Agenda Item No. 6(a) East Crawley County Local Committee Ref No. (05/11) Crawley (Three Bridges) – Various Roads. Key Decision: Proposals to introduce residents parking controls Yes and review existing waiting restrictions. 17th May 2011 Part I Director of Operations – Infrastructure and the Electoral Divisional Manager – Transport Divisions: Northgate and Three Bridges Executive Summary A Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) was introduced in Three Bridges in April 2010. Following an informal consultation held in February 2011, proposals have recently been advertised, on a formal basis, with a view to introducing some minor amendments as well as extending the CPZ. Also included within the proposals is Northgate Road, although it forms part of the town centre CPZ, originally introduced in 2002. The formal comments received for all of the proposals are summarised in Appendix B of this report along with officer responses. Officers consider that the proposals are reasonable and have the overall support of those who were consulted. Consequently, the report also seeks approval to implement the proposals later in the summer. Recommendation That the East Crawley County Local Committee considers the responses to the formal consultation and that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make the order as advertised and bring the proposals into operation. 1. Background 1.1 A Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) was introduced in Three Bridges in April 2010 as an extension to the town centre scheme, introduced in December 2002. Prior to this, car parking by residents, commuters, students, town centre workers, shoppers and visitors had become commonplace in many roads, often to the detriment of traffic flow and residential amenity. 1.2 Since that time, the effect of the CPZ has been monitored by County Council officers and a number of comments from councillors, stakeholders and residents have also been received. As a result, a set of proposals to amend the CPZ were subject to an informal consultation in February 2011 and approval was subsequently given to formally advertise modified proposals. The first part of this report informs councillors of the outcome of the formal consultation held in April 2011. It then seeks approval to implement the proposals. 1.3 Pending approval by the East Crawley County Local Committee, it is envisaged that the proposals could be implemented later in the summer. 2. Discussion 2.1 The County Council is aware that despite the introduction of the CPZ, as well as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) in Crawley Borough in April 2010, the limitations of the existing waiting restrictions and inconsiderate parking by non-residents in unrestricted roads such as The Birches has been a major concern for many residents in Three Bridges. Officers have therefore prepared, and consulted the public formally, on proposals for amending and extending the CPZ in this area. 2.2 It is considered that the current parking arrangements in Three Bridges can be reviewed to allow on-street parking for residents, visitors and short stay shoppers to take place where road width permits but to ensure that yellow line restrictions are introduced where necessary to facilitate the free movement of vehicles and to prevent obstructions. 2.3 In Northgate Road, incorporating Dyers Almshouses, demand for parking from residents and visitors has increased over the years and is now at risk of outweighing the available parking space in the road. Northgate Road is a stand alone zone and so there is very little alternative if all parking spaces are taken at a particular time. Unsurprisingly, residents have expressed concern over their ability to park, despite having paid for an annual parking permit. There is also concern that residents in Dyers Almshouses may not be able to have visitors on a regular basis. Officers are therefore keen to increase the parking that is available in the road. 2.4 It is envisaged, that if supported/approved, all of the above proposals could be implemented in the summer of 2011. 3. Proposals 3.1 The proposals, including those for the Three Bridges CPZ and Northgate Road are illustrated in Appendix A. Consultation 4.1 The proposals have been prepared in response to issues raised by various sources, including County and Borough Councillors, local residents and traders/businesses. Officers have also formed a productive dialogue with the newly formed Three Bridges Community Forum. 4.2 In April 2011, a formal consultation commenced with members of the East Crawley County Local Committee, Crawley Borough Council, Three Bridges Community Forum, Crawley Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Town Centre Manager, CADIA, Central Sussex College, Network Rail, Southern Railway, BAA, Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association, Sussex Police, Fire/Ambulance Service, Metrobus Ltd, NHS Primary Care Support, 4Sight, West Sussex Association for the Disabled and Sustrans. This consisted initially of an e-mail outlining all of the proposals. Full details of the proposals were placed on deposit at Crawley Library and at the Borough Council Offices and were also provided on the County Council’s website. Site notices were also erected in each of the roads affected and a notice was placed in the local press. The formal consultation ran until May 10th 2011. 4.3 A total of 10 formal responses were received, details of which can be viewed in Appendix B. In total, 3 respondents were in support of the proposals, 5 in objection and 2 were neutral, merely seeking clarification on a number of points. It is the view of officers that the proposals are reasonable and should be implemented. Any effects of the changes would be monitored and further amendments considered in due course. Resources Implications and Value for Money 5.1 The total scheme budget is estimated at £30,000 over the financial year 20011/12. This comes from the County Council’s On-Street Parking Account. 5.2 The proposals contribute significantly to the ‘Integrated Parking Strategy’, in which the County Council has sought to establish a mechanism for ensuring that the supply, regulation, enforcement and cost of all types of parking is managed and controlled in ways which are consistent with other transport policies. Policies to manage the demand for car use through the control of on-street parking have been integrated with and are supportive of measures to tackle congestion and pollution, improve alternative modes of transport, particularly public transport, and improve road safety and residential amenity. 5.3 Given the number of households currently affected by the proposals (approximately 300), it is estimated that £12,000 pa could be generated by the sale of residents permits. This figure does not include revenue generated by the sale of second or visitor permits or account for those not purchasing permits. From this income approximately £2,000 will go toward administration with the remaining £10,000 contributing towards year 1 set up costs. 5.4 It is expected that the costs of enforcement would be self-financing, with PCN income balancing out the costs of providing the enforcement service. 6. Risk Management Implications 6.1 Risk of unacceptability to residents and businesses has been managed through an informal consultation in February 2011 and by a further formal consultation in April/May 2011. There is a risk that the proposals may not meet the objectives but officers will monitor the scheme (if implemented) and consider further amendments in due course. 7. Customer Focus Appraisal A Customer Focus Appraisal has been undertaken and is attached as an Appendix to this report (Appendix C). 8. Crime and Disorder Act Implications The County Council has sought the views of the Police in relation to crime and disorder implications and none have been identified. The County Council is also of the view that there are no foreseeable implications to this effect. 9. Human Rights Act Implications It is considered that these proposed improvements to the safety of all road users and surrounding residential community will mitigate any likely Human Rights Act Implications. Tony Toynton Andy Ekinsmyth Director of Operations – Service Manager – Transport Infrastructure Appendices A – Plans of the proposals B - Summary of responses to formal consultation C – Customer Focus Appraisal Background Papers West Sussex County Council Integrated Parking Strategy (June 2004) The Local Transport Plan for West Sussex (2006) Contact: Miles Davy - Principal Transport Planner, Parking Strategy Team Ext. 77286 .