Agenda item

Resident Permit Parking - Results of Statutory Consultation and Update on Requests for New Schemes

A report providing consultation feedback that has been received on resident permit parking (RPP) proposals for Granville Road and the Katesgrove area.  The report also provides an update on requests that the Council has received for the introduction of new RPP schemes, including the progress of developing schemes.  The report also seeks the Sub-Committee’s approval to implement, amend or reject the proposals.

Minutes:

Further to Minute 5 of the previous meeting, the Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report asking the Sub-Committee to consider the feedback from the consultations on resident permit parking (RPP) proposals for Granville Road and the Katesgrove area and to conclude the outcome of these proposed schemes.  The report also provided an update on requests that had been received for the introduction of new RPP schemes, including the progress of developing schemes.  A copy of the consultation feedback for the Granville Road RPP proposal and the advertised scheme drawing was attached to the report at Appendix 1, the consultation feedback for the Katesgrove area RPP proposal and advertised scheme drawing was attached at Appendix 2 and the updated list of request for RPP new scheme was attached to the report at Appendix 3.

The report stated that the Granville Road statutory consultation had taken place between 1 and 21 July 2021.  41 responses were received, 34 were objections and six were comments in support.  Supporters of the proposals had raised concerns about emergency vehicle access in the area, due to the high volume of vehicles parked on Granville Road and the objectors had raised a number of concerns, such as financial pressures that would be caused by the cost of permits and possible displacement parking on nearby streets.  Some felt that there was no issue with the parking in the area and others believed the Council should create additional parking spaces as there were not enough spaces for the high volume of properties in the area.

The Katesgrove area statutory consultation had been carried out between 15 July and 4 August 2021.  117 responses had been received, 99 were objections, there had been 17 comments in support and one general comment.  Feedback had been received from the whole area, but, Bourne Avenue, Collis Street/Mount Street, Elgar Road South and Shenstone Road appeared to have generated a high number of objections.  There were also a number of comments that did not make reference to specific roads and others that referred to the area scheme as a whole.  There had also been a number of comments from different residents in Basingstoke Road.  Many residents had objected to the charges that accompanied a permit scheme and the restriction on the number of vehicles, as well as the fact that a number of flats would only be able to apply for discretionary permits which were not guaranteed.  Many residents did not believe that a permit scheme would improve the parking in the area and there was also concern that the restrictions wold reduce the number of on-street parking spaces or push the problem elsewhere.  There had also been a number of comments asking when residents would be consulted and other comments suggested that commercial vehicles, non-residents and properties with multiple flats (and no parking spaces) caused parking issues in these areas but there were also comments from commercial vehicle owners and residents in the flats who felt that they should be allowed permits as it would be detrimental to them not to be able park on-street.

Councillor Ennis, Southcote Ward Councillor, addressed the Sub-Committee on proposed scheme for Granville Road, he stated that the outcome of the consultation and views of the residents should be accepted and suggested that investigations took place for measures at end of Granville Road to stop businesses using it and that officers look at other measures that could help residents.

Councillor Page, on behalf of Katesgrove Ward Councillors, also addressed the Sub-Committee on the result of the Katesgrove area consultation and stated that it was felt that there was not sufficient support to take the proposals forward and that further discussions should take place about alternative options.

Resolved –

(1)     That the report be noted;

(2)     That having considered the objections set out in Appendix 1 and 2, attached to the report, the proposed schemes for both Granville Road and the Katesgrove area be rejected;

(3)     That investigations be carried out by officers on alternative options for Granville Road and the Katesgrove area and a report on the outcomes submitted to a future meeting.

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

(5)     That the requests set out in Appendix 3, attached to the report, be retained for future development.

Supporting documents: