Agenda item

To consider the outcome of a review of parking covering the whole borough, and recommendations to changes to parking, waiting and loading restrictions.

The Local Committee (Elmbridge) agreed:

(i)    The county council’s intention to introduce the proposals as detailed in Annex 1 is formally advertised, and subject to statutory consultation, including the following amendments:
Drawings 1 and 2 – add two additional bays at the north-east of Bridge Road with a 30 minute limit and extend the bays on Creek Road outside numbers 13/15
Manordene Close, Thames Ditton to advertise double yellow lines on one side of the close.

       Consider changing the hours of operation of the proposed zig zag restrictions in Thames Street to ensure that they correspond with school start and finish times.  If necessary, amend the existing zig zags to match.

(ii)   The county council’s intention to carry out informal consultations and, subject to satisfactory responses, refine the proposals as detailed in Annex 2 before being formally advertised and subject to statutory consultation;

(iii)  If objections are received the Parking Strategy and Implementation Team Manager is authorised to try and resolve them;

(iv)  If any objections cannot be resolved, the Parking Strategy and Implementation Team Manager, in consultation with the Chairman/Vice Chairman of this committee and the county councillor for the division, decides whether or not they should be acceded to and therefore whether the order should be made, with or without modifications:

(v)   To note the locations where we have received requests for new or amended parking controls, and following analysis, have recommended no changes at the current time, as detailed in Annex 3;

(vi)  That officers in consultation with members be asked to look at the impact of extending residents parking to Dorchester Road, Gascoigne Road Weybridge and take this forward if appropriate and also to consider a change in the hours for existing resident parking in the area eg Limes Road and Minorca Road to correspond with local car parks.

Reasons:  Changes to the highway network, the built environment and society mean that parking behaviour changes and consequently it is necessary for a Highway Authority to carry out regular reviews of waiting and parking restrictions on the highway network.

It is recommended that the waiting restrictions in this report are progressed as they will help to:

•      Improve road safety

•      Increase access for emergency vehicles

•      improve access to shops, facilities and businesses

•      Increase access for refuse vehicles, buses and service vehicles

•      Reduce traffic congestion

•      Better regulate parking

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Adrian Harris, Parking Engineer

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None

Member discussion –key points

It was noted that 310 requests for changes to on street parking restrictions had been received for consideration in this review including 19 petitions.

Whilst members sympathised with the difficulties faced by residents finding a parking space close to home when living near to Weybridge town centre, extending residents parking in a piecemeal way would probably impact on other roads. A review of the whole area taking account development taking place would be preferable.  However it was agreed to look at the issue and consider the possible impact of an extension of resident only parking.  It was noted that Elmbridge Borough Council are considering and extension of the chargeable parking hours in their car parks and there may be a need to adjust resident parking hours to match.

The Parking Engineer was thanked for his work on the review and his excellent knowledge of the area and the issues.

Resolved:

(i)    That the county council’s intention to introduce the proposals as detailed in Annex 1 is formally advertised, and subject to statutory consultation, including the following amendments:
Drawings 1 and 2 – add two additional bays at the north-east of Bridge Road with a 30 minute limit and extend the bays on Creek Road outside numbers 13/15
Manordene Close, Thames Ditton to advertise double yellow lines on one side of the close.

       Consider changing the hours of operation of the proposed zig zag restrictions in Thames Street to ensure that they correspond with school start and finish times.  If necessary, amend the existing zig zags to match.

(ii)   That the county council’s intention to carry out informal consultations and, subject to satisfactory responses, refine the proposals as detailed in Annex 2 before being formally advertised and subject to statutory consultation;

(iii)  That if objections are received the Parking Strategy and Implementation Team Manager is authorised to try and resolve them;

(iv)  That if any objections cannot be resolved, the Parking Strategy and Implementation Team Manager, in consultation with the Chairman/Vice Chairman of this committee and the county councillor for the division, decides whether or not they should be acceded to and therefore whether the order should be made, with or without modifications:

(v)   To note the locations where we have received requests for new or amended parking controls, and following analysis, have recommended no changes at the current time, as detailed in Annex 3;

(vi)  That officers in consultation with members be asked to look at the impact of extending residents parking to Dorchester Road, Gascoigne Road Weybridge and take this forward if appropriate and also to consider a change in the hours for existing resident parking in the area eg Limes Road and Minorca Road to correspond with local car parks.

Reasons:  Changes to the highway network, the built environment and society mean that parking behaviour changes and consequently it is necessary for a Highway Authority to carry out regular reviews of waiting and parking restrictions on the highway network.

It is recommended that the waiting restrictions in this report are progressed as they will help to:

•      Improve road safety

•      Increase access for emergency vehicles

•      improve access to shops, facilities and businesses

•      Increase access for refuse vehicles, buses and service vehicles

•      Reduce traffic congestion

•      Better regulate parking