Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services which proposed the introduction of ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions (double yellow lines), at Green Lane, Gilesgate (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that several requests had been received to address ongoing obstructive parking, visibility and safety issues along Green Lane, Gilesgate, a residential area off Sunderland Road in Gilesgate.

The street was a narrow one-way road with terraced residential properties to the south east of the road. The remaining properties were mainly bungalows occupied by elderly people and people with mobility issues. There was one single footway to the south east, next to the terraced properties. Most properties had no off-street parking.

There was one objection from a resident of Green Lane. The objector alleged that there was no alternative parking and that Green Lane was not a dangerous road which everyone travelled slowly.

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that the site visit made by traffic officers highlighted that the parking situation was obstructive. In some cases, vehicles were parked up to the walls of the properties, and wheelchair and pushchair users would not be able to use the footway. There was no alternative footway on the opposite side of the carriageway so the single footway leading onto Sunderland Road to access local amenities and the bus stop was necessary for pedestrian safety. The Committee then viewed a presentation which provided location plans of the area, together with examples of some of the parking observed. During the site visit it was felt that there was not enough space for larger delivery vehicles to pass parked vehicles, indeed a van was bumped onto a small section on kerbing on the west side of the carriageway. Obstructive parking to the extent observed could cause difficulties for emergency services gaining access.

The North East Ambulance Service were also in support of the proposals. There was alternative unrestricted parking available to the north of Green Lane and in surrounding nearby streets. Having considered all this information in the round it was felt that the ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions should be introduced in the interest of pedestrian and road safety.

Councillor Dunn informed the Committee that as a former resident of Gilesgate and lived a few hundred metres away from Green Lane. In his experience the street had always been the same. There had always been enough space for cars to park on the road and for cars to travel down the lane. There were 24 houses with absolutely no parking at all at nearby Wynyard Grove. Councillor Dunn explained that if the parking restriction was imposed on Green Lane, any cars from those properties would park in the nearby bungalows and potentially make those properties suitable for people with either no cars of become student only houses. Councillor Dunn felt that the pictures which displayed vehicles parked on footpaths demonstrated illegal parking because it would not allow access for pushchairs or buggy’s and under those circumstances felt that they should be appropriately ticketed and fined. Councillor Dunn did not feel the parking order was appropriate and could not support it and Moved rejection of the proposal. Councillor J Turnbull also supported the view expressed by Councillor Dunn.

In response to a question from Councillor K Thompson regarding pavement parking. The Strategic Traffic Manager explained that the vehicle could be given a ticket by the police for parking in the manner viewed on the presentation, however, it was highly unlikely that the police would allocate any resources to do so. Indeed, it was the Police who had lobbied the County Council to put yellow lines down which would stop people parking their vehicle in the manner observed. The scheme had also been supported by the local members, the police and the residents in the area.

Councillor Dunn explained that the local police office was around 200m away from Green Lane and suggested that it was easily enforceable and this should not be an argument. Councillor Dunn apologised to the three local members but felt that the road had been wide enough for the last 50 years. The cars obstructing the footpath were not doing so unnecessarily and the width of the carriageway was suitable enough to travel down the road, including coal wagons. Cars would be displaced into a sheltered bungalow development which would not be appropriate.

The Legal Advisor advised that the proposal was to either support the recommendation for or against and advised the Committee to vote on that basis.

Upon a vote being taken the number for and against being equal at 6 votes for and 6 votes against, the Chair in accordance with of the Constitution exercised his casting vote and it was

Resolved

That the Committee agree to endorse the proposals and recommend to proceed with the implementation of the Green Lane, Gilesgate Parking and Waiting Restrictions Order 2019. With the final decision to be made by the Corporate Director under delegated powers.