Agenda Item No. 6 East Crawley County Local Committee Ref No. (10/11) Key Decision: Crawley (Three Bridges) – Various Roads. Yes Proposals to introduce residents parking controls and review existing waiting restrictions. Part I 16 February 2011 Electoral Director of Operations – Infrastructure and the Divisions: Divisional Manager – Transport Northgate and Three Bridges Executive Summary A Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) was introduced in Three Bridges in April 2010. After a period of monitoring and in response to concerns expressed by local members, stakeholders and residents in the area, proposals have recently been advertised, on an informal 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 informal comments received for all of the proposals are summarised in Appendices B, C and D of this report along with officer responses. Officers consider that the proposals are reasonable and have the initial support of those who were consulted. Consequently, the report also seeks approval to formally advertise detailed proposals later in the Spring. Recommendation That the East Crawley County Local Committee considers the responses to the informal consultation and that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to formally advertise proposals set out in the plans dated 02/11/10 in Appendix A and, subject to their being no objections, that they be brought 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 has recently been the subject of an informal consultation. The first part of this report informs councillors of the outcome of the informal consultation. It then seeks approval to proceed with a formal advertisement of the traffic regulation orders and, if no objections are received, to implement the proposals. 1.3 Pending approval by the East Crawley County Local Committee, it is envisaged that a formal advertisement of proposals, incorporating any amendments suggested during the informal consultation, could take place in the Spring of 2011. 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 have been a major concern for many residents in Three Bridges. Officers have therefore prepared, and consulted the public, on initial 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 initial proposals, including those for the Three Bridges CPZ and Northgate Road are illustrated in Appendix A. Also included in Appendix A are the papers that formed the basis of the informal consultation (see paragraph 4.3). 4. 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 November 2010, an informal 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 also provided on the County Council’s website and were publicised through site notices in each of the roads affected as well as a notice in the local press. The informal consultation ran until Christmas Eve 2010. 4.3 Residents directly affected by the proposals in The Birches and Northgate Road received an information pack through the post. This included a letter with a reply slip and pre paid envelope, a leaflet and a plan of the proposals. 4.4 In The Birches (incorporating Rye Ash, Coppice Walk and Forge Road (East)), a total of 281 information packs were posted to residents and 102 responses were received. Of these 75 recognised that there was a parking problem and 63 wanted the planning/consultation process to proceed. A summary of the responses is outlined in Appendix B. 4.5 In Northgate Road, a total of 74 information packs were sent out to residents and 22 responses were received. Of these, 9 expressed support for the proposals, 7 objected, 4 were neutral and 2 offered no response. A summary of the responses received is detailed in Appendix C. 4.6 A number of minor amendments were also proposed in roads within the recently introduced Three Bridges CPZ. A summary of the responses received is detailed in Appendix D. 5. Resources Implications and Value for Money 5.1 The total scheme budget is estimated at £15,000 over the financial year 2009/10. 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 November/December 2010 and by ongoing consultation with stakeholders. Pending approval, it is envisaged that a formal advertisement of traffic orders would take place later in 2011, offering residents, businesses and stakeholders a further opportunity to comment. 7. Customer Focus Appraisal A Customer Focus Appraisal has been undertaken and is attached as an Appendix to this report (Appendix E). 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 – Information pack posted to residents, including plans of the proposals. B – Summary of responses to informal consultation – The Birches. C – Summary of responses to informal consultation – Northgate Road D - Summary of responses to informal consultation – Three Bridges CPZ E – 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 .