Agenda item

This report seeks approval for construction of the parking lay-by and authority to advertise and make Traffic Regulation Orders to introduce a No Right Turn restriction and waiting restrictions as part of the scheme.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) resolved to agree:

i.               To defer this item to a future meeting of the Local Committee (Mole Valley).

Reason for decision:

To allow officers to bring additional information for consideration.

Declarations of Interest:

None

Officer attending:

Anita Guy (AG), Principal Engineer, South East Area Team

Petitions, Public Questions and Statements:

None

Main points of discussion:

There were a number of counter arguments raised by various members of the committee.

As a resident of Ashtead District Cllr Jones spoke out against the scheme and suggested that those who currently park on the existing single yellow line were not shoppers. These were more likely to be late commuters or possibly day-trippers to London unwilling to pay the £1 car park charge at the station rather than Ashtead residents. He stressed that the main issue was the unavoidable damage to the chestnuts which were considered a feature of the village.

The Chairman invited Paul Anderson, Strategic Parks and Parking Manager for MVDC to speak on behalf of the district council. He confirmed that much work had been done with the Area Highways Team and that all their requirements with regard to the trees had been met with the provisions set out in the published report. He pointed out that some of the original trees had been unhealthy and had already gone.

Cllr Dickson said she was uneasy about the plans and recounted when this scheme had previously been proposed and abandoned; rather than risking damage to the trees she would prefer trying double yellow lines and suggested that the matter should be either be refused or deferred.

Cllr Seed questioned whether the results of the consultation were still valid and suggested double yellow lines would be cheaper. She also informed the committee that one developer in the area would seek to retract the monies meant for parking and traffic issues, if they were used for this scheme.

The Chairman advised that it was not yet confirmed which developers’ funds would be used and if it was PIC money, there would more flexibility in where it could be spent.

Cllr Haque expressed his uncertainty on the issue. He said he did not want to make a decision without looking at other cheaper options and was concerned about protecting the trees.

Mrs Clack agreed with the district councillor and that although the local committee normally supported the local divisional member on matters, on this issue she had received letters from district councillors Hunt and Jones who disagreed with the scheme and would like it looked at again. She suggested that there was a need for a ‘no return’ scheme but the enforcement required would have to be costed out.

In response to a query from Cllr Elderton AG advised that they did not hold information on the current pattern of parking and Cllr Huggins concurred with the points put forward by Mrs Clack.

Cllr Stanyard recalled the original consultation in which large numbers of people had participated and as representative of a neighbouring ward, he was aware of how irate residents would be at having the scheme delayed further. He stressed that it was known at the time that the chosen option was the most expensive but that it represented best value.

Cllr Dickson moved for a refusal (seconded by Cllr Seed) and there was tied vote of 3 for and 3 against. In light of the previous discussions the Chairman proposed a deferral of the item to a future meeting and this motion was carried.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) resolved to agree:

i.               To defer this item to a future meeting of the Local Committee (Mole Valley).

Reason for decision:

To allow officers to bring additional information for consideration.

Cllr Stanyard left the meeting after this item at 4.03pm.