Agenda item

To consider requests that have been received for either the introduction of new parking restrictions or changes to existing restrictions at various sites in Epsom and Ewell.

Since the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) in May 2005, new parking / waiting restrictions in Epsom and Ewell have been introduced in seven phases, with the most recent being implemented throughout 2013 and 2014.

This report details locations and general proposals for the Phase 8 parking / waiting restriction review to be progressed in 2014 / 2015 and seeks approval to carry out statutory consultation on the proposals.

That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed

(i)           The recommendations detailed in Annex 1 and 2, subject to the following amendments and additions:
Francis Close – add addition double yellow lines to the T junction at the top end of the Close;
Howard Avenue junction with Aragon Avenue – add in double yellow line junction protection to improve sight lines;
Castle Avenue junction with Ewell by-pass – add in double yellow lines around bend in Castle Avenue to improve sight lines;
Plan 22 – remove small area of proposed double yellow line on curve of Ruxley Lane slip road;
Plan 25 – ensure that yellow lines are a minimum of 15m on both sides at the junction in Heatherside Road;
Plans 56 and 57 – remove proposal to revoke restrictions in Woodcote Side from the consultation;
Plan 63 – remove from consultation;
Plan 35 – Add to Sefton Road, extend single yellow lines on both sides up to the Longmead carpark on the left and to Hollymoor on the right.  Time restrictions of 9.00-10.00 and 15.00-16.00 Monday – Friday;
Plan 45 – extend double yellow lines on the railway side of the road to start about one car length before the exit from Jewsons;
Plan 47 – advertise time restrictions of 10.00 till 14.00 to allow residents views on the most appropriate time period to be taken into account;
Parking bays in Waterloo Road – add a no return in 1 hour instead of the current 2 hours;
Town Centre RPZ – extend to residents of Chelsea Court and Greenwood Court but not the Old Court House [by 4 votes FOR to 3 AGAINST]
Plan 31 – amend times for No loading to match the no waiting restrictions;
Plan 32 – Extend proposed double yellow lines in The Kingsway to existing;
Plan 60 – add Miles Road to the map, include Court Lane in the consultation, extend Church Road to the junction with Pitt Road and College Road and add St Martin’s Close
Annexe 2 – Lintons Lane – add Leith Road, Portland Place, Stones Road and the remainder of Victoria Place;
Annexe 2 – Beaconsfield gardens – to consider dual use bays adjacent to the railway embankment

(ii)         That the preliminary consultation being progressed in relation to the RPZ proposals in Annex 2, are funded from the 2013/14 parking account surplus;

(iii)        That the County Council’s intention to make an order under the Road Traffic Regulation act 1984 be advertised and, if no objections are maintained, the order be made;

(iv)    That if objections are received the Parking Strategy and Implementation Group Manager is authorised to try and resolve them, in consultation with the Chairman / Vice Chairman of this committee and the county councillor for the division and to decide whether or not they should be acceded to and therefore whether the order should be made, with or without modifications.

Reasons:  The implementation of the proposals will both increase the safe passage of vehicles and also ease the parking situation within the mainly residential areas.

Declarations of Interest:  None

Officers attending:  Stephen Clavey, Senior Engineer

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements:  Three members of the public asked questions under Item 3 in relation to this item.

A resident of Wyeths Road had conducted a survey of residents and indicated that 75% of them were in favour of a residents permit zone and requested that this should be considered.  It was reported that this area is already included in the proposals at Annex 2.  She asked for further details of how residents could be involved to ensure that any scheme put forward met their needs.  The Senior Engineer indicated that subject to agreement by the Committee that a consultant will be employed to carry out investigations of all the proposed areas.  This will include a letter to every resident in the affected roads seeking their opinion on the options available.  Residents who don’t reply to the consultation letter are considered to be in favour of the proposals.  However, they and anyone else who may be interested have a further opportunity to contribute their views when any schemes agreed by the Committee are advertised for comment prior to a final decision.

In relation to Map 47 a resident of Chelwood Close asked whether it would be possible to change the times of the curfew parking to between 12 and 2 as he felt this would be more effective in preventing shift workers from the industrial estate from parking.  It appeared that other residents may have a different view on when is the most appropriate time.  The Committee therefore agreed to advertise a restriction between 10.00am and 14.00pm, to allow all residents an opportunity to contribute their views during the consultation, with a view to reducing this to a lesser period when the final proposal is considered.

