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Subject: |
Parking Scheme Update Report |
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Date of Meeting: |
21st September 2021 |
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Report of: |
Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture |
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Contact Officer: |
Name: |
Catherine Dignan |
Tel: |
01273 292235 |
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Email: |
catherine.dignan@brighton-hove.gov.uk |
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Ward(s) affected: |
Withdean, Patcham, Preston Park, Hollingbury and Stanmer, St Peters and North Laine |
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FOR GENERAL RELEASE
1. PURPOSE OF REPORT AND POLICY CONTEXT
1.1 The purpose of this report is to update Committee on the progress of the recent parking consultation in Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches.
1.2 The report also asks Committee for approval on recent Traffic Regulation Orders for the Surrenden area and for agreement that residents of Ditchling Road Nos. 204-276 (evens) shall be restricted to applying for a resident permit for Zone J only.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 That the Committee having taken account of all duly made representations and comments, agree to proceed to the next stage to advertise the Traffic Regulation Order for a scheme in the Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches area (Extension to Zone P – Hove Park)
2.2 That the Committee having taken account of all duly made representations and comments, agree that the following Traffic Regulation Orders are approved to enable the Surrenden area parking zone 10 to proceed to the implementation stage: -
BRIGHTON & HOVE VARIOUS CONTROLLED PARKING ZONES CONSOLIDATION ORDER 2018 AMENDMENT ORDER NO.* 202* (TRO-8A-2021)
BRIGHTON & HOVE OUTER AREAS (WAITING, LOADING AND PARKING) AND CYCLE LANES CONSOLIDATION ORDER 2018 AMENDMENT ORDER NO.* 202* (TRO-8B-2021)
2.3 That the Committee having taken into account of all duly made representations and comments, agree that the following Traffic Regulation Order is approved and the choice of Zones G and J for residents within this area is changed to Zone J only.
BRIGHTON & HOVE VARIOUS CONTROLLED PARKING ZONES CONSOLIDATION ORDER 2018 AMENDMENT ORDER NO.* 202* (TRO-4-2021)
3. CONTEXT/ BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches
3.1 The committee agreed to consult this area at the same time as the Hove Park review on the Parking Scheme Priority Timetable in 2019 to see whether there was support within this area for a resident parking scheme.
3.2 A consultation letter was sent out to households in Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches in December 2020. The results outlined that 95% of respondents were in favour of a Resident’s Parking Scheme in the area based on a 74% response rate. The recommendation was to consult on a light touch parking scheme as 57% of respondents preferred this.
3.3 Following ETS approval on 16th March 2021, it was agreed to contact residents and businesses in Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches with a detailed design of the scheme (as shown on the plan - Appendix A) to find out if there was support for a Light Touch Residents Parking scheme Monday to Friday 9am to 10am and 1pm to 2pm, joining the existing Zone P (Hove Park area)
3.4 Brighton & Hove City Council Land and Property Gazetteer was used to provide 53 property addresses in Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches. A frequently asked question sheet and the detailed design was sent to each address. Respondents were invited to complete the survey and return it using a prepaid envelope. 29 (54.7%) responses were received by mail. The consultation ran from 16 July to 6 August 2021.
3.5 The results outlined that 93% of respondents supported the idea of a resident parking scheme in the area based on a 54.7% response rate (results on Appendix B)
3.6 The Withdean Ward Councillors are happy with the way forward within their ward; however, Hove Park Ward Councillors have outlined their concerns to the extension to the Hove Park area. In advance of the original consultation, officers outlined to the Hove Park ward Councillors that resident parking schemes are not ward based and are more geographic, depending on links to other roads and there were no concerns about displacement as the Hove Park area is very underutilised. Ward Councillors in the Hove Park ward are aware that this area is included in this report.
Surrenden Area
3.7 Following Environment, Transport & Sustainability (ETS) Committee on 27th November 2018, it was agreed to write to all residents and businesses in the Surrenden area in January 2020 to find out if there is general support for a resident parking scheme and if so, what days and hours of operation may be preferred.
