Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

NOTE: The objectors and supporters have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) concerning objections that had been received to an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which came into operation on 16th October, 2017 introducing a 24 hour, Monday to Saturday, Residents Parking Scheme for the Burnsall Road, Sir Henry Parkes Road and Canley Road area. A total of 50 objections, 68 responses in support, a petition requesting changes and a petition in support were received by the closing date of 16^th April, 2018. A plan of the experimental residents parking scheme and a summary of all the responses received were set out in two appendices to the report. All the respondents were invited to the meeting and a number attended. Councillor Andrews, an Earlsdon Ward Councillor also attended the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The report indicated that following concerns raised by local residents in the Burnsall Road, Sir Henry Parkes Road, Canley Road area about commuters and employees from nearby factories leaving their cars parked all day, the Council undertook a residents parking scheme consultation in 2016. Consequently a proposed Traffic Regulation Order for a residents parking scheme which would consist of two zones, CA1 and CA2, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week was advertised in June 2017. 12 objecting were received objecting to the proposed times of operation. Following consideration of these objections, the scheme was amended to Monday to Saturday and came into operation on 16^th October 2017 as an Experimental TRO.

The report referred to the responses received. 9 of the responses requested the removal of the scheme. The remainder of the responses either wanted the scheme to remain, an alternative form of restriction or a residents parking scheme with different hours of operation. If the residents parking scheme didn’t remain in operation, then any restriction would also apply to residents and their visitors. The locations of the responses had been mapped to determine whether there was a clear pattern to allow for changes, however the results showed no clear pattern. To amend the scheme would require the Experimental TRO to be varied and a further six month objection period would commence when the variation came into operation. Signs would require amending to show the new restriction in operation.

Other options highlighted in the petition for change were 4 hour limited waiting bays or a controlled zone. The installation of bays would not be a recommended option since the width of the road in some of the locations would not allow for bays on both sides of the road. A controlled zone was also not recommended since any restrictions would also apply to residents.

In light of the spread of support and objection and no clear pattern for amending the scheme, making the existing ETRO permanent would be the most cost effective solution. It also addressed the issues originally raised, ie commuters and employees leaving their cars parked all day in the area.

Mr Alex Robinson, the petition organiser for the petition in support of the scheme, spoke in support of the petition. He referred to the significant difference that the scheme had made to the area, drawing attention to the previous problems caused by the factory employees, railway and airport commuters and students and staff from Warwick University. He felt that the scheme should remain for safety reasons.

Caroline Bains, the petition organiser for the petition requesting changes to the scheme, also spoke at the meeting. She expressed concerns about the initial consultation and requested that the scheme be amended to 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. She highlighted the recent changes at Liberty Pressing Solutions, who had recently created on-site parking for their employees and indicated that evenings and weekends were no longer an issue.

Councillor Andrews reported that he had been involved with the parking issues since 2012 and referred to all the work undertaken by the Ward Councillors and officers in recent years to improve matters. He indicated that on balance he felt that scheme should be supported. He informed that Councillors Sandhu and Taylor, the other Earlsdon Ward Councillors were also in support of making the existing scheme permanent. He read out a statement from Councillor Sandhu detailing her support.

Five other residents reported further on their responses. Two residents in support of the scheme informed how the scheme had improved safety and traffic flows and ensured access for emergency vehicles. The other residents highlighted their concerns which included the impact on family life because of the restrictions being placed on visitors parking in the vicinity, the impact on residents of The Riddings, and the different problems and needs of CA1 and CA2 areas. The suggestion of an 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday trial for the CA2 area was put forward. The Chief Executive of Liberty Pressing Solutions also spoke at the meeting informing of the recent works to provide parking on site for employees while highlighting the parking problems for visitors to the company.      

RESOLVED that, having considered the objections and support to the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order:

(1) Approval be given that the residents’ parking scheme remains in operation in this area.

(2) Having considered the issues raised in 2.11 of the report, approval be given that the existing scheme is made permanent.

(3) Officers be requested to write to all residents in the CA1 and CA2 areas informing them about the option to contact Parking Services if they are intending to hold an event/ family gathering to enable their visitors to be able to park in the vicinity.