Agenda item

The Committee considered a report that outlined the responses received to the proposals to introduce various waiting restrictions along Berther Road.

The report informed the Committee that following a request from Ward Councillors and a petition received from residents of Berther Road to deal with the increasing level of parking and its duration. Members agreed in principle for officers to undertake an informal consultation in the area, to gauge residents feeling about the parking situation

Following an informal consultation, a scheme was designed consisting of ‘At any time’ waiting restrictions on the northern side of the road, that extended to the southern side of the road to cover residential accesses, while the remainder of the southern side of the road would remain restricted by the existing Monday to Friday 8:30am to 9:30am waiting restrictions. The proposed ‘At any time’ waiting restrictions also extended into Nelmes Road, on its western side, for 10 metres either side of the junction.

The report informed the Committee that by the close of the consultation on 19 June 2015, eight responses were received to the advertised proposals, of which six were from residents who outlined their support for the scheme, one respondent was concerned about displaced parking and a petition signed by 38 residents of Berther Road requested for a residents parking scheme to be operational twice a day.  All of the responses were summarised and appended to the report.

In officer’s view, the proposed ‘At any time’ waiting restrictions were designed to deal with the increasing levels of parking taking place in the road that was related to a local successful restaurant, pub and bar, which operated late into the evening. The ‘At any time’ waiting restrictions on the northern side of the road would ensure traffic flowed, while on the southern side it would ensure that residents’ driveways were not blocked. The Monday to Friday 8:30am to 9:30am waiting restrictions on the southern side of the road would continue to limit all day commuter parking, while providing valuable parking for the local residents and businesses but would have a limited traffic calming effect.

The report detailed that any agreed restrictions would be implemented as soon as possible in order for an efficient improvement to the current parking situation in the area. It was also agreed to extend the hours of enforcement operations, with enforcement officers undertaking specific late evening patrols.

With its agreement Councillors Roger Ramsey and Ron Ower addressed the Committee.

Councillor Ramsey stated that there were problems in the area caused primarily by commuters and patrons of a local restaurant. He stated that action was required but there was no obvious that would suit everyone. Councillor Ramsey acknowledged that the purpose of the proposed scheme was to bring immediate relief to the road but noted the concerns raised by many residents over the effect of the scheme. Councillor Ramsey questioned whether a wider review of the area would, in itself, have the necessary focus to adequately deal with the issues faced by the residents of Berther Road. He stated that it would be beneficial for further dialogue to take place between residents and Council officers to find the best solution for the road and to enable residents to fully understand the implications that the scheme would have.

Councillor Ower acknowledged the problems faced by the residents of Berther Road commenting that at times the road resembled a car park. Councillor Ower stated that the level of parking, particularly at weekends, had made the road particularly dangerous. Councillor Ower identified the popularity of a local restaurant as being one of the contributory factors in the increased demand for parking in the area.  Councillor Ower noted that the day time restrictions being proposed would resolve only part of the problem. He stated that he was in agreement with Councillor Ramsey in that officers should meet with residents in order to consider all available options again. .

In accordance with the public participation arrangements the Committee was addressed by two members of the public one of whom spoke in favour of the scheme and the other who spoke against the scheme.

A resident speaking against the scheme stated that residents of Berther road had been suffering for some time because of increased parking in the road as a result of extended hours of operation of the local railway station and the increasing popularity and size of a local restaurant. The speaker commented on existing ventilation problems at the restaurant and the adverse effect that the parking issues was having on the road.   The speaker went on to state that during the consultation process residents had made alternative proposals to deal with the parking issues but these had not been taken into account. The speaker concluded by stating that the general consensus in the road was that double yellow lines don’t work.

A resident speaking in favour of the proposals stated that he lived at Tilia Court and had parking on site. The resident stated that he was in favour of double yellow lines on one side of Berther Road with parking bays provided on the opposite side. He raised concerns that if a permit parking scheme were to be implemented, this would just move the parking problem to other roads in the area.

During a brief debate, a Member raised concerns that the implementation of the scheme would result in the displacement of vehicles to neighbouring roads. The Member suggested that a wider review of the area was necessary in order to deal with the issue properly.

Another Member stated that he was in support of the proposal in the report. The Member stated that he recognised the need to resolve the conflict over parking in the road.

Another Member supported the concerns raised by Councillors Ower and Ramsey. He stated that customers fo the restaurant should be encouraged to use taxis and other forms of public transport.

Officers clarified that the recommendation in the report had been amended to recommend deferral of (a) the implementation of proposed waiting restrictions in Berther Road for two months to afford officers and residents further time to consider alternative schemes.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1.            To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment that;

(a)      the implementation of waiting restrictions in Berther Road be deferred for two months; and

(b)      a further review of the wider area around Emerson Park Station be undertaken with residents and businesses of the area being given the option of having a permit parking scheme