Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth which advised of the proposed changes to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in Barnard Castle and requested that they consider the objections made during the informal and formal consultation period (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategic Traffic Manager gave a detailed presentation which included site location plans, aerial photos and photographs of the sites and details of the following restrictions:

·      To introduce ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions (double yellow lines) on both sides of the junctions of Kirk View and Bede Road with the A67 to address access issues for residents, refuse vehicles and emergency services on Kirk View and Bede Road with road safety concerns being highlighted by residents and Durham Constabulary for Churchill Road. Five objections were received in the informal consultation phase.

·      To extend the existing ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions (double yellow lines) on the south side of Victoria Road adjacent to no.70 Victoria Road to address visibility and access concerns for residents due to the curvature of the road. One objection had been received during the informal consultation phase from directly affected frontages.

·      To introduce ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions (double yellow lines) on the south side of Hall Street to address access issues with emergency and refuse vehicles. Three objections had been received during the informal consultation phase from directly affected frontages.

·      To introduce ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions (double yellow lines) on the junctions of Birch Road and Park Terrace with Newgate to address reports of obstructive parking on the junctions of Birch Road and Park Terrace resulting in access and visibility issues. One objection had been received during the informal consultation phase from directly affected frontages.

Mrs Rutter addressed the Committee in objection to the ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions on both sides of the junctions of Kirk View and Bede Road with the A67.  She explained that she had lived on the north side of Bede Road for 40 years and had witnessed a lot of changes over this time. She highlighted rule 243 of the Highway Code and felt that if this was enforced, double yellow lines would not be necessary. She referred to only a few occasions where there had been cars parked right down to the junction.

In relation to the refuse lorry, she explained that most cars in Kirk View were parked there at the time the collection took place, 7am on a Friday morning, but advised that there were only two occasions last year where the service was affected. She suggested the refuse collection time be changed to alleviate the issue. She appreciated that there was a school close by but confirmed that she was not aware of any problems with school children having to walk around parked cars.

She went on to explain that there had been occasions where visitors to her property could not get parked on the south side of Bede Road or Kirk View and this had pushed parking onto Victoria Road and Churchill Road. She stated that the situation was not straightforward due to most households having two cars. She informed the Committee that she had not seen anyone enforcing parking restrictions on this junction and believed the double yellow lines were unnecessary.

In response to the point raised by Mrs Rutter regarding rule 243 of the Highway Code, the Strategic Traffic Manager clarified that this was a police matter. He explained that the Highway Code stated that you ‘should not’ park, not that you ‘must not’. He explained that if double yellow lines were introduced then the Council would be able to enforce restrictions and confirmed that yellow lines provided effective enforcement. He advised that parking that close to a junction created problems and that people had raised concerns regarding visibility for cars and pedestrians. He added that parking was available in the nearby vicinity if residents were unable to park outside of their home.

Councillor Boyes appreciated the objectors’ comments but believed the proposal was simply formalising what was already there. He commented that people could park inappropriately, and that this impacted on visibility for pedestrians including children walking to school.

In relation to the proposal for Birch Road and Park Terrace, Councillor Boyes asked whether there would be a time limit imposed for wedding cars and hearses.

The Strategic Traffic Manager advised that no set time would be imposed for wedding cars and hearses and that the vehicles could remain parked on double yellow lines whilst undertaking their activities. He confirmed details of this would be in the order.  

Councillor Ormerod asked for clarification on whether wedding cars and hearses could remain parked during the service. The Strategic Traffic Manager explained that wedding cars could pick up and drop off passengers, but that they could not remain parked during the service. In relation to hearses, he advised that they would be permitted to park during the service if this was necessary. 

Councillor Howey commented that she knew Barnard Castle well and that from her experience it was a congested area. She advised that the A67 could get blocked with buses and HGV’s and that this created problems for pedestrians crossing the road. She explained that the route from Victoria Road to Morrisons was extremely busy and that it would benefit from the proposal.  She also advised that events held in the town or at Bowes Museum increased the number of visitors to the area which resulted in residents struggling to park. She added that poor parking impacted on visibility and impacted on those in wheelchairs due to dropped curbs being blocked.

Councillor Kay also commented that he knew Barnard Castle well and that the area was highly congested. He stated that he supported any improvements that could be made to Victoria Road but asked where the displaced cars from this road would be able to park.

In response the Strategic Traffic Manager advised that the displaced cars could be parked anywhere that was legal to do so.   

Councillor Wood referred to the picture of Hall Street and asked if the existing double yellow lines were to be repainted. The Strategic Traffic Manager confirmed that these would be freshened up.

In terms of Birch Road and Park Terrace, Councillor Wood gave an example of zigzag markings that he had seen at community centres to protect the space and stop residents from parking. He asked whether these types of markings could be used outside of the church without there being an impact on its activities.

The Strategic Traffic Manager advised that keep clear was an advisory marking enforced by police whereas double yellow lines were enforced by the Council and were therefore more likely to be adhered to.

The recommendation to approve was moved by Councillor Boyes and seconded by Councillor Howey.

Resolved:

That the proposal, in principle, to amend the Barnard Castle Parking and Waiting Restrictions Order 2022 be endorsed.