Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services regarding a proposal to introduce traffic regulations in two locations at Shotley Bridge (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that one of the locations (Church Bank) had received no objections, therefore the presentation would focus on the Benfieldside Road proposal which had received an objection.

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that Benfieldside Road was a relatively busy road which had issues, such as it being on a hill and on a bend. The Committee received a presentation which comprised location plan and pictures of the area. The Committee noted an existing school keep clear on one side of the road and the proposed introduction of another ‘keep clear’ area on the other side of the road.

The Committee were informed that several requests had been received to reduce obstructive parking and improve road safety during school drop off and pick up times, including representations from the Headteacher of the School and Durham Constabulary.

The proposed restriction would operate from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am-9am in the morning and between 3pm to 4pm on the afternoon on the opposite side to the existing ‘School Keep Clear’ markings which operated from Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm near to Shotley Bridge Infants School.

The objector was unable to be present at the meeting. The Strategic Traffic Manager explained that the objector agreed that there should be some parking restrictions in place and agreed that school gate parking and keeping pedestrians safe was of importance. However, the objector felt that operating the restriction through the entire year was too much and suggested that restrictions should be to ban parking during school term time and school days only.

The Strategic Traffic Manager explained that legally this was not an option that could be taken in that all School ‘Keep Clears’ were permanent orders. The signage could also be quite complicated, and it was simply not possible to impose a restriction in place solely when the school was sitting, even though this was the time that obstructions occurred. There was no legal mechanism to achieve this outcome. In any event, it was not viewed as a good place for anyone to park, however, residents were able to park at the location outside of school times.

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that additional correspondence had been circulated from the objector prior to the meeting. These representations reiterated points made previously regarding the importance of road safety and there had been a suggestion that illuminated signage should be used at school times and enforcement powers used if vehicle were parked during this time.

The Strategic Traffic Manager informed the Committee that this was cumbersome because the sign would have to be programmed each year with the school holiday times. It would also mean that no one could be prosecuted for parking there. Therefore, the proposal set out in the report was the only way forward to achieve the desired outcome.

Councillor D Hicks informed the Committee that he knew the area very well and felt that the proposal was extremely important for the area in terms of road safety. The location was extremely busy and a main bus route. Councillor Hicks suggested that the entire length of Benfieldside Road should be looked at some point because the whole area was a nightmare. However, he accepted that the scheme was focussed on one area and offered his support for the proposal outlined in the report.

Resolved

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