Agenda item

9.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of City Futures detailing the consultation response to proposals to introduce a parking scheme near Rother Valley Country Park on Rother Valley Way, Meadow Gate Avenue and Owlthorpe Greenway.

9.2

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

1.     Consider the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Rother Valley Parking scheme.

2.     Having regard to those objections, approve the making of the Traffic Regulation Order as amended and in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

3.     Note that all respondents will then be informed accordingly.

4.     Approve the implementation of the amended Rother Valley Parking scheme, subject to authorisation of the project through the capital gateway process.

5.       Authorise officers to progress the formal revocation of those elements of the ETO which were not implemented.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The scheme will prevent parking in unsuitable places, such as pavements and provide a pedestrian refuge. This will result in a safer more pleasant environment for residents, pedestrians, and cyclists.

9.3.2

Improvements to Rother Valley Way car park will be included to make this more attractive to use and some on street parking opportunities will be available as alternatives for busy times.

9.3.3

The introduction of a formalised on-street parking scheme will improve access to the Rother Valley Country Park. This will encourage use of the country park for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling which will improve health and wellbeing.

9.3.4

The scheme will improve road safety for all pedestrians including those with impaired mobility, cyclists, and drivers to reduce the risk of future collisions.

9.3.5

Having considered the aforementioned benefits alongside the response from the public and other consultees, it is recommended that the TROs be made with the amendments set out in paragraphs 3.13 – 3.15 as, on balance, the benefits of the scheme are deemed to outweigh the concerns raised.

9.3.6

It is therefore recommended that Committee:

•       Consider the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Rother Valley Parking scheme;

•       Having regard to those objections, approve the making of the Traffic Regulation Order, in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

•       Note that all respondents will then be informed accordingly;

•       Approve the implementation of the amended Rother Valley Parking scheme, subject to authorisation of the project through the capital gateway process.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The current proposal would see the introduction of a series of waiting restrictions with suitable gaps for on street parking. These gaps are not proposed to be restricted by time or charge at the present time. An alternative was considered during the development of the scheme to include time restrictions or a charging regime on these gaps to ensure more opportunities for parking by creating a turnover of the spaces. However, this was not considered appropriate at the present time due to the wish to encourage drivers to use the space available, considerations about drivers seeking unrestricted parking instead in the residential streets, enforcement practicalities and to encourage visitors to Rother Valley Park to use the car park and these gaps in the first instance.

9.4.2

As outlined above in paragraphs 3.13 – 3.15 the scheme has been revised in light of comments from statutory consultees and public comments during the initial development from Autumn 2022. Changes made following initial engagement and recent consultation include a reduction in proposed waiting restrictions to provide more gaps at the request of residents, addition of traffic calming on Rother Valley Way, provision of new footways on Rother Valley Way and potential improvements to the condition and visibility of the car park.

9.1.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of City Futures detailing the consultation response to proposals to introduce a parking scheme near Rother Valley Country Park on Rother Valley Way, Meadow Gate Avenue and Owlthorpe Greenway.

9.1.2

The concerns of members regarding parking on footways was noted and officers advised that proactive enforcement would be put in place to maintain safety around junctions and the scheme would be reviewed after its implementation.

9.2

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

1.     Consider the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Rother Valley Parking scheme.

2.     Having regard to those objections, approve the making of the Traffic Regulation Order as amended and in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

3.     Note that all respondents will then be informed accordingly.

4.     Approve the implementation of the amended Rother Valley Parking scheme, subject to authorisation of the project through the capital gateway process.

5.       Authorise officers to progress the formal revocation of those elements of the ETO which were not implemented.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The scheme will prevent parking in unsuitable places, such as pavements and provide a pedestrian refuge. This will result in a safer more pleasant environment for residents, pedestrians, and cyclists.

9.3.2

Improvements to Rother Valley Way car park will be included to make this more attractive to use and some on street parking opportunities will be available as alternatives for busy times.

9.3.3

The introduction of a formalised on-street parking scheme will improve access to the Rother Valley Country Park. This will encourage use of the country park for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling which will improve health and wellbeing.

9.3.4

The scheme will improve road safety for all pedestrians including those with impaired mobility, cyclists, and drivers to reduce the risk of future collisions.

9.3.5

Having considered the aforementioned benefits alongside the response from the public and other consultees, it is recommended that the TROs be made with the amendments set out in paragraphs 3.13 – 3.15 as, on balance, the benefits of the scheme are deemed to outweigh the concerns raised.

9.3.6

It is therefore recommended that Committee:

•       Consider the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Rother Valley Parking scheme;

•       Having regard to those objections, approve the making of the Traffic Regulation Order, in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

•       Note that all respondents will then be informed accordingly;

•       Approve the implementation of the amended Rother Valley Parking scheme, subject to authorisation of the project through the capital gateway process.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The current proposal would see the introduction of a series of waiting restrictions with suitable gaps for on street parking. These gaps are not proposed to be restricted by time or charge at the present time. An alternative was considered during the development of the scheme to include time restrictions or a charging regime on these gaps to ensure more opportunities for parking by creating a turnover of the spaces. However, this was not considered appropriate at the present time due to the wish to encourage drivers to use the space available, considerations about drivers seeking unrestricted parking instead in the residential streets, enforcement practicalities and to encourage visitors to Rother Valley Park to use the car park and these gaps in the first instance.

9.4.2

As outlined above in paragraphs 3.13 – 3.15 the scheme has been revised in light of comments from statutory consultees and public comments during the initial development from Autumn 2022. Changes made following initial engagement and recent consultation include a reduction in proposed waiting restrictions to provide more gaps at the request of residents, addition of traffic calming on Rother Valley Way, provision of new footways on Rother Valley Way and potential improvements to the condition and visibility of the car park.