Agenda item

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

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that the Council had received several requests to address ongoing obstructive parking, visibility and safety issues at the following locations within the Newton Aycliffe area:

·        Hurworth Road

·        Millennium Way

·        Long Tens Way

·        Greenfield Way

·        Welbury Grove

·        Middridge Village

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 Committee were informed that the proposals for all areas would see the introduction of a ‘no waiting at any time’ restriction (double yellow lines) and summarised the proposals in respect of each area.

Hurworth Road

Proposals had been requested by local business owners to enable current and potential new businesses to have access within and around the Hurworth road. The area was currently unrestricted, which meant that vehicles often parked and blocked access for vehicles and HGV’s. Some vehicles are believed to be owned by staff commuting to work and are parked for the full duration of the day.

Two objections had been received and were detailed in the report. The Strategic Traffic Manager explained that the proposals would allow for loading and unloading for local businesses and for people to drop off and pick up passengers. The restrictions would improve accessibility, visibility and reduce the amount of obstructive all-day parking.

The objectors argue that the restrictions would adversely affect their businesses, however it is the council’s belief that the wider benefits for the businesses on the estate outweigh such adverse impacts for these two objectors.

Middridge Village Hall

Measures were requested by Middridge Parish Council to address obstructive parking near the Village Hall, which would improve movement of vehicles around the area.

One person had objected to the proposals on the basis that cars parked were not prohibiting access and were only doing so due to a lack of off-street parking. The objector felt that examples of obstructive parking were experienced elsewhere in the village.

Millenium Way / Moordale Road / Long Tens Way

The proposals were requested by local business owners in a bid to reduce obstructive parking and improve road safety. There had been no objections to the proposal.

Welbury Grove

The proposals had been requested by local residents in a bid to reduce obstructive parking and improve road safety. There had been no objections to the proposal.

Greenfield Way

The proposals were to improve road safety with regards to parked vehicles on Greenfield Way as per the request from both local County Councillors. There had been one objection to the proposal. The objector was pleased that the Council were attempting to resolve an ongoing problem but felt that the only way to solve the ‘chaotic’ traffic problems would be to have a traffic management scheme that compelled all arrivals and departures from the school to follow a single route.

In response the Strategic Traffic Manager explained that the proposal of a traffic scheme to create a one-way system using undeveloped land would be costly and could potentially cause delays with commuters and road users of the current heavily trafficked area. The current proposals would improve the safety of pedestrians and road users with an instant benefit.

Councillor K Hopper explained that Greenfield Way was one of the main arterial routes in and out of the area and carried a lot of traffic and could understand why the area needed to be improved from a safety point of view.

Moved by Councillor I Jewell, Seconded by Councillor O Milburn

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.