Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director Regeneration and Economic Development regarding objections received to a formal consultation on a proposed traffic regulation order relating to Albert Road Car Park, Consett.  The effect of the order proposed that a Monday to Saturday, 8am – 6pm, 3 hour limit, no return within 1 hour restriction be implemented within the car park. (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Committee received a presentation from the Strategic Traffic Manager which detailed the location plan of the area. Albert Road Car Park, Consett was the largest and most generally recognised, convenient off-road parking facility within the town and was well used by workers and shoppers alike on a regular basis given its location next to a pedestrianised area.

The County Council had a commitment to try and manage the parking facilities within the town to encourage economic activity and the intentions of the traffic order would allow people from the outskirts to park near the town centre and carry out their shopping.

Parking surveys had been undertaken on two separate occasions in July 2013 and the Council had held a number of meetings with Councillors and traders in the area.  The results of the survey had indicated that Albert Road car park was 90% occupied by 9 a.m. on the dates monitored. 121 vehicles had been parked up for 3 hours or more.  80% of spaces were being used for long-stay parking which essentially acted to the detriment of others. 94 vehicles had entered the car park and exited without being able to find a space. It was felt that a more efficient way would be to limit parking time for three hours which would ensure a constant turnover of spaces.

Twenty objections had been received, some of which had similar themes. These had been grouped together in the report and were summarised to the Committee. Many of the objections provided reasons to have some form of control mechanism in place.  It was felt that the three-hour limit was common in most town centres regionally and it was felt that three hours parking in Consett would be adequate.

One of the aims of the scheme was to prevent people who worked in the town to obtain prime parking location and added that there were many other areas in the town centre to park, even if they were not as convenient as Albert Road.  The Council wished to move the emphasis and prioritise shoppers over people that worked in the town centre.

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that it would be important to keep an eye on any displacement of traffic to neighbouring streets and if that transpired the Council would have to look at remedying the situation.

One specific objection made reference to there being too much disabled parking and loading areas throughout the town taking up valuable parking space.  The Committee were informed that the current level of provision was required for people to access various facilities and the Council had worked with local shopkeepers to achieve the right balance and mix of loading facilities, with the Council always willing to change those facilities if need be.

In terms of the other representations that had been made, the Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that there was no resource to subsidise park and ride in the area, therefore, this was not a valid option.

Councillor Glass, one of the local Councillors for the area commented that cross-party support had been received for the proposal presented.  Traders in Consett desperately needed turnover in their businesses.  In addition to this small shops were failing and the town had recently seen the demise of in-shops and there was competition from out of town shopping centres. Councillor Glass also commented that there were a number of smaller car parks that could be utilised by shop workers.

Councillor Hicks commented that the issues highlighted had been ongoing in Consett for some time and it was fair to suggest that cars were being parked there all day. A local Aldi supermarket had a limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes to prevent the same issue and felt that three hours was an ample amount of parking time.

Councillor Hall asked who would be responsible for enforcing the parking time limit.  The Strategic Traffic Manager confirmed that the enforcement would be carried out by the Council’s enforcement team.

Councillor Ormerod was in favour of the proposal and was pro-business and felt that people needed to think about the economic wellbeing of the town centre.

Councillor Armstrong commented that the Council were correct in introducing the proposals which would encourage more people to visit the town centre and shop.

Councillor Milburn commented that she had worked in the town centre for eight years and Albert Road car park had always been problematic. It was often the case that if people were unable to park at Albert Road, they would simply travel to other areas.

Councillor Wilkes found it incomprehensible that traders would park in places primarily meant for shoppers and that businesses should be encouraging customers rather than deterring them in the current economic climate.

Resolved

That the recommendation contained in the report be agreed.