3.8 Brighton & Hove City Council Land and Property Gazeteer was used to provide 1704 property addresses in the Surrenden area. A questionnaire, frequently asked questions sheet and a prepaid envelope for reply was sent to each address. Respondents were also invited to complete the survey online via the council’s Consultation Portal should they wish to. 686 (74.6%) responses received were by mail and 233 (25.3%) online and 1 response by email. The consultation ran from 7th January to 15th February 2020.
3.9 The results outlined that 69.2% of respondents support the idea of a resident parking scheme in the area based on a 54% response rate.
3.10 63.6% of respondents wanted a light touch scheme while 36.4% preferred a full scheme. 62.2% of respondents supported a Monday – Friday scheme while 37.8% supported a Monday – Sunday scheme.
3.11 Following ETS approval on 23rd June 2020, it was agreed to contact residents and businesses in the Surrenden area to find out if there was support for a Light Touch Residents Parking scheme Monday to Friday.
3.12 Brighton & Hove City Council Land and Property Gazetteer was used to provide 1660 property addresses in the Surrenden area. A frequently asked question sheet and the detailed design was sent to each address. Respondents were invited to complete the survey online via the council’s Consultation Portal. Residents could also request paper copies should they need it. 420 (97%) responses were received online, 12 (2.8%) by mail and 1 via email. The consultation ran from 17 July to 14 August 2020.
3.13 The results outlined that 74% of respondents supported the idea of a resident parking scheme in the area based on a 26.2% response rate.
3.14 It was agreed at the ETS committee meeting on 24 November 2020 to advertise a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to allow the implementation of the Surrenden Area parking scheme. The TRO was advertised on 19 March 2021 with the closing date for comments and objections on the 16 April 2021. The Ward Councillors for the area were consulted as were the statutory consultees such as the Emergency Services.
3.15 The notice was published in the Argus newspaper on the 19 March 2021.
3.16 Detailed plans and the TRO were available to view online.
3.17 Due to a number of errors the TRO was withdrawn and re-advertised on 18 June 2021 with the closing date for comments and objections on the 9 July 2021.
3.18 We received 55 items of correspondence to the proposals from residents. This included support and objections. From residents who live within the proposed Zone there were 10 items of correspondence in support of the proposals due to the parking problems, while there were 42 objections.
3.19 There were 2 objections from residents living outside of the scheme due to concerns about parking within the area and 1 regarding commuting.
3.20 The comments/objections are listed in Appendix C alongside an outline of the officer comments.
Zone G to J Permit Option for Ditchling Rd (204-276 evens)
3.22 Parking Services has introduced an online permit system designed to be incorporated into the Council ‘My Account’ system. In order for this system to work accurately and satisfy audit and fraud prevention measures each address must be allocated to a specific parking zone. Allowing residents to continue to choose which parking zone they have is not a viable option if the effective and efficient implementation of surcharges on additional permits and financial assistance to those most in need is to be achieved in the coming months.
3.23 The affected section of Ditchling Road falls within Zone J and historically residents had the option of choosing either Zone G or J as many had rear access to Zone G. Currently, there are three residents that have applied for the option of G while there are eleven valid permits for J.
3.24 The choice of choosing a parking zone where two zones meet has been withdrawn throughout the City. The application process is also linked to a map within the website so the Council needs to ensure that roads fall into the same zone rather than be separated by different permits in the same road. It is regrettable that some residents will be disappointed, and it is recognised that many of those affected had campaigned to have the choice of zone G, but it is not practical or an effective use of resources to continue to offer a choice of zone as each time this happened a new TRO would need to be advertised under the new process and it would also undermine the agreed policy at Budget Council on surcharge prices to additional permits per household and discounts to resident permits for low income households.
3.25 The draft Traffic Regulation Order was advertised on 12 March 2021 with a closing date for comments and objections of 2 April 2021. The Ward Councillors for the area were consulted, as were the statutory consultees such as the emergency services.
