Issue - meetings

To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68.

Two petitions have been received and the officer response is provided:

Petition for parking restrictions on St Margaret Drive and St Elizabeth Drive to be modified to allow parents to park and stride to St Joseph’s RC School

822 Signatures.  Petitioners: the Governors of St Joseph’s School

Petition rejecting the above and asking for current parking restrictions to be maintained

84 Signatures. Petitioners: residents of Abelea Green estate which includes the roads listed above.

The Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed:

Decline the requested change to parking provision in St Margaret Drive and St Elizabeth Drive at the present time, as insufficient time has passed for new travel patterns to St Joseph’s School to have settled down, without prejudice to any future consideration of this request in the future.

Reasons: To allow travel patterns to become established before changes are made in the area.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: 2 petitions were received

The Head teacher of St Joseph’s School presented the petition for parking restrictions on St Margaret Drive and St Elizabeth Drive to be modified to allow parents to park and stride to access the school.  She expressed regret at having to submit the petition, but felt that there was a responsibility to keep the children safe.  The school already has supervised drop off before and after school and has staggered start and end times.  However there are a number of disabled pupils and also elderly and working parents who need easy access to the school.  60% of pupils already use sustainable transport options.  She expressed concern at the ability of emergency services to access the school following a recent incident early in the morning when it took 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.  The roads in Abelea Green are wide and safe and could allow children to walk safely from there to the school.

Nick Bathurst, representing the residents of Abelea Green who are opposed to any change in parking restrictions in the area, acknowledged that the recent dispute had damaged relationships with the school, but he looked forward to improved relations now that the matter had been resolved.  He felt that the petition should be considered on its merits, taking into account practicality and safety.  The roads in question are narrow cul-de-sacs and any relaxation in restrictions would allow access to any vehicle not just those wishing to use the parking spaces to access the school. Vehicles will be looking for spaces and trying to turn round which will lead to increased danger for children.  He commended alternative suggestions such as improvements to the phasing of the lights on Rosebank.

Member discussion –key points

The divisional member felt that it was too early to consider any changes at this point and that the changed access arrangements need more time to bed down.  She proposed an amended recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Teasdale.  On a vote it was unanimously:

Resolved:

To Decline the requested change to parking provision in St Margaret Drive and St Elizabeth Drive at the present time, as insufficient time has passed for new travel patterns to St Joseph’s School to have settled down, without prejudice to any future consideration of this request in the future.

Reasons: To allow travel patterns to become established before changes are made in the area.