Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Transportation and Highways

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Transportation and Highways which indicated that the Domestic Vehicle Footway Crossing Policy sets out the criteria and process for residents to apply for and build a legal vehicle crossing over the pavement to their property.

The Policy was last revised in 2016 to encourage more residents to apply for lawful crossings.  However, despite this, some residents continue to drive over pavements not intended to carry vehicles, resulting in damage to pavements, putting pedestrians at risk through damaged pavements and costing the Council many thousands of pounds each year.

To reduce the number of unauthorised crossings and associated damage to pavements, the following principal policy changes proposed are:

-  Reduce the depth of private frontage required to meet the policy from 4.5m to 4.0m.

-  Make applicants responsible for ensuring a vehicle does not overhang the Highway by applying conditions.

-  Strengthen enforcement of overhanging vehicles.

The revised Policy was appended to the report.

The Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4) had considered the report at their meeting held on 5 November, 2020 and had made the following Recommendations to Cabinet:-

1)  That the new Domestic Vehicle Footway Crossing Policy be promoted through a communications campaign including an article in Citivision

2)  That consideration be given to increasing enforcement activity regarding illegal footway crossings and enforcement of the new Policy

3)  That consideration be given to the impact of the proposed Policy on On-street Parking Controls including residents parking schemes when determining applications for dropped kerbs

RESOLVED that Cabinet :-

1)  Adopt the revised Domestic Vehicle Footway Crossing Policy 2020 as set out in Appendix A to the report.

2)  Approve the Recommendations of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4) as detailed above