2014 - 2020 Town Centre Parking Strategy 0 1 TOWN CENTRE PARKING STRATEGY Table of Contents 1. Introduction ..................................................................................... 4 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................... 4 1.2 North Ayrshire .................................................................................................... 5 2. Key Drivers ...................................................................................... 7 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 7 2.2 National Considerations ................................................................................... 7 2.2.1 Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 ............................................................. 7 2.2.2 Road Traffic Act 1991 ........................................................................................ 7 2.2.3 Enforcement of On-street Controls .............................................................. 7 2.2.4 Environment Act 1995 ....................................................................................... 8 2.2.5 Equalities Act 2010 ............................................................................................. 8 2.2.6 Scottish Planning Policy ..................................................................................... 8 2.2.7 National, Regional and Local Transport Strategies ..................................... 8 2.3 Local Considerations ......................................................................................... 8 2.3.1 Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) ................................................................ 8 2.3.2 Council Plans, Strategies and Actions ............................................................ 8 3. Public Consultation and Parking Studies .................................. 10 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 10 3.2 Consultation ....................................................................................................... 10 3.3 Capacity and Utilisation Studies .................................................................... 11 4. Actions for Delivery ..................................................................... 13 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 13 4.2 Maintain Free Parking ....................................................................................... 13 4.3 Enforcement of On-street Controls ............................................................ 13 4.4 Promote Sustainable Travel Modes .............................................................. 13 4.5 Review Facilities to Ensure Equality of Access and Use. .......................... 14 4.6 Improve Signage ................................................................................................ 14 4.7 Ensure Car-parks are Well Maintained ........................................................ 15 4.8 Improve Visitor Information........................................................................... 15 4.9 Increase Use of Pedestrian Routes between Car-Parks and Key Destinations. ...................................................................................................... 15 4.10 Improve Safety and Security ........................................................................... 16 4.11 Manage Availability of Parking ........................................................................ 16 4.12 Parking within Residential Town Centre Streets ...................................... 17 4.13 Monitoring of Actions ...................................................................................... 17 Appendix A – Information for each Town .............................................. 18 Appendix B – Summary of Survey and Consultation Events ............... 41 Appendix C – Example of Consultation Questionnaire ....................... 43 NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL Page 2 of 43 1 TOWN CENTRE PARKING STRATEGY NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL Page 3 of 43 1 TOWN CENTRE PARKING STRATEGY 1. Introduction 1.1 Background Effective management of parking and the development of alternative travel modes are central aspects within the development of economic and environmentally sustainable town centres. The Council has developed this strategy to ensure a consistent and coherent approach to parking that:- Enhances and supports local economies; Improves traffic flows and reduces congestion; Manages parking spaces to ensure adequate availability and the prioritisation of prime spaces; Reduces carbon emissions and improves air quality; and Promotes alternative modes of travel. The strategy runs from 2014 to 2020 and will be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure the key aims and objectives are achieved. It compiles detailed research and information in three key areas:- Key Drivers – A review of the issues that will influence the future direction of parking management; Consultation and Local Studies – The views of residents and businesses on the Councils current approach to parking, key issues to be addressed and an analysis of the utilisation of car-parks in our town centres; Actions for Delivery – Recommended actions for implementation. The strategy considers parking within the town centres listed below. It does not consider parking within residential areas. Ardrossan Beith Brodick Dalry Irvine Kilbirnie Kilwinning Largs Saltcoats Stevenston West Kilbride NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL Page 4 of 43 1 TOWN CENTRE PARKING STRATEGY 1.2 North Ayrshire North Ayrshire is situated around 25 miles south-west of Glasgow and has a population of 138,146. Its total area is approximately 340 square miles, almost equally divided between the mainland and the islands of Arran and Cumbrae. The administrative centre is Irvine, the largest town in North Ayrshire. Over three-quarters of the population live in urban areas or accessible small towns, with the remaining population living in rural areas – 4.8% of the total population living in remote or very remote rural areas. The A78 runs through North Ayrshire from Skelmorlie in the north to Irvine in the South. The A736 and A737 provide links between North Ayrshire and Glasgow, although improvements are required to improve access to the conurbation. Access to the national motorway network is via the A71 at Irvine to the M74, or via the A77 to the M77. Regular rail links are provided from Largs and Irvine to Glasgow via Kilwinning. Most towns have railway stations on these lines. North Ayrshire also benefits from several quality bus corridors; Ardrossan to Kilmarnock, North Coast and the Garnock Valley. These routes provide access to high quality bus services for most of our towns. Ardrossan and Largs provide ferry services to Arran (Brodick) and Cumbrae respectively. Hunterston provides deep-water seaport facilities. In 2012 the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation identified a significant number of areas in North Ayrshire as being deprived. Irvine, Kilwinning, the Three Towns and Garnock Valley were among the areas identified. In 2012, 34 per cent of households in North Ayrshire did not have a car available for personal use. This compared with a national figure of 31 percent. Traffic volumes on roads in North Ayrshire reached a peak in 2008 with traffic levels 17.5% higher than they were in 2001. In the last couple of years levels have fallen back and are currently 3.2% lower than the 2008 levels. The 2011 Census found that nationally 69.3% of people travelled to work by car (or van), 62.8% as the driver and 6.5% as a passenger. 11.2% used the bus, 11.1% walked, 4.2% travelled by train and 4.2% by other means. NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL Page 5 of 43 1 TOWN CENTRE PARKING STRATEGY In North Ayrshire at the same time, 73.8% of people travelled to work by car (or van), 66.5% as the driver and 7.3% as a passenger, 8.9% used the bus, 8.4% walked, 6.2% travelled by train and 2.7% by other means. NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL Page 6 of 43 2 TOWN CENTRE PARKING STRATEGY 2. Key Drivers 2.1 Introduction Current and future parking management is influenced by decisions taken at a number of levels. The UK is a signatory to international climate change strategies. These have been reflected in the Scottish Government’s aim of making Scotland a leader in the field of environmental sustainability. This chapter outlines some of the main issues that will influence sustainable travel and car parking management and have been considered during the development of this strategy. 2.2 National Considerations 2.2.1 Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 The Act creates the statutory framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions setting an interim 42% reduction target by 2020 and an 80% reduction target by 2050. Personal Transport is a one of four main themes and includes a key indicator measuring the percentage of journeys people make to work via public transport or active travel. 2.2.2 Road Traffic Act 1991 The Act allows for the transfer of enforcement responsibilities for on-street parking controls from the Police to Councils via the Decriminalising of Parking Enforcement. In order to take up these powers Councils must submit a business case for approval by Government that demonstrates how the powers will be adequately discharged and be financed. 2.2.3 Enforcement of On-street Controls Responsibility