Issue - items at meetings - Resident parking schemes Workshop / consultation report - Hanover & Elm Grove Area

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

(1)         That the Cabinet Member agrees for the Hanover & Elm Grove Resident Parking Review to be progressed to the informal consultation stage consisting of a questionnaire and outline parking scheme map sent to all residents and businesses in the affected areas not currently subject to a controlled parking zone.

(2)         That a letter and questionnaire be sent to all residents and businesses in the existing Area U (St Luke’s) and Area C (Queens Park) schemes asking for their views on the current operation of those schemes including the times and days of operation.

108.1          The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Environment concerning the outcome of the community consultation regarding the review of residents parking in the currently unrestricted Hanover & Elm Grove area, and the associated reviews of the existing Area U (St Luke’s) and Area C (Queen’s Park) controlled parking schemes.

108.2          The Cabinet Member reported that the community consultation had been requested by members of the public and ward councillors at a number of previous meetings.

108.3          Councillor Randall, councillor for Hanover & Elm Grove ward, welcomed the report and, along with his fellow Ward Members, agreed that the Council should proceed to the next stage of the parking consultation. He also advised that achieving the best outcome would be difficult as the area was large with varied parking issues. He explained that residents in the Hanover area were largely in favour of a CPZ to tackle problems there, while Elm Grove residents were strongly opposed to the introduction of a scheme. He advised that a mixture of schemes might be required and that consideration should be given to a light touch scheme in the Elm Grove area. He also highlighted the ongoing problem of people parking on pavements.

108.4          The Cabinet Member explained that he wanted to be certain that ward councillors were in favour of the next stage of consultation before proceeding as he had received a large number of emails from residents against introducing a CPZ.

108.5          Councillor Mitchell advised that the Craven Vale area in her ward would form part of the area for consultation and queried which sub-area it fell into to. She explained that the housing situation was very different in Craven Vale to the rest of the proposed area and that issues of affordability should be considered. She reported that there did not appear to be much opposition to a CPZ from residents; they were aware of the consultation, but had requested more detailed information on proposals. She added that residents welcomed the attendance of officers at public meetings.

108.6          The Parking Strategy Manager advised that Craven was in Area E. He explained that the consultation would involve a wide area; areas where residents were not in favour of a CPZ would not be included in the scheme, but displacement issues would be considered as part of the process.

108.7          RESOLVED – That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendation:

(1)         That the Hanover & Elm Grove Resident Parking Review be progressed to the informal consultation stage consisting of a questionnaire and outline parking scheme map sent to all residents and businesses in the affected areas not currently subject to a controlled parking zone.

(2)         That a letter and questionnaire be sent to all residents and businesses in the existing Area U (St Luke’s) and Area C (Queens Park) schemes asking for their views on the current operation of those schemes including the times and days of operation.