Issue - items at meetings - Traffic Order consultation - Resident Parking Schemes

Report of the Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

1.        That, having taken account of all duly made representations and objections, the Committee approves as advertised the following order;

(a)               Brighton & Hove Various Controlled Parking Zones Consolidation Order 2008 Amendment Order No.* 20** (Area J extensions) TRO-6-2013

2.                  That any necessary minor amendments and subsequent requests deemed appropriate by officers are added to the proposed scheme during implementation and advertised as an amendment Traffic Regulation Order.

78.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing that addressed the comments and objections to the draft traffic regulations orders for proposed extensions to the Area J resident parking scheme (London Road Station area).

78.2         Councillor West stated that he believed that introduction of a controlled parking scheme in the London Road Station South area had been the benefit and prevented displacement. Councillor West noted that the overall result of the consultation had been equal and that he was in favour of accepting the recommendations to improve road safety.

78.3         Councillor Kennedy stated that whilst she was sympathetic to the concerns raised by Downs Junior School and the impact the measures would have on teachers, on balance she believed an extension to the controlled parking zone would be of significant benefit to resident safety which was very important.

78.4         Councillor Cox commented that the extension of the controlled parking zone was self-defeating and believed the problem of displacement was being shifted from one area to another as new and extensions to existing zones were introduced. Councillor Cox stated that he was in favour of a light touch scheme on the outskirts of the city and couldn’t support the recommendations as in the report.

78.5         Councillor Norman noted that the result of the consultation was a 50/50 split and queried why this should indicate approval and not disapproval of such a scheme. Councillor Norman re-iterated Councillor Cox’s support for a light touch scheme in the area.

78.6         The Chair referred to paragraph 3.7 of the report which stated that overall 58% of respondents to the consultation supported the proposed extension with 42% against.

78.7         Councillor Mitchell noted that there were 288 responses to the TRO advertised for London Road North with 122 support and 166 against. In the Round Hill area 12 responses to the TRO were received with 1 in favour and 11 against. In addition, the London Road North figures had been imbalanced due to the very high number of respondents in Florence Road and Springfield Road that combined accounted for 71 of the overall total of 111 in support. Councillor Mitchell stated observed that only 3 of the 12 streets were in overall support for the scheme and on the basis, she could not support the recommendations.

78.8         Councillor West stated that the TRO process was quite distinct from the consultation process and the Committee could not assess the TRO responses alone.

78.9         Councillor Robins noted that 274 of the 385 responses in favour at the consultation stage had also come from 3 of 12 roads and had skewed the figures. Councillor Robins stated that he believed that the measures should apply to only the roads affected.

78.10    The Chair then put the recommendations as amended to vote which resulted in a tie.  He then used his casting vote in favour and the recommendations were carried.

78.11    RESOLVED-

1.        That, having taken account of all duly made representations and objections, the Committee approves as advertised the following order;

(a)               Brighton & Hove Various Controlled Parking Zones Consolidation Order 2008 Amendment Order No.* 20** (Area J extensions) TRO-6-2013

2.                  That any necessary minor amendments and subsequent requests deemed appropriate by officers are added to the proposed scheme during implementation and advertised as an amendment Traffic Regulation Order.