Zukowskyj that the wording in the recommendation be amended to include the following wording:

‘This Panel expresses opposition to merging A03 and A04’.

On the amendment being put to the meeting there voted:

FOR approval of the amendment – 2

AGAINST approval of the amendment – 9 and the amendment was declared lost.

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

1.    That the Panel consider the objections received relating to The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Welwyn Garden City) (Restriction of Waiting and Permit Parking Zones) Order 2017 which are located in 4.1, 4.3, 4.5 and 4.7; in particular the issues raised in Section 12 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 this Order as advertised (Appendix B)with amendments (Appendix C), for the reasons set out in this report.