Issue - meetings
Petition objecting to, and seeking changes to, the existing parking restrictions and arrangements on Ealing Road
Meeting: 17/07/2012 - Highways Committee (Item 5)
5 Petition: parking restrictions and arrangements on Ealing Road PDF 702 KB
This report advises the committee of a petition received in relation to the hours of operation of the E Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) and charges for “pay & display” parking. The petition has been signed by Traders in Ealing Road and local residents. This report outlines the background and officers’ response to the matter.
Decision:
(i) that the petition and the issues raised be noted and the lead petitioner informed of the decision of the Committee set out in (ii) below;
(ii) that the response to the petition set out in the report submitted be noted and a review of the E CPZ operational hours be considered for inclusion in the 2013/14 CPZ work programme to be submitted for approval in due course.
Minutes:
Linda Parmar introduced herself as representing businesses in Ealing Road.
She presented the petition submitted by residents and traders concerning the
level of charges imposed for parking and seeking more free parking. Linda
Parmar submitted that the parking restrictions in the area were having a detrimental effect on businesses which were already struggling to survive. They relied on visitors being attracted to the area but due to the lack of parking and high charges for what parking was available, people were shopping elsewhere. She urged the Council to work with businesses and residents to address what she considered to now be a very grave situation before more businesses chose to close down and move elsewhere. She asked for a reduction in parking charges, the lifting of event day parking restrictions, dual use of parking bays, Sunday free parking, provision of a car park and lifting of the maximum two hour stay.
David McKibbin, Interim Head of Highways and Transportation, responded by saying that some of the points raised at the meeting went beyond the terms of the petition submitted. He stated that the Council was aware of the many difficulties facing traders across the borough which were caused by many factors. David McKibbin introduced the report submitted which explained the background to the introduction of the controlled parking zone (CPZ) and responded to the points made in the petition. He reminded the committee that this was primarily a residential parking scheme that had been introduced following extensive consultation back in the 1990’s. The charging levels were comparable to other areas of the borough and he was reluctant to suggest changes in response to the views of just the petitioners, hence the recommendation to review the zone by carrying out a full consultation exercise in about 18 months’ time.
Councillor Beswick recognised that the petitioners would consider 18 months a long time to wait. He felt the situation in Ealing Road was in need of review both from the trader’s and resident’s points of view and asked if the consultation could be brought forward. The Chair referred to a meeting he had attended to hear the concerns of local people and asked if any progress had been made on identifying a site for parking. In response David McKibbin stated that consideration could be given to bringing the consultation forward to the beginning of the 2013/14 programme. It was put to the meeting that a prime site for parking had been identified but that it was occupied by two properties which the Council would first need to buy.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the petition and the issues raised be noted and the lead petitioner informed of the decision of the Committee set out in (ii) below;
(ii) that the response to the petition set out in the report submitted be noted and a review of the E CPZ operational hours be considered for inclusion in the 2013/14 CPZ work programme to be submitted for approval in due course.