Agenda item

To consider the outcome of a review of requests that have been received for either the introduction of new parking restrictions or changes to existing restrictions at various sites in Mole Valley. Requests were received from both local councillors and the public alike.

Since the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) in May 2005, new parking / waiting restrictions in Mole Valley have been introduced in several stages as part of our parking review process.

This report details locations and general proposals for the latest parking / waiting restriction review, to be progressed in 2021 / 2022, and seeks approval to carry out statutory advertising of the proposals. Proposals also include a number of on-street electric vehicle charging point bays.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed:

(i) That the county council’s intention to introduce the proposals in Annex 1 is formally advertised, and subject to statutory consultation;

(ii) That if no objections are received when the proposals are advertised, the appropriate traffic regulation orders are made;

(iii) That if objections are received which cannot be resolved, in accordance with the county council’s scheme of delegation, the Parking Strategy and Implementation Team Manager considers them, in consultation with the Chairman / Vice Chairman of this committee and the county councillor for the division, and decides whether or not they should be acceded to and therefore whether the order should be made, with or without modifications.

(iv) the locations identified for conversion in to on-street electric vehicle charging points are approved. These locations are shown in Annex 2

(v) That the Parking Strategy and Implementation Team Manager is delegated authority to adjust the positions of the on-street Electric Vehicle charging bays in consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair and Local Member prior to statutory consultation (if necessary). These locations are listed in each County Councillors division of this report, and displayed in their own set of drawings (Annex 2)

Reasons for recommendations:

It is recommended that the waiting restrictions are implemented as detailed in Annex

1. They will make a positive impact towards:

·         Road safety

·         Access for emergency vehicles

·         Access for refuse vehicles

·         Easing traffic congestion

·         Better regulated parking

·         Better enforcement

This will help us achieve our 2030 Community Vision objectives:

·         Residents live in clean, safe, and green communities where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities.

·         Journeys across the county are easier, more predictable, and safer.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Stephen Clavey, Senior Engineer (Parking), SCC

Petitions, Public Statements, Questions: None

Key points from the discussion:

The Senior Engineer explained that since the report had been written, the proposed locations for electric vehicle charging points on Woodbridge Avenue (Leatherhead) and Chart Lane (Dorking) would now prove too expensive to implement and were therefore to be removed from the report and would not be advertised.

A number of members raised points concerning proposed changes to restrictions in their areas:

Cllr Townsend confirmed he had discussed with the Senior Engineer his wish for the double yellow lines on Woodfield Lane that are being repainted to be extended to the garage, taking in two existing parking spaces that are left over from when there were shops at the location. His second point was in relation to parking near the Exxon centre and St Andrews and Downsend schools in Leatherhead, and concerns that any new restrictions would displace the large numbers of cars parking on the street to nearby locations. A meeting in the near future with the head teachers of the two schools, the local Member, Chairman and road safety officers would be useful.

The Vice-Chairman informed Members that residents of Sondes Farm had indicated a wish to be part of the Glebe Road residents’ parking scheme (rather than simply being allowed to by visiting parking permits) and asked for the advertisement to be adjusted accordingly.

The Street in Fetcham and Bookham was discussed, with concerns expressed over the impact of new parking restrictions on local retailers balanced by the view that it would be better to wait until the proposed development at the Tudor Motors site had taken place before introducing restrictions. It was also noted that the road is a bus route and there had been no applications from the bus operator for temporary restrictions as a result of parked cars obstructing the buses. From a practical point of view the narrow footway would make it difficult to instal the required signs, which are necessary to enable enforcement.

The Chairman requested the removal of a redundant disabled parking bay on Upper Fairfield Road, with the space being returned to regular parking.

Cllr Kennedy requested that restrictions be considered opposite the junction of Copperfields and Penrose Road.

The Senior Engineer agreed to consider these requests when advertising the proposals.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed:

(i) That the County Council’s intention to introduce the proposals in Annex 1 is formally advertised, and subject to statutory consultation;

(ii) That if no objections are received when the proposals are advertised, the appropriate traffic regulation orders are made;

(iii) That if objections are received which cannot be resolved, in accordance with the County Council’s scheme of delegation, the Parking Strategy and Implementation Team Manager considers them, in consultation with the Chairman / Vice-Chairman of this committee and the County Councillor for the division, and decides whether or not they should be acceded to and therefore whether the order should be made, with or without modifications.

(iv) the locations identified for conversion in to on-street electric vehicle charging points are approved. These locations are shown in Annex 2

(v) That the Parking Strategy and Implementation Team Manager is delegated authority to adjust the positions of the on-street Electric Vehicle charging bays in consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair and Local Member prior to statutory consultation (if necessary). These locations are listed in each County Councillor’s division of this report, and displayed in their own set of drawings (Annex 2)

Reasons for recommendations:

It is recommended that the waiting restrictions are implemented as detailed in Annex

1. They will make a positive impact towards:

·         Road safety

·         Access for emergency vehicles

·         Access for refuse vehicles

·         Easing traffic congestion

·         Better regulated parking

·         Better enforcement

This will help us achieve our 2030 Community Vision objectives:

·         Residents live in clean, safe, and green communities where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities.

·         Journeys across the county are easier, more predictable, and safer.