Issue - meetings

To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47. Notice should be given in writing to the Partnership Committee Officer by 12.00 noon four working days before the meeting.

That the Local Committee [Elmbridge] agreed:

To note the question submitted and to add the issue of whether it would be appropriate to harden verges in areas where there is insufficient parking to the Committee’s prioritisation list for further consideration.

Reasons:  Verges are currently being badly damaged by parking and a solution to parking issues in these areas should be considered.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None

Mr Ernest Mallet expanded on the reasons for his question.  To solve the issue of residents parking on verges, as there is insufficient parking in the roads mentioned, will require a mixture of highway land and land owned by PA Housing.  A CIL application could then be made.  However funding for a feasibility study in the region of £5-10k is required to draw up plans for any highway land required.

Member discussion –key points

Members were familiar with the issues and it was suggested that hardening the verges with grasscrete or a similar product would retain the grass whilst allowing parking.

The Area Highway Manager responded that there is no statutory duty to provide parking spaces and that it would be contrary to a number of environmental policies.  If parking were prohibited the verges would be suitable for tree planting.  It would be possible for PA Housing to submit a CIL bid for work on their land alone with highways just considering access approval if necessary.

Whilst members appreciated these concerns, they felt it was not practical to restrict parking on the verges as this would move the issue elsewhere as there are few alternatives available to replace car travel in the area.  However, there were concerns that there are similar issues across the Borough and it may set a precedent to fund this work in one area. 

Members were invited to send details of similar sites in their areas so that these could be mapped to determine the extent of the issue.  In the mean time it was

Resolved:

To note the question submitted and to add the issue of whether it would be appropriate to harden verges in areas where there is insufficient parking to the Committee’s prioritisation list for further consideration.

Reasons:  Verges are currently being badly damaged by parking and a solution to parking issues in these areas should be considered.