HIGHWAYS WORKING GROUP FOR ALLERDALE

Meeting date: 3rd December 2018

From: Executive Director – Economy & Infrastructure

COCKERMOUTH TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER REVIEW 2018/19

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide Members with the background to the proposed changes to parking restrictions in and around Cockermouth.

1.2 The report will enable Members to make a recommendation to Allerdale Local Committee whether to proceed to statutory consultation and advertisement of the proposed restrictions as referred to at paragraph 3.1 of this report.

2.0 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS

2.1 The proposed additions and amendments to restrictions are designed to improve safety and traffic flow in the area assessed, ensuring a safe and effective transport network

2.2 The restrictions which are proposed for introduction comply with Cumbria County Council’s forward plan of creating a safe and secure community, whilst providing a high quality environment for all.

2.3 There are no Equality implications.

3.0 RECOMMENDATION

3.1 That Members recommend that Local Committee agree to proceed to statutory consultation and advertisement of a variation to The County of Cumbria (Various Roads, Cockermouth and Surrounding Area) (Traffic Regulation Order) 2014 (“the Cockermouth Order”), in relation to the proposed restrictions shown on the plans attached as Appendices 1 to 18 inclusive, having taken into consideration the matters contained in Section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act

1984 which are more specifically referred to at paragraph 7.2 of this Report.

3.2 That Members recommend that Local Committee agree that, subject to there being no unresolved objections received at the end of the statutory consultation and advertisement of the changes referred to in paragraph 3.1 above, that the changes be brought into operation, as advertised having taken into consideration the matters contained in Section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which are more specifically referred to at paragraph 7.2 of this Report.

4.0 BACKGROUND

4.1 APM funding was allocated for the 2018/19 financial year to carry out a review of the Traffic Regulation Order for Cockermouth and the surrounding area, as referred to at paragraph 3.1 of this report. Over the course of the summer, Officers carried out assessments of all requests and known issues.

4.2 During October 2018, Cumbria County consulted upon a number of alterations to the Cockermouth Order. During this period, a total of 24 written responses were received. A summary of each proposal and associated responses is included below.

4.3 Proposal No. 1 – Derwent Street, Cockermouth – To introduce an advisory keep clear marking in place of disc parking in front of an existing private access. No responses were received. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 1.

4.4 Proposal No. 2 – Wakefield Road, Cockermouth – To introduce No Waiting at Any Time restrictions opposite the existing Coach Parking Bay. 2 responses were received, one in favour and one against the changes. The grounds for the objection were that the area is required for parking by nearby businesses, while the coach parking is only used sparingly. Officers recommend that we progress with the changes as originally consulted, however monitor the usage of the coach parking thereafter, as shown as Appendix 2.

4.5 Proposal No. 3 – Brewery Lane, Cockermouth – To introduce No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on areas of the tight dead end road which can often become obstructed. 2 responses were received, both in favour, with one requesting that the area being left available for parking be made disc parking with residents exemptions. After consideration, Officers feel that limited waiting may encourage a higher turnaround of vehicles on a very narrow section of highway, where turning provisions are limited. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 3.

4.6 Proposal No. 4 – Low Road Close, Cockermouth – To introduce No Waiting at Any Time restrictions near the junction with Low Road in order to maintain access for large delivery vehicles to the nearby car garage. 2 responses were received, both in favour of the restrictions. One respondent requested a slight extension to the length of the proposed restrictions, which appears

sensible. It is recommend to proceed with modified proposals, as shown as Appendix 4.

4.7 Proposal No. 5 – Market Place, Cockermouth – To alter the existing Loading Bay to allow for loading from 8 am – 12 pm with disc parking from 12 pm – 6 pm. 1 response was received in objection to the change, citing that deliveries are required throughout the day due to the nature of the business. It is therefore recommend to alter the proposal to split the bay into 2 sections, with a small area being retained as Loading Only Mon – Sat, 8 am – 6 pm to cater for small delivery vehicles throughout the day, as shown as Appendix 5.

