Agenda item

The report before Members outlined the responses received to the advertised proposals to include the residents of Court Gardens and Hall Terrace in to the Harold Wood Controlled Parking Zone (Sector HWE) and recommended a further course of action.

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements and with the agreement of the Chairman the Committee was addressed by two objectors with a response given by officers.

The first objector commented that Court Avenue and Davids Drive were being  used by commuters at one end and residents of Court Gardens and Hall Terrace, at the other end, who parked in the roads as they had no parking provision of their own. This led to some residents installing crossovers as they had previously been unable to park near their properties. The objector commented that the roads were not wide but were also being used by vehicles accessing the industrial estate.

The second objector commented that the proposed scheme needed to be reviewed as it would inconvenience all residents. The objector stated that visitors and emergency services often struggled to access the roads. The objector suggested that the only option to solve the issue was for the installation of crossover over the grassed area fronting Court Gardens and Hall Terrace.

During the debate Members discussed whether a previous planning restriction had prevented the roads from previously being included the CPZ and the possibility of adding vehicle crossovers to the grassed area fronting Court Gardens and Hall Terrace.

Officers advised that the verge along the front of the properties was the property of TfL and that TfL would not consider the installation of crossovers off of a road where cars were travelling at significant speeds as it would be unsafe and also cost prohibitive.

Members discussed the possibility of issuing residents parking permits however it was felt that this could set a precedent that would have to be followed elsewhere in the borough. Members also discussed the possibility of providing parking off the service road to the rear of Court Gardens and Hall Terrace. This was discounted owing to the fact that that the land in question was not public highway. 

A number of members voiced their concern over the effect that the proposals would have on the residents of Court Avenue and Davids Drive.

Having considered the report and the representations made, it was RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment that;

a.      The proposals to include all residents of Court Gardens and Hall Terrace in the Harold Wood Controlled Parking Zone (Sector HWE) (as shown on the plan contained in Appendix A), be implemented as advertised;

b.    the effect of any agreed proposals be monitored.

Members noted that the advertised proposals for the installation of a Disabled Parking Bay along the flank wall of No. 21 Hall Terrace would be dealt with under the Head of StreetCare’s delegated powers of authority in the event that agreement could not be reached with Transport for London on the installation of a vehicle crossover in Colchester Road.

Members noted that the estimated cost for the current proposals in Court Gardens and Hall Terrace, as set out in the report was £500, and would be met from the 2016/17 Minor Parking Schemes budget.

The vote for the resolution to recommend the proposals was carried by 5 votes to 3 with 2 abstentions.

Councillors Mugglestone, Mylod and Thompson voted against the resolution.

Councillors Hawthorn and Wise abstained from voting