3.26 The notice was published in The Argus on 12 March 2021. The documents were available to view and to respond to directly on the Council website.
3.27 We received 9 objections to the proposals from residents who live within the area affected by the proposals. There were no expressions of support for the proposed change although it’s important to note that a total of 56 addresses at this location currently have the option of a zone G or zone J resident permit.
3.28 The comments/objections can be seen in Appendix D.
4. ANALYSIS & CONSIDERATION OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
4.1 The main alternative options are doing nothing which would mean that the various parking scheme consultations would not be taken forward or consulting on a different option.
4.2 It is, however, the recommendation of officers to proceed for the reasons that are outlined within the report.
5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION
5.1 As set out in the body of the report.
6. CONCLUSION
Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches
6.1 Due to the consultation and reasons outlined in the report it is recommended that the Traffic Regulation Order is advertised to allow the implementation of Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches parking scheme.
6.2 Officers have met with the Withdean Ward Councillors who are happy to support the recommendations that we proceed to the Traffic Regulation Order stage.
Surrenden Area
Zone G to J Permit Option for Ditchling Rd (204-276 evens)
6.4 Following the Traffic Regulation Order consultation and after responding to the objections it is proposed to proceed with the change.
7. FINANCIAL & OTHER IMPLICATIONS:
Financial Implications:
7.1 The costs associated with the recommendations of this report will be contained within existing Parking Services budgets and/or funded from additional parking income generated.
7.2 Use of surplus income from parking charges and penalty charges is governed by section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Once the direct costs of traffic management have been met, the use of surpluses is legally ringfenced to the provision of public transport services and to road, air quality and environmental improvements.
7.3 Parking charges are subject to the Council’s Corporate Fees and Charges Policy. As a minimum, charges will be reviewed annually as part of the budget and service planning process.
Finance Officer Consulted: John Lack Date: 25/08/21
Legal Implications:
7.4 The Council is under no statutory duty to consult the public prior to advertising proposals to formally make a traffic regulation order. However, should the Council decide to carry out such consultation it must be carried out in a fair way. The consultation must take place when the relevant proposals are still at a formative stage, adequate information must be given to consultees to enable them properly to respond to the consultation exercise and they must be allowed enough time within which to respond to the consultation exercise. The Council, as decision maker, must give conscientious consideration to the consultees’ responses and objections.
7.5 Once proposals have been formulated the Council has a statutory duty, under the Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996, to give public notice of the proposed order and for the relevant documents to be placed on deposit for public inspection. A period of 21 days must be allowed for objections to the proposed order to be submitted. Any objections duly made must be given consideration by the Council in deciding whether the proposed order should be formally made.
Lawyer Consulted: Hilary Woodward Date: 24/8/21
Equalities Implications:
7.6 Consultation took place and the comments and wishes of the respondents were taken into account when considering what changes would best meet the needs of those local population. Engagement with a wide range of residents has been built into the process from the start. The use and analysis of data and engagement has informed the project to ensure it meets the needs of the local population. The proposed measures will be of benefit to many road users.
Sustainability Implications:
7.7 Parking schemes can help to encourage less polluting travel options and reduce emissions. In addition, congestion can affect the reliability of journey times and long-term parking can reduce accessibility and the turnover of spaces. Parking schemes can help to encourage alternative transport choices and higher turnover of spaces. Better accessibility through a high turnover of vehicles being parked helps to support local businesses.
Brexit Implications:
7.8 No Brexit implications identified.
Any Other Significant Implications:
7.9 None
Crime & Disorder Implications:
7.10 None
Risk and Opportunity Management Implications:
7.11 None
Public Health Implications:
7.12 None
Corporate / Citywide Implications:
7.13 None
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Appendices:
A Plan for Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches
B Results for Hazeldene Meads and The Beeches
C Surrenden Area Comments
D Zone G – J Comments
Background Documents:
None