4.8 Proposal No. 6 – Sullart Street, Cockermouth – To introduce No Waiting at Any Time Restrictions at the south end of Sullart Street to prevent obstruction of the nearby access. No responses were received. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 6.

4.9 Proposal No. 7 – Bridekirk Dovenby School – To introduce School Keep Clear Markings in the vicinity of the access to the school, as well as No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on the nearby junction. 2 responses were received, both in favour however requesting additional No Waiting be placed on the opposite side of the junction. This suggestion seems sensible; therefore it is recommend to proceed with modified proposals, as shown as Appendix 7.

4.10 Proposal No. 8 – Paddle School – To introduce both School Keep Clear restrictions and No Waiting at Any time in the vicinity of the school. No responses were received. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 8.

4.11 Proposal No. 9 – Main Street, Cockermouth – To rearrange the position of loading, disabled and disc parking to more appropriate locations on the street. Also to introduce No Loading at Any Time restrictions at sensitive locations where obstruction occurs. 5 responses were received, largely in favour however suggesting amendments. The new location of the disabled bay was questioned as it is often used by attendees of the Church and Library. A couple of respondents also objected to the proposed No Loading restrictions on Station Street where loading is often carried out without issue by small businesses which would otherwise cause more of a problem elsewhere. Considering the responses, the recommendation is to proceed with modified proposal, repositioning the Disabled Bay as well as removing the proposed loading restrictions at the location described, as shown as Appendix 9.

4.12 Proposal No. 10 – New Street, Derwent Street & Horsman Street, Cockermouth – To introduce 3 short stretches of No Waiting at Any Time in front of existing access points, in addition to a short stretch of Disc Parking where an access was previously removed. No responses were received. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 10.

4.13 Proposal No. 11 – Slatefell Drive, Cockermouth – To introduce a length of School Keep Clear Markings in the vicinity of the school access. No responses were received. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 11.

4.14 Proposal No. 12 – Low Road, Brigham – To introduce a short stretch of No Waiting at Any Time at an often obstructed junction. 2 responses were received, both in support however one requesting additional restrictions on the opposite side of the carriageway. On further investigation, it is felt that any additional double yellow lines could be overly restrictive. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 12.

4.15 Proposal No. 13 – Marvejols Park, Cockermouth – To introduce No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on 2 junctions on Marvejols Park. 1 response was received in favour of the markings. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 13.

4.16 Proposal No. 14 – Moor Road, Brigham – To introduce a short section of No Waiting at Any Time restrictions next to a private access where visibility is limited. One response was received objecting the proposal questioning the need their introduction. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 14.

4.17 Proposal No. 15 – Embleton access roads from the A66 – To introduce a 6’6” width limit on Station Road where HGV’s have been known to get stuck. 1 response was received in support of the scheme, however requested that the same be applied to the nearby road leading to Embleton Spa. On further investigation it is recommended to proceed with a modified proposal to include this addition, shown as Appendix 15.

4.18 Proposal No. 16 – Embleton Spa – To introduce a disabled bay above the Spa as well as No Waiting at Any Time in the surrounding area. 1 response was received in favour of the proposal, however requesting a larger disabled parking bay. No Waiting restrictions already permit blue badge holders to park for a period of up to 3 hours, so long as they are not causing an obstruction. On reflection, it is therefore preferable to only implement waiting restrictions, which blue badge holders requiring access to the Spa can utilise. This would be more fitting with the rural environment instead of parking bays and upright signs. It is therefore recommend to proceed with amended proposal, as shown as Appendix 16.

4.19 Proposal No. 17 – Cockermouth Lonning, Brigham – To introduce No Waiting at Any Time restrictions in the mouth of the junction where obstruction occurs. One response was received in favour of the proposal, however requesting advisory bays also be marked nearby. This is already being dealt with by Officers. It is recommend to proceed as originally consulted upon, as shown as Appendix 17.

4.20 Proposal No. 18 – St Bridget’s School, Brigham – Following correspondence with Brigham Parish Council, an additional proposal to implement School Keep Clear Markings and No Waiting At Any Time restrictions in the vicinity of the school is being put forward, as shown as Appendix 18.

