1. Purpose of the report and policy context

1.1 The purpose of this report is to update Committee on the progress of recent resident parking scheme consultations.

1.2 This report outlines the findings of the recent consultation with residents in the Withdean Road and Hollingdean Areas and requests Committee makes decisions on the associated TRO and parking schemes.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That Committee having taken account of all duly made representations and comments agree that the following Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) are approved to enable the Withdean Road (Zone 12) to proceed to the implementation stage:

Brighton & Hove Various Controlled Parking Zones Consolidation Order 2018 Amendment Order No.* 202* (TRO-16a-2023)

Brighton & Hove Outer Areas (Waiting, Loading and Parking) and Cycle Lanes Consolidation Order 2018 Amendment Order No.* 202* (TRO-16b-2023)

2.2 That the Committee having taken account of all duly made representations and comments, agrees not to proceed with the Hollingdean parking scheme.

3. Context and background information

3.1 The parking scheme consultations were undertaken in accordance with the parking scheme priority timetable programme, which was agreed at this Committee following various petitions and deputations.

4. Analysis and consideration of alternative options

4.1 The main alternative options are doing nothing which would mean that the various parking scheme consultations/reviews would not be taken forward or consulting on a different option.

4.2 It is, however, recommended by officers to proceed with the recommendations for the reasons that are outlined within the report.

5. Community engagement and consultation

Withdean Road Area

5.1 Following ETS approval in October 2019, A letter was sent out to 181 households in the Withdean Road area in June 2022. The results outlined that 88% of respondents were in favour of a Resident’s Parking Scheme in the area based on a 57% response rate (104 respondents). 62.5% of respondents preferred a light touch scheme option. 65% of respondents preferred a Monday to Sunday scheme as opposed to 35% who wanted a Monday to Friday scheme.

5.2 Following ETS approval on 20 September 2022, it was agreed to write to residents and businesses in the Withdean Road area to find out if there was support for a Light Touch Residents Parking scheme Monday to Friday.

5.3 A Brighton & Hove City Council Land and Property Gazetteer was used to provide 181 property addresses in the Withdean Road area. A questionnaire and frequently asked question sheet were sent to each address. Respondents were invited to complete the questionnaire and return it using the pre-paid envelope provided. The consultation ran from 24 October to 27 November 2022. A summary of the results is shown in the table below.

Number of properties mailed	181
Consultation response rate	100 (55%)
Support for a residents parking scheme	89 (89%)
Against a parking scheme	11 (11%)
Preferred 9-10am and 1-2pm	75 (81%)
Requested different hours	18 (19%)

5.4 Following ETS approval on 17 January 2023 it was agreed to advertise a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to allow the implementation of the Withdean Road Area parking scheme. The TRO was advertised on 10 March 2023 with the closing dates for comments and objections on the 31 March 2023. The Ward Councillors for the area were consulted as were the statutory consultees such as the Emergency Services.

5.5 The notice was published in the Argus newspaper on the 10 March 2023. Detailed plans and the draft TRO were available to view online.

5.6 We received 98 items of correspondence to the proposals. This included support and objections. From residents who live within the proposed Zone there were 69 items of correspondence in support of the proposals due the parking problems, while there were 5 objections.

5.7 The comments/objections are listed in Appendix A alongside an outline of the officer comments.

5.8 Officers have attended meetings with Ward Councillors to discuss the results and the way forward.

5.9 Following agreement at Budget Council in February 2023, a proposal is being considered for all existing light-touch parking schemes to be consulted on becoming full touch parking schemes. The way forward is to be discussed at this Committee meeting. The parking consultation process was carried out within the Withdean Road area prior to the decision made at Budget Council.

5.10 After considering the way forward it was felt it was best to progress with this scheme ahead of the light to full scheme programme.

5.11 The scheme if approved will be reviewed after a year to see how it is working for residents, services & businesses and will include consulting residents, businesses and Services adjacent to both the Withdean parking scheme (including beyond the Tongdean Lane junction) and Zone P (Hove Park area) including the roads Woodland Drive, Nevill Avenue, Nevill Road and Goldstone Crescent. This can establish if there are any concerns on potential vehicle displacement.

