Agenda item

The report before the Committee detailed responses to the advertised proposals to introduce a change of times of operation in part of the RO1 parking zone, along with junction protection to alleviate congestion issues.

The report detailed that following previous requests from concerned residents and a submission of a petition by 37 petitioners via Ward Councillors, it was agreed to undertake a review of the RO1 zone, with particular attention to the congestion and safety surrounding Carlton Road and its junctions with Glenwood Drive, Lodge Avenue and Stanley Road, and also reducing the perceived non-resident parking within the area.

In officers’ view, due to the proximity of Gidea Park Station and Romford Station there was a high risk of perceived non-resident parking. It was noted that if implemented, the area would be monitored and reviewed after six months to see if there are any detrimental effects to traffic flow or residential parking within the area.

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by two residents who were both in support of the proposal.

The first resident stated that she had lived in the area for about 20 years and that local residents were in despair as a result of communter parking. The resident stated that current restrictions were not effective and raised concerns over obstructive parking, damage to vehicles and anti-social behaviour.. The resident suggested that the restrictions should be operational all day Monday to Saturday.

A second resident addressed the Committee and stated that the current restrictions were not effective, as there was all day parking in the area and commuters left rubbish on the street. The resident was of the opinion that the restriction times need to be extended and that junctions should be protected to limit inconsiderate parking.

During a brief debate a Member was of the view that enforcement of the current restrictions would be a more effective way to resolve the issues outlined by local residents.

A number of Members spoke in support of the proposal. 

Officers updated Members on an amendment to the recommendation which would now be as follows:

·          the Gidea Park Review area labelled Part 3 on the plan in Appendix A of the report be formally consulted on for a change to the operational times of parking restrictions to 8:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday;

·         the Gidea Park Review area labelled Part 2 on the plan in Appendix A be informally consulted to establish any parking issues in the area;

·         that following the results of the informal consultations of the Gidea Park Review area shown labelled Part 1 in the report titled Appendix A , proposals be progressed for the:

                                          i.    introduction of junction protection at the junctions of Glenwood Drive and Carlton Road, Lodge Avenue and Carlton Road, and Stanley Road and Carlton Road, to increase safety and reduce congestion on Carlton Road;

                                        ii.    changes to the times of operation in Glenwood Drive (partial), Lodge Avenue (partial) and Carlton Road (partial), to match the existing times of operation in the western part of the RO1 zone (The plan of affected area is appended in Appendix D).

·         The schemes’ section should notify the residents of the outcome of the consultation.

·         This scheme was progressed to a Statutory Consultation.

·         The effects of any agreed proposals be monitored once implemented for a period of six months.

The Committee considered the report and RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Regulatory Services and Community Safety that:

·         the Gidea Park Review area labelled Part 3 on the plan in Appendix A of the report be formally consulted on for a change to the operational times of parking restrictions to 8:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday;

·         the Gidea Park Review area labelled Part 2 on the plan in Appendix A be informally consulted to establish any parking issues in the area;

·         that following the results of the informal consultations of the Gidea Park Review area shown labelled Part 1 in the report titled Appendix A , proposals be progressed for the:

                                       iii.    introduction of junction protection at the junctions of Glenwood Drive and Carlton Road, Lodge Avenue and Carlton Road, and Stanley Road and Carlton Road, to increase safety and reduce congestion on Carlton Road;

                                       iv.    changes to the times of operation in Glenwood Drive (partial), Lodge Avenue (partial) and Carlton Road (partial), to match the existing times of operation in the western part of the RO1 zone (The plan of affected area is appended in Appendix D).

·         The schemes’ section should notify the residents of the outcome of the consultation.

·         This scheme was progressed to a Statutory Consultation.

·         The effects of any agreed proposals be monitored once implemented for a period of six months.

Members noted that the estimated cost of the scheme was £5,000 and would be funded from the Capital Parking Strategy Investment Allocation 2016/2017.