To consider the results of statutory consultation in respect of resident permit parking proposals in the Grovelands Road Area, Shilling Close area and Cintra Close, and to agree to either implement, amend or reject the proposals.

Further to Minute 47 of the previous meeting, the Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report asking the Sub-Committee to consider the results of statutory consultation in respect of resident permit parking proposals in the Grovelands Road area, Shilling Close area and Cintra Close.  The following appendices were attached to the report:

Grovelands Road Area

The report explained that the most common objections to the Grovelands Road area scheme included the cost of the permits, including the potential for the cost to increase over time, many residents had multiple cars who might not be entitled to permits and the scheme would not guarantee a parking space.  Roads where ‘permit holders only past this point’ restrictions had been proposed had included requests for free visitor parking, and in other roads there were objections to the two-hour free visitor parking not being sufficient to allow regular visitors to visit/carry out their work without incurring a charge.  In addition, some residents had raised concerns about enforcement of permit schemes in the evenings, where parking became more saturated, and other residents did not believe that the permit scheme would prevent commercial vehicles from parking in the area.

Officers confirmed that commercial vehicles were not eligible for resident parking permits under the current rules. 

Cintra Close

Objectors to the proposals for Cintra Close related to concerns about the charges included in the permit scheme and about the impact on property value due to the fact that the scheme would restrict the number of cars per household.  Some comments were also made in respect of certain properties and their inclusion in the permit zone. 

Shilling Close Area

With regard to Shilling Close, some residents of Tilehurst Road had requested that they be included in the scheme as they had no other parking available.  Some of the objections had raised concerns about how the scheme would impact the nearby hospital and others had objected to the cost of the permits.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Lovelock, Norcot Ward Councillor, addressed the Sub-Committee on the proposals for the Grovelands Road area and Shilling Close area.  Councillor Lovelock informed the Sub-Committee about previous informal consultations and work that had been carried out in respect of both areas and told the Sub-Committee that there was insufficient support from residents for the proposals at the current time.

The Sub-Committee agreed that the resident permit parking proposals in the Grovelands Road area and Shilling Close area should not be progressed at this time but that the proposal in respect of Cintra Close should be implemented.

Resolved –

(1)     That the report be noted;

(2)     That having considered the objections in Appendices 2, 4 and 6, attached to the report:

(a)     The proposed restrictions associated with Cintra Close be approved as advertised;

(b)     The proposed restrictions for the Grovelands Road area and Shilling Close area be removed from the resultant Traffic Regulation Order;

(3)     That in respect of Cintra Close, the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to seal the resultant Traffic Regulation Order and no public inquiry be held into the proposal;

(4)     That respondents to the statutory consultation be informed of the decisions of the Sub-Committee accordingly, following publication of the agreed minutes of the meeting;

(5)     That in respect of Contra Close, officers progress the delivery of the resultant restrictions.