Hollingdean Area

5.12 Following ETS Committee approval on 8 October 2019, a letter was sent out to households in the Hollingdean Area in April 2022. The consultation was also advertised on the council’s website, via social media and by a press-release to local media. The results outlined that 53% of respondents were in favour of a Resident’s Parking Scheme in the area based on a 29% response rate. However, there was a concentration in a smaller area where 61.5% of residents wanted a scheme which was taken forward. Within this area 52% of respondents wanted a full scheme.

5.13 Following ETS approval on 20 September 2022 it was requested by the Ward Councillors to further consult with residents and businesses not included in the smaller boundary, to find out if there was support for a Full Residents Parking Scheme operating Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm. This was following concerns regarding potential additional parking pressure in the surrounding areas.

5.14 Brighton & Hove City Council Land and Property Gazetteer was used to provide 1279 property address in the Hollingdean area. A postcard was sent to each address. Respondents were invited to complete the survey online via the council’s Consultation Portal, but paper copies were available to anyone should they need it. A total of 5 (3.6%) responses were received by mail and 135 (96.4%) responded online. The consultation ran from 28 October to 20 November 2022. A summary of the results is shown in the table below.

Number of properties mailed	1279
Consultation response rate	140 (11%)
Support for a residents parking scheme	73 (52%)
Against a parking scheme	67 (48%)

5.16 Analysis undertaken of all the responses received from respondents and the full results analysis of the consultation including road-by-road results and area plan is outlined in Appendix B. The results outlined that 52% of respondents were in favour of a Resident’s Parking Scheme in the area based on a very low 11% response rate. Due to the low response rate the recommendation was to take forward the smaller Hollingdean Area.

5.17 Following this as with Committee approval a letter was sent out to households in the Hollingdean Area in April 2023. The results outlined that 40% of respondents were in favour of a Resident’s Parking Scheme in the area based on a 34% response rate.

5.18 Brighton & Hove City Council Land and Property Gazetteer was used to provide 2223 property addresses in the Hollingdean area. Respondents were invited to view the detailed design plans and complete the survey online via the council’s Consultation Portal. Paper copies were available upon request. The consultation ran from 21 April to 4 June 2023. A summary of the results is shown in the table below.

Number of properties mailed	2223
Consultation response rate	758 (34%)
Support for a residents parking scheme	305 (40%)
Against a parking scheme	452 (60%)

5.19 Analysis undertaken of all the responses received from respondents and the full results analysis of the consultation including road-by-road results and area plan is outlined in Appendix C.

5.20 A meeting has taken place with the Hollingdean and Stanmer Ward Councillors and the Transport Committee Chair, who are satisfied with the consultation process that has taken place.

5.21 However, there are concerns regarding an opposing campaign, which included misrepresented data which may have influenced the result. The Hollingdean and Stanmer Ward Councillors would also like the option to revisit the area again following the decision on the light to full scheme timetable, which is due to be discussed at the October Transport & Sustainability Committee. This will be taken into account when the next parking scheme priority timetable is taken forward to this Committee next year.

6. Conclusion

6.1 As set out in the body of the report and the recommendations.

7. 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. 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. 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.

Name of finance officer consulted: David Wilder Date consulted:20/09/2023

8. Legal implications

8.1 The Traffic Management Act 2004 places a duty on local traffic authorities to manage the road network with a view to securing, as far as reasonably practicable, the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of all types of traffic. The Council regulates traffic by means of traffic regulation orders (TROs) made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which can prohibit, restrict or regulate the use of a road, or any part of the width of a road, by vehicular traffic. After the public notice of proposals for a TRO has been advertised, any person can object to the making of the TRO. Where there are unresolved objections to a TRO, then the matter must be returned to the Transport & Sustainability Committee for a decision. The Committee can decide to make the TRO unchanged, to make it with modifications that reduce the restrictions or not to proceed with it.

Name of lawyer consulted: Katie Kam Date consulted: 18/09/23

9. Equalities implications

9.1 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 including an equality monitoring form. 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.

10. Sustainability implications

10.1 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. 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.