Agenda item

10.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of City Futures  considering the results of extra parking surveys and the outcome of the

additional engagement with businesses in Neepsend since the first phase was approved in July 2023. It included a recommendation on how to progress with a parking scheme in Neepsend by making a TRO to implement the remainder of the original proposal, albeit with modifications

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:-

•       Having considered the objections included in Appendix A, decide to make the Traffic Regulation Order (as amended) in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

•       Approve a more flexible approach to the number of permits issued to business during the implementation of the proposed pay and display/permit parking scheme in Neepsend, operating Monday to Friday (0900-1500) in bays on Boyland Street, Bardwell Road and Neepsend Lane (between Rutland Road and Bardwell Road) and operating Monday to Sunday (0900- 1500) in bays in all other areas of Neepsend.

•       Note that the Council’s Traffic Regulations team will inform all consultation respondents accordingly;

•       Note that a review of the scheme will be carried out after around 12 months of the approved scheme being active;

•       Note the need to monitor the effects of the scheme and the potential for advertising a further Traffic Regulation Order should the effect of displaced parking lead to one needing to being promoted;

•       Note that the recommendations being implemented are subject to funding being confirmed.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The proposed Neepsend parking scheme should:

•       Improve conditions for local businesses by ensuring the availability of convenient parking spaces for residents, business and visitors and giving them a greater level of priority where appropriate through issuing permits;

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Consideration was given to limited waiting, without charging (e.g. 4

hours, no return within 2 hours), with permits considered where

appropriate. However, this was discounted for the following reasons:

•       Enforcement of the restrictions are more resource intensive and

time consuming;

•       Puts pressure on existing enforcement resources as limited

extra income through enforcement may not cover additional

costs;

•       Lack of consistency of approach with other areas of the City;

•       Residents and businesses could feel that they are being

charged to park in the area where visitors (and potentially

commuters) may not; and

•       There is anecdotal evidence from schemes around the City that

suggest that people may move their vehicles part way through

the day to avoid the 4-hour restrictions.

10.4.2

Consideration was given to implementation of the whole scheme as

initially advertised. However, this was discounted as it doesn’t take

account of the additional business engagement and revised parking

surveys Neepsend.

10.4.3

Consideration was given to cheaper all day parking tariffs. However,

this was discounted for the following reasons:

•       Demand must properly be managed through the setting of

appropriate tariffs. Otherwise, parking capacity for local

businesses, residents and visitors could at times be inadequate

•       Cheaper tariffs could also increase the occurrence of traffic

circulating searching for car parking spaces, leading to

increased traffic movements.

•       Lack of integration with local and regional strategies.

10.1.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of City Futures  considering the results of extra parking surveys and the outcome of the

additional engagement with businesses in Neepsend since the first phase was approved in July 2023. It included a recommendation on how to progress with a parking scheme in Neepsend by making a TRO to implement the remainder of the original proposal, albeit with modifications.

10.1.2

Councillor Mersereau declared a non-pecuniary interest in the item as the ward councillor for this area.

10.1.3

Discussion took place around the Council’s aspirations to reduce the number of permits required by businesses and the ways that this could be achieved including cycle storage, an e-bike scheme and travel plan offers.

10.1.4

Members asked whether new civil enforcement officers would be recruited to enforce the restrictions on junctions and officers confirmed that safety at junctions was one of the key considerations of the scheme and would be enforced.

10.1.5

The committee discussed whether existing permit schemes incurred a cost to the Council and officers clarified that it was not expected that any costs would be incurred and the situation would be monitored. Any income generated would have restrictions on how it could be spent.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:-

•       Having considered the objections included in Appendix A, decide to make the Traffic Regulation Order (as amended) in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

•       Approve a more flexible approach to the number of permits issued to business during the implementation of the proposed pay and display/permit parking scheme in Neepsend, operating Monday to Friday (0900-1500) in bays on Boyland Street, Bardwell Road and Neepsend Lane (between Rutland Road and Bardwell Road) and operating Monday to Sunday (0900- 1500) in bays in all other areas of Neepsend.

•       Note that the Council’s Traffic Regulations team will inform all consultation respondents accordingly;

•       Note that a review of the scheme will be carried out after around 12 months of the approved scheme being active;

•       Note the need to monitor the effects of the scheme and the potential for advertising a further Traffic Regulation Order should the effect of displaced parking lead to one needing to being promoted;

•       Note that the recommendations being implemented are subject to funding being confirmed.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The proposed Neepsend parking scheme should:

•       Improve conditions for local businesses by ensuring the availability of convenient parking spaces for residents, business and visitors and giving them a greater level of priority where appropriate through issuing permits;

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Consideration was given to limited waiting, without charging (e.g. 4

hours, no return within 2 hours), with permits considered where

appropriate. However, this was discounted for the following reasons:

•       Enforcement of the restrictions are more resource intensive and

time consuming;

•       Puts pressure on existing enforcement resources as limited

extra income through enforcement may not cover additional

costs;

•       Lack of consistency of approach with other areas of the City;

•       Residents and businesses could feel that they are being

charged to park in the area where visitors (and potentially

commuters) may not; and

•       There is anecdotal evidence from schemes around the City that

suggest that people may move their vehicles part way through

the day to avoid the 4-hour restrictions.

10.4.2

Consideration was given to implementation of the whole scheme as

initially advertised. However, this was discounted as it doesn’t take

account of the additional business engagement and revised parking

surveys Neepsend.

10.4.3

Consideration was given to cheaper all day parking tariffs. However,

this was discounted for the following reasons:

•       Demand must properly be managed through the setting of

appropriate tariffs. Otherwise, parking capacity for local

businesses, residents and visitors could at times be inadequate

•       Cheaper tariffs could also increase the occurrence of traffic

circulating searching for car parking spaces, leading to

increased traffic movements.

•       Lack of integration with local and regional strategies.