Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director, Regeneration and Economic Development regarding an objection received during the formal consultation to a proposed traffic regulation order covering the South West of Durham City.  The objection had been received as part of a monitoring exercise to ensure that the County Council maintained an efficient and effective Civil Parking Enforcement regime. (for copy see file of Minutes).

A formal consultation exercise had been carried out advertising the existing orders, the vast majority of which had remained unchanged.  Amendments had been proposed for the following areas:

·         Milburngate – change to disabled parking;

·         A177 lay-by (south of Howlands park and ride) – waiting restrictions;

·         Laburnum Avenue – introuduction of no waiting at any time;

·         Redhills Lane – introduction of no waiting Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All of the amendments had been unopposed, with the exception of the introduction of the no waiting restrictions at Redhills Lane.  The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that the amendments to Redhills Lane had been proposed following requests from local residents and explained that officers had worked closely with residents in trying to devise a scheme that would benefit all residents and it was unfortunate that one objection remained.

The Committee received a presentation which illustrated the extent of the proposed restrictions.  These were in close proximity to Durham Johnston School and were subject to a high level of parking.  This lead to road safety concerns, particularly on a section of carriageway where vehicles were being parked on either side of a sharp bend in the road.  The Committee noted the location of the objector and the effect of the various amendments to the order, along with two images. One image showed over 20 vehicles parked on one side of the road, without any passing places thereby reducing the road to one-way.  The other image showed vehicles parked opposite driveways and dropped kerbs which blocked access and exit to residents (for presentation see file of Minutes).

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that the proposed restrictions during the initial consultation exercise were equidistant either side of the bend, however, this had led to objections from other local residents as they felt that restrictions at that length would not resolve the problems being encountered.  Other residents of Redhills Lane were not supportive of a reduction in length to the proposed restrictions.  There had been no requests from residents to implement permit parking in the area and any requests would be considered against specific criteria.

The objector felt that the restrictions should be equidistant either side of the bend and reduced in length by approximately two thirds at the south eastern end.  The objector also wished to see the introduction of residents parking permits if the scheme were to go ahead.

The Committee had also been provided with a further letter of representation from the objector which had been circulated to the Committee at the request of the objector, in his absence.  The letter to the Committee contained points suggesting that the proposal:

·         had been devised on incorrect assumptions;

·         favoured a number of residents whilst not granting other residents the same privileges and if there were to be any long-term permanent issues it would pass any problems onto other parts of Redhills Lane and neighbouring streets;

·         was not equidistant;

·         would incur unnecessary costs associated with creating and maintain the parking restrictions; and

·         was an attempt to introduce reactive legislation against an old problem that was currently negligible and would shortly not exist at all.

Councillor N Martin, local County Councillor for the Neville’s Cross Electoral Division indicated his support for the proposed scheme and explained to the Committee that parking problems in the area started to surface approximately a year ago.  The main issue related to vehicles being parked on the bend. It was felt that the initial proposals had been too constrained.  Since that time the proposal had been worked through, culminating in the final proposal presented before the Committee and supported by the majority of local residents.

Councillor O Gunn also expressed her support for the scheme having visited the area and fully considered the report, together with the detail of the extensive consultation.

In response to a question from Councillor D Hall regarding enforcement of the restrictions, if implemented, the Strategic Traffic Manager confirmed that civil parking enforcement was a matter for the County Council, carried out by its own traffic wardens.  The area could be targeted for enforcement if motorists ignored the restrictions, however, in most cases, the majority of motorists tended to adhere to parking restrictions.

Councillor J Turnbull commented that he was in favour of the scheme given the road safety concerns and the nature of parking in the area. However, he expressed concern that similar problems may arise in neighbouring streets, particularly, St. Aidan’s Crescent, once cars were displaced from Redhills Lane.  In response, the Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that motorists would be displaced with the effect of the traffic order and the County Council would have to address such issues if they arose.

Resolved

That the recommendations contained in the report be agreed.