Agenda item

Councillors Michael Markham and Douglas Mills attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• Residents stated that they had been petitioning the Council for many years to make Linden Close a ‘Resident Only’ parking area.
• It was suggested that Linden Close should be treated as a special case, as the entrance to the Close adjoined a fee paying Council car park, which was underused.
• Petitioners advised that their drives were regularly blocked with parked cars, and where drives were unblocked, with closely parked cars, it was a struggle to get in or out.
• It was stated that large as well as commercial vehicles used the close for overnight parking as well as during the weekends.
• Petitioners stated that larger vehicles with inadequate parking spaces made it even more difficult for residents, as the vehicles encroached onto vehicle crossovers.
• It was suggested that every day was chaotic with cars parked by commuters, shoppers as well as visitors to the newly opened library.
• Concerns were raised about drivers in parked vans who treated the close as a tip.
• Residents stated that they had experienced intimidating behaviour from large vehicle drivers.
• Petitioners advised that vehicles were also regularly parked at the turnaround area at the end of the Close, which created difficulties for access by refuse trucks, as the drivers were forced to reverse into the Close.  This created problems with visibility by the Refuse drivers of residents pulling out of their drives.
• Residents suggested that all these parking issues could be resolved by introducing ‘Residents’ only’ parking in Linden Close.

• The Cabinet Member was urged to accept officer’s recommendation for a parking-stress survey to be carried out in Linden Close.
• It was suggested that Linden Close was a small close with just 16 houses, and to highlight the strength of feeling, all residents bar one had been present at the meeting.
• It was reiterated that the issue of a parking scheme in Linden Close had been going on for the past four years.
• It was suggested that Linden Close should be treated as a special case, as a parking management scheme would not have a knock on effect on other streets because of the geography of the close.

Officers advised that when a parking stress survey was conducted, it would usually be undertaken at various times over a 24 hour period. Details of all vehicles parked in the road would be noted to try and ascertain those that belonged to residents.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He stated that the points raised had been noted and agreed officer’s recommendations subject to the revision of recommendation 2 for the determination of any possible action that may be feasible to be reported back to the Cabinet Member and Ward Councillors.

Officers advised that once the stress survey had been completed, the outcome would be discussed with residents to establish the feasibility of residents’ request. 

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member:

1. Met and discussed with petitioners, their concerns with parking in Linden Close.

2. Asked officers to carry out a parking-stress survey in Linden Close and report back to the Cabinet Member and Ward Councillors to determine any possible actions that may be feasible.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

The request from residents of Linden Close is acknowledged and a survey will establish the level of non-residential parking.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

These will be discussed with petitioners.