5.0 OPTIONS

5.1 Members may recommend to Allerdale Local Committee to agree the Recommendation at paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 of this Report.

5.2 Members may recommend to Allerdale Local Committee not to agree the Recommendation at paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 of this Report.

5.3 Members may recommend to Allerdale Local Committee that the proposals are modified to an extent that differs to that recommended in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2.

6.0 RESOURCE AND VALUE FOR MONEY IMPLICATIONS

6.1 There are no direct resource and value for money implications that arise from the recommendations of this report.

7.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

7.1 The County Council, as Traffic Authority, must take into consideration the matters contained in section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“the 1984 Act”) detailed below at paragraph 7.2, in considering whether it is expedient to agree to the implementation of the restrictions detailed in this Report for one or more of the reasons specified at section 1 of the 1984 Act.

7.2 Under Section 122(2), the matters which must be taken into account in exercising that duty are: -

(a) The desirability of securing and maintaining reasonable access to premises;

(b) the effect on amenities of an area;

(c) the national air quality strategy prepared under section 80 of the Environment Act 1995;

(d) the importance of facilitating the passage of public service vehicles and of securing the safety and convenience of persons using or desiring to use such vehicles; and

(e) any other matters appearing to the authority to be relevant. (KB – 23.11.2018)

8.0 CONCLUSION

8.1 That the proposed amendments to the Cockermouth Order are progressed to statutory consultation and advertisement, as per the recommendations at paragraph 3.1 and 3.2 of this report.

Executive Director – Economy & Infrastructure

December 2018

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 – Location Plan – Derwent Street, Cockermouth Appendix 2 – Location Plan – Wakefield Road, Cockermouth Appendix 3 – Location Plan – Brewery Lane, Cockermouth

Appendix 4 – Location Plan – Low Road, Cockermouth Appendix 5 – Location Plan – Market Place, Cockermouth Appendix 6 – Location Plan – Sullart Street, Cockermouth Appendix 7 – Location Plan – Bridekirk Dovenby School Appendix 8 – Location Plan – Paddle School Appendix 9 – Location Plan – Main Street, Cockermouth Appendix 10 – Location Plan – Horsman St, New St & Derwent St, C’mouth Appendix 11 – Location Plan – Slatefell Drive, Cockermouth Appendix 12 – Location Plan – Low Road, Brigham Appendix 13 – Location Plan – Marvejols Park, Cockermouth Appendix 14 – Location Plan – Moor Road, Great Broughton Appendix 15 – Location Plan – Embleton, A66 Access Roads Appendix 16 – Location Plan – Embleton Spa Appendix 17 – Location Plan – Cockermouth Lonning, Brigham Appendix 18 – Location Plan – School Brow, Brigham

Electoral Division(s): Cockermouth North, Cockermouth South and Bothel & Wharrels

* Please remove whichever option is not applicable

Executive Decision No*

Key Decision No*

If a Key Decision, is the proposal published in the current Forward Plan? N/A*

Is the decision exempt from call-in on grounds of urgency? No*

If exempt from call-in, has the agreement of the Chair of the relevant N/A* Overview and Scrutiny Committee been sought or obtained?

Has this matter been considered by Overview and Scrutiny? No* If so, give details below.

Has an environmental or sustainability impact assessment been N/A* undertaken?

Has an equality impact assessment been undertaken? N/A*

PREVIOUS RELEVANT COUNCIL OR EXECUTIVE DECISIONS [including Local Committees]

No previous relevant decisions.

CONSIDERATION BY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

Not considered by Overview and Scrutiny.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

No background papers.

REPORT AUTHOR

Contact: Matthew Reeves 01946 506548 [email protected]

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Appendix 5

Appendix 6

Appendix 7

Appendix 8

Appendix 9

Appendix 10

Appendix 11

Appendix 12

Appendix 13

Appendix 14

Appendix 15

Appendix 16

Appendix 17

Appendix 18