A resident of Greenwood Court in The Parade, Epsom requested that they be added to the Residents Permit Zone for the town centre.  She is currently the only resident with a car although it would be necessary to include all residents should anyone else wish to apply.  All residents would be entitled to purchase visitor permits even if they did not own a car.

There was no indication of any further public questions or statements so the Committee moved to debate the options presented in the report.

Member discussion – key points

In relation to Map 43, members queried the application of the loading restrictions proposed for the High Street as it seems that not all of the shops currently have rear access to allow deliveries.  The senior engineer indicated that it would not be difficult to put in a delivery bay in the High Street for these shops so if agreed they would have to park in the rear access and walk goods round.  Members also queried whether vehicles using the rear access should be continuing on across Derby Square and exiting using the road to the rear of the car park as was originally planned as this is not currently possible due to obstacles in the way.  Officers indicated that further investigation would be required on the feasibility and safety of large vehicles crossing a pedestrian area. If this was not thought to be appropriate vehicles entering from Waterloo Road should reverse into the access road so that they can exit safely.

The Senior Engineer reported that there are currently 91 properties eligible for permits in the town centre residents permit zone.  59 permits have been issued and there are approximately 70 spaces available.  Members debated whether it was possible to add additional properties and on a vote it was agreed to add Greenwood Court and Chelsea Court as these residents had bought their properties before the permit scheme was implemented and could previously have parked in the road.  Residents of the Old Court House should have been made aware that a permit scheme would be introduced, when the property was built and that the property would not be included in the scheme.

Residents of Chartwell Place had requested a one way system.  It would not be possible to consider this as part of this parking review, but could be investigated by the Area Highways Team.

Resolved: That the Local Committee agreed

(i)           The recommendations detailed in Annex 1 and 2, subject to the following amendments and additions:
Francis Close – add in an extension to the existing double yellow lines at the junction to improve sight lines;
Howard Avenue junction with Aragon Avenue – add in double yellow line junction protection to improve sight lines;
Castle Avenue junction with Ewell by-pass – add in double yellow lines around bend in Castle Avenue to improve sight lines;
Plan 22 – remove small area of proposed double yellow line on curve of Ruxley Lane slip road;
Plan 25 – ensure that yellow lines are a minimum of 15m on both sides atthe junction in Heatherside Road;
Plans 56 and 57 – remove proposal to revoke restrictions in Woodcote Side from the consultation;
Plan 63 – remove from consultation;
Plan 35 – Add to Sefton Road, extend single yellow lines on both sides up to the Longmead carpark on the left and to Hollymoor on the right.  Time restrictions of 9.00-10.00 and 15.00-16.00 Monday – Friday;
Plan 45 – extend double yellow lines on the railway side of the road to start about one car length before the exit from Jewsons;
Plan 47 – advertise time restrictions of 10.00 till 14.00 to allow residents views on the most appropriate time period to be taken into account;
Parking bays in Waterloo Road – add a no return in 1 hour instead of the current 2 hours;
Town Centre RPZ – extend to residents of Chelsea Court and Greenwood Court but not the Old Court House [by 4 votes FOR to 3 AGAINST]
Plan 31 – amend times for No loading to match the no waiting restrictions;
Plan 32 – Extend proposed double yellow lines in The Kingsway to existing;
Plan 60 – add Miles Road to the map, include Court Lane in the consultation, extend Church Road to the junction with Pitt Road and College Road and add St Martin’s Close
Annexe 2 – Lintons Lane – add Leith Road, Portland Place, Stones Road and the remainder of Victoria Place;
Annexe 2 – Beaconsfield gardens – to consider dual use bays adjacent to the railway embankment

(ii)         That the preliminary consultation being progressed in relation to the RPZ proposals in Annex 2, are funded from the 2013/14 parking account surplus;

(iii)        That the County Council’s intention to make an order under the Road Traffic Regulation act 1984 be advertised and, if no objections are maintained, the order be made;

(iv)    That if objections are received the Parking Strategy and Implementation Group Manager is authorised to try and resolve them, in consultation with the Chairman / Vice Chairman of this committee and the county councillor for the division and to decide whether or not they should be acceded to and therefore whether the order should be made, with or without modifications.

Reasons:  The implementation of the proposals will both increase the safe passage of vehicles and also ease the parking situation within the mainly residential areas.