Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transportation and Highways

To consider the above petition bearing 14 signatures, which is being supported by Councillor S Nazir, a Foleshill Ward Councillor who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item, along with the petition organiser.

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Transportation and Highways concerning a petition, bearing 14 signatures, requesting that the build-outs and dangerous trees in Peel Street be removed to create additional on-street parking. The petition was supported by Councillor S Nazir, a Foleshill Ward Councillor, who attended the meeting and spoke in support of the petitioners. The petition organiser was invited but was unable to attend.

The Cabinet Member had considered the petition prior to this meeting and requested that the petition was dealt with by determination letter. On receipt of the determination letter, the petition organiser had advised that she wanted the issue to be considered at a Cabinet Member for City Services meeting. A copy of the determination letter was set out at Appendix B to the report.

The report indicated that Peel Street was a residential road off Stoney Stanton Road. Sections of the kerb on the southern side of the road were built out to create grass verges with trees. A location plan was set out at Appendix A to the report.

The cost of any changes to on-street parking provision was funded from the Highways Maintenance and Investment Capital Programme budget through the Local Transport Plan. The scheduling of works was based on the priority of the scheme and the funds available. Due to limited budgets, the Council was unable to fund the creation of additional on-street parking in Peel Street. The trees in the street were inspected every three years to see if any maintenance was required. The most recent inspection took place in August 2021 and all remedial works were completed by November.

Councillor Nazir reported that the grass verges in Peel Street had been installed in the mid-1980s against the wishes of local residents at the time. She referred to recent developments in the area which included a number of new flats and to other buildings in the vicinity which all contributed to the parking issues. In addition, a significant number of properties had been converted into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Due to the narrow road only one vehicle could go along the street and it was difficult for the refuse vehicles. Similar problems were being experienced by the residents of Cobden Street. Councillor Nazir referred to the fly-tipping that was occurring. She highlighted that the removal of the unwanted verges and trees would allow for a wider road and the option of creating much needed parking spaces.

In response, the officer reported that the verges had been introduced in the street on the grounds of safety. The issue of HMOs and parking was a problem that occurred across the city. It was reiterated that there was no budget for the requested works. Councillor Hetherton reminded of the Council’s intention to keep as many of the city’s trees as possible, not remove them.  

RESOLVED that:

(1) The petitioners’ concerns be noted.

(2) The actions confirmed by the determination letter to the petition organiser (as detailed in paragraph 1.5 of the report) be endorsed.