Meeting documents

To consider a report by the Service Director – Environment, Infrastructure and Economy.

The Committee considered a report by the Service Director for Environment, Infrastructure and Economy on a proposed resident’s parking scheme for Stourbank Road, Christchurch to provide for limited parking for 1 hour, with no return within 1 hour, Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm, except for resident permit holders.

This proposal was designed to address concerns from residents about parking, congestion and access issues in the road which had led to a petition being sent to Christchurch Borough Council in that regard. Subsequently the Borough Council was supportive of the concerns raised, particularly that vehicles were unable to turn once within Stourbank Road owing to parked vehicles. The proposed restrictions would improve access for larger vehicles, including refuse vehicles and emergency vehicles.

Given that the County Council’s policy was that petitions for residents’ parking schemes should be supported by at least 60% of residents in the affected street and endorsed by the relevant district/borough council, it was confirmed that this was the case – with 71% support - in the necessary criteria being met and well exceeded the threshold necessary to be progressed. Following the advertisement of the proposals, objections had been received and, as a consequence, the Committee was now being asked to consider whether Cabinet should be asked that the proposals should be implemented as advertised.

With the aid of a visual presentation, officers explained the reasoning behind the need for the proposed scheme, what these entailed and the basis of the objections received. As an integral part of the proposal, parking bays and access protection markings would also be implemented, which would ease the flow of traffic and allow turning of vehicles.

Photographs and plans were shown to the Committee by way of illustration. This

showed where the proposals would be situated, the characteristics and configuration of the road and its setting within the town. It also showed the relationship between the road and residential properties; where off street parking was available

and the effect congestion was having on access arrangements and where Twynham School was situated and how the need for access to it played a significant part in what was being proposed.

Primary consultation had been carried out on the proposals and was supported by the local County Councillor for Christchurch Central, Christchurch Borough Council and the Dorset Police. Objections received were against the principle of resident’s parking; that this problem was attributable to the school and was for them to find a solution; that these measures would only serve to push the problem onto other streets; that evening parking was more of an issue than during the daytime; and that, even in the event of being part of the scheme, there was still no guarantee that a parking space would be available when required. However officers considered that the proposals were, on balance, the best achievable to meet competing needs and addressed the issues currently being experienced. It was confirmed that parking enforcement would be monitored by Civil Enforcement Officers.

Having considered the representations and outstanding objections, officers considered that the proposal would improve safety for pedestrians and road users by improving visibility on a fairly narrow stretch of road and also improve access for emergency vehicles.

Whilst unable to attend the meeting the Committee heard from the County Councillor for Christchurch Central in reaffirming his support for the measures.

The Committee were then provided with the opportunity to ask questions of the

officer’s presentation and about what they had heard and officers provided

clarification in respect of the points raised as necessary.

Having had the opportunity to consider the merits of the proposals in detail and

having had their questions answered satisfactorily, the Committee - having taken into

consideration the officer’s report and what they had heard at the meeting

- were satisfied in their understanding of what the proposals entailed and that the residents’ parking scheme would be beneficial to addressing the parking issues and improving access and road safety and given this agreed that Cabinet should be asked to endorse the proposals as advertised and on being put to the vote, it was

Recommended

That having considered all the responses received, Cabinet be asked to endorse the recommendation that the proposals for limited waiting for 1 hour, Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm, no return within 1 hour, in Stourbank Road, Christchurch - except for resident permit holders - be progressed as advertised.

Reason for Recommendation

Prior to advertising the proposal, 71% of residents in Stourbank Road supported the petition and was supported by Christchurch Borough Council. Dorset County Council policy states at least 60% was required. Therefore, the necessary criteria for the implementation of resident’s parking schemes had been met and the percentage threshold well exceeded. Stourbank Road led to Twynham School entrance, used by vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. The school had a sixth form and, as a result, both pupils and teachers were using local roads to park throughout the day time, often inappropriately.