Agenda item

Councillor John Hensley attended as a Ward Councillor in support of the

petitioners. 

Concerns and suggestions from petitioners included the following:

• The Buntings, Boniface Road, Ickenham was sheltered housing accommodation and the majority of residents were disabled or elderly.
• Access to private parking bays was frequently blocked.
• Some residents had been threatened by people who used the road to park.
• Commuters and people using the local shops were taking up the available spaces.
• There was no problem parking at weekends.
• Would like restricted parking for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening.
• Yellow lines would not help as residents relied on regular visits from carers, children and family.
• The bedrooms were located at the front of the properties and residents were often woken up by noise.
• In the event of an emergency residents access would be blocked due to inconsiderate parking.
• Some of the activity that took place on Boniface Road was associated with the local pub.
• Narrowing the footpath would accommodate more parking.
• A bay reserved for carers.

Councillor Hensley spoke in support of the petitioners’ request and raised the following issues.

• There was no clear view, some residents wanted a parking management scheme and others wanted yellow lines.
• The Ickenham Parking Management Scheme was proposed to extend to part of Boniface Road and Rectory Way.
• 24 hour parking restrictions would be ideal, although not practical.
• A Parking Management Schemes would allow visitors to park.
• Carers can gain exemption with a carers permit.
• Restrictions should be consistent with the rest of Boniface Road.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of petitioners and responded to the points raised.

The Cabinet Member informed petitioners that some solutions would not be appropriate given the activity associated with The Buntings, Boniface Road.  Councillor Burrows advised petitioners that he would change the recommendations laid out in the officers’ report.  Councillor Burrows explained the importance of returning any future consultation document and to not rely on others to do so.  Should the proposed scheme in the other part of Boniface Road be implemented the presence of Civil Enforcement Officers may deter people from parking near The Buntings. 

Officers stated that the private parking bays were not enforced as they did not form part of the public highway.  Officers understood the need for access in The Buntings and the need to provide parking and would take this into account when designing alternative proposals.

Resolved - That the Cabinet Member:

1.      Met and discussed with petitioners their request for parking restrictions in the section of Boniface Road outside The Buntings.

2.      Instructed officers to take into account the activity associated with The Buntings when investigating other solutions in conjunction with Ward Councillors.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

Residents have made a request for changes to be made to the current proposals for ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions in part of Boniface Road outside The Buntings.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED / RISK MANAGEMENT

The Council could decide to proceed with the double yellow lines proposed for this part of Boniface Road.