Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services regarding a number of proposed changes to the Redhills/Crossgate Area Parking and Waiting Restrictions Order 2018 (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Committee were informed that the Council regularly reviewed traffic regulation orders to ensure that the restrictions held within them were relevant and appropriate. The request to review the Redhills and Crossgate area of Neville’s Cross, originated from the local members and local residents who felt that a number of issues, namely repeated obstructive parking, visibility and safety issues needed addressing.

An initial informal consultation exercise was undertaken with statutory consultees and directly affected frontages in December 2017 and January 2018. Several objections were received at the time from directly affected properties. The objections received were addressed which resulted in some amended plans being drawn up for consultation. Once again, any objections were addressed and amended plans were issued in March 2018 to all directly affected properties and statutory consultees.

The Committee were informed that following this, a further additional request was received from a local resident asking the Council to give consideration to issues being experienced at the junction of Archers Court and Redhills Lane. Letters and plans were sent out to directly affected properties in August 2018. There were no informal objections and the amendments had support from the Police. The proposals were advertised formally on site and in the local press between 13th September and 5th October 2018.

Four formal objections, all of which originated from St Monica Grove were received. There was support from the Local Councillor who felt that the road safety benefits outweighed the potential issues that could be generated by displacement of vehicles and felt that the scheme was in the best interests of road safety and visibility.

Objections received regarding the displacement of vehicles were regrettable, however, the key point was that the restrictions would stop people parking on a double-bend which was unsafe.

One objector also asked if residents parking permit scheme could be introduced, however, the result of survey work determined that a resident permit parking scheme could not be pursued for St Monica Grove. The council’s policy in this regard was that more than 40% of kerbside space had to be occupied by non-residents for over six hours in the survey period and more than 85% of kerbside space occupied by any vehicles during the same six hours. In terms of St Monica Grove 25% of kerbside space was occupied for non-residential vehicles and 35% of kerbside space for any vehicles during the survey period.

Councillor R Ormerod felt there were clear safety reasons to stop people parking in specific locations throughout the estate concerned which was causing real difficulties. Councillor R Ormerod pointed out that the reference to Elm Road in report should read Elm Avenue.

Moved by Councillor J Turnbull, Seconded by Councillor O Milburn and;

Resolved

That the Committee endorse the proposal to proceed with the implementation of the Redhills/Crossgate area Waiting and Parking Restrictions Order with the final decision to be made by the Corporate Director under delegated powers.