Agenda item

Crook - Parking & Waiting Restrictions Order 2019 - Report of Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services regarding objections received to a consultation concerning changes to a traffic regulation order in Crook (for copy see file of Minutes).

 

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that the Council were proposing to introduce a number of changes to the parking and waiting restrictions within Crook following requests from businesses and residents, specifically at the following locations:

 

·        Crook Market Place

·        Hope Street Car Park

·        B6298 / Park Avenue Close

·        Rear of Hope Street

·        Hope Street

·        North Terrace

·        Emerson Street/Dawson Street junction

·        West End Villas

·        Addison Street

·        A690/Dale View junction

 

A presentation was shown to the Committee which detailed the locations concerned, together aerial and street view images superimposed with the proposed traffic regulations.

 

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that the main proposed change for the Crook area related to the proposed introduction of a 3-hour parking limit at Crook Market Place. Parking surveys had indicated that the car park was full by 9am, with around two thirds of the vehicles remaining parked for most of the day. Around 70 out of 90 spaces were occupied by vehicles which did not move for four hours or more. Between 10am and 3pm, the Market Place car park runs at 90-95% capacity. The effect of the time limit would encourage a greater turnover of use and improve the economic vitality of the town. Displaced vehicles would be expected to park in one of the other non-restricted car parks within the town. In addition to the survey work, an additional 81 staff had been relocated to the Civic Centre from other County Council offices which had placed additional pressure on parking availability.

 

14 objections were received during the initial consultation phase and 10 objections were received during the formal consultation phase. All objections related to the restricted parking proposals (Mon – Sat, 8am - 6pm, 3 hours, no return within 4 hours) at the Market Place car park.

 

All of the objectors worked in the town and used the Market Place to park daily. The comments received suggested that there were no viable alternative parking areas and felt that that their only option would be to park in the surrounding residential streets. It was also noted that a number of objectors felt that the proposals would hinder businesses and their staff and that ultimately the scheme would be counter-productive. It was also argued by objectors that the restrictions would deter customers from using facilities and businesses in the town. One objector was opposed to parking charges being introduced.

 

The Strategic Traffic Manager explained that the survey work indicated that on average around 65 spaces were available (in each hourly period) in car parks near the Glenholme Boys Club and opposite the Football Club. Both of the car parks could be reached on foot within 5 minutes or so from the town centre and would be a viable alternative option for parking for workers.

 

The Chair of the meeting explained that one of the local Councillors, Councillor A Patterson was unable to be present at the meeting due to a prior engagement. Councillor Patterson had provided written representation which she had asked to be read out to the Committee in her absence. The representations were read out as follows:

 

I write in support of the parking restriction proposals for Crook. I am sorry I am unable to attend today’s meeting but would like to thank the Chair for allowing me to put forward my comments in my capacity as one of the elected members for Crook and as the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Rural Issues.

 

For many years Crook has had many issues around parking which is no different to other town centres.  At present we have limited space available within the immediate town centre for visitors and tourists, which does not support the local economy. Tourists and visitors often struggle to park as there is limited signage and the central parking on the market place is taken up by people who work in the town.  The traffic survey data indicates that most spaces are occupied all day limiting spaces for visitors. Meanwhile within a short distance of the town centre we have a high number of spaces left unoccupied for the majority of the day.

 

I have spoken at length with a number of local businesses and residents and also ran a social media campaign for feedback back in 2018. The majority of residents and businesses were in favour of restricting hours to solve the parking issues but were strongly against introducing parking charges.  Those businesses against the restrictions however, did prefer that their customers were able to park on the market place.

 

Retail is changing in many towns and villages and long term sustainability is a challenge for all.  In Crook we have a new Lidl store, an Aldi store under construction, which is due to open later in the year and a new Heron’s store.  Visitor numbers to Crook from the Dales are increasing for the weekly shop and we are becoming a more attractive “stop off” for visitors travelling to the Dales.  We have always felt there was a missed opportunity for Crook to be the “Gateway to the Dales” and parking has always been one of the barriers for attracting visitors.

 

I note the majority of objections have come from people who work in the town.  Whilst I accept that these people will be affected by the proposed changes, the changes would have a positive impact on the Town.  People who live and work in the town have the option of walking to work or parking a little further away.  It is only an additional 40-100 m to walk from the other long stay car parks in the surrounding areas. The extra few meters would have a positive impact on health outcomes and free up much needed parking spaces.

 

When people visit the town they want to be able to park in the most convenient place which is the market place.  At present we have people choosing to park on double yellow lines to visit the Barclays cash point as there are no spaces to park.

 

I also note that there have been several objections from Council staff. We now have more staff based at the Civic Centre in Crook which is helping to support the local economy. As the portfolio holder for Corporate Services I would like to make the committee aware that we have worked with employees who are new to the town to understand where alternative car parks are and we advise all our staff to be good neighbours.  It is positive for the town that we now need to limit time in the market place car park and we will work with our staff to ensure that the changes, if agreed, are understood. It is important to us that we are a good employer and a good neighbour.

 

Introducing the restrictions would have economic benefits, environmental benefits and health benefits and I would urge the committee to support the Officer’s recommendations.

 

The Committee then heard from Councillor A Reed, one of the other local Councillors for the Crook area. Councillor Reed thanked Highways Officers for their hard work in dealing with a very difficult situation. There had been many staffing moves to Crook Civic Centre which inevitably lead to an influx of vehicles. The Market Square was a busy area comprising two bus stops, shops, takeaways, cash machine etc and was a difficult area to navigate during school time and on an evening.

 

People had complained about being unable to park at the Doctors surgery as a result of other businesses using the same car parking area. The post office at Bridge Street was experiencing similar issues through workers parking vehicles outside and heading off to work.

 

Councillor Reed explained that Heron Foods, Aldi and Lidl were all being attracted to the area which was extremely good news for Crook. Councillor Reed did express concern for one business located on North Terrace which was adjusting its business model to change its ways of working and offering customers a delivery option. However, the business was having to park several minutes away. Councillor Reed asked if consideration could be given to allow businesses in the area to prosper and assist them with some form of restriction that would allow them to park/load and unload their delivery vehicles.

 

The Strategic Traffic Manager thanked Councillor Reed for her comments and explained that the matter relating to the business on North Terrace would need to be looked at as a part of a separate issue.

 

Councillor D Hicks explained that Consett had experienced the same problem with workers using car park spaces in the main car parks and since similar arrangements had been introduced in Consett, the problems had been alleviated and had made a big difference.

 

Councillor Considine informed the Committee that she was aware of the issues in and around Crook and felt that there was sufficient parking nearby.

 

Councillor I Jewell felt that the proposals presented a positive move forward and the Council was doing its best for the area.

 

Moved by Councillor J Considine, Seconded by Councillor D Hicks and

 

Resolved

That the Committee endorse the proposal to proceed with the implementation of the Crook Waiting and Parking Restrictions Order to the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services

Supporting documents: