Agenda item

The Chair informed the meeting that item 6 on the agenda (Cheyne Walk Area – Objections to the Proposed Extension of the Free Parking Zone) would be taken first.

The Committee considered the objections received from the public following the formal consultation process on a proposal to extend the existing Croydon Controlled Parking Zone (West Permit Zone) to Sussex Road with a combination of Shared-Use Permit/Pay via Ring-Go (8 hours maximum stay) bays and single yellow lines operating from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and to Sunny Nook Gardens with Permit parking only, operating during the same hours.

The Parking Design Manager informed Members that the report provided details on objections which had been received on the proposed extension of the zone. It was recognised that nine objections had been received, however officers recommended with proceeding with the scheme to relieve parking pressures in the area which would increase once new developments were occupied.

In response to questions the Parking Design Manager confirmed that the results of informal consultations were normally included in reports, however stated that in response to the informal consultation there had been 32 responses from Sussex Road, 17 in favour and 15 against, and seven responses in Sunny Nook Gardens, four in favour and three against. It was noted that objector 1 in the report had stated that they had changed their mind and was now against the proposal, however it was stated that if the council continued to re-consult it would get different results every time.

The Parking Design Manager confirmed there were a group of parking bays on Moreton Road and that it was proposed that these bays be moved from the South Permit Zone to the West Permit Zone. It was noted that these bays were under-utilised whereas the northern part of Sussex Road often suffered from heavy parking. The officer stated that parking stress should ease with the introduction of controlled parking in the area.

Councillor Clancy informed the Committee that he lived in the area, but did not live in the roads affected by the proposals. Concerns were raised that a resident had notified the council that they had changed their mind and as such the vote was tied in Sussex Road. It was further noted that objections had been received from businesses which were already under pressure due to the covid-19 pandemic and that the council should not implement a scheme which would cause further pressure.

In response, the Parking Design Manager informed Members that the consultation had taken place in January and February 2020 and so had not been impacted by covid-19. Whilst it was noted that objections had been received from businesses, many of them in the local area had off street parking and that parking controls should make it easier for businesses and their customers to park in the area. The Committee noted that some vans parked on yellow lines which also caused issues for buses to pass down the road and so it was anticipated that controls would ease the flow of traffic also.

Members of the Committee noted that the resident in objection 1 in the report had changed their mind due to the lack of information on the parking charges which would be applied, however it was felt that this information was available. Whilst there would be an impact on businesses in the area, it was stated that it was hoped that it would be a positive one with more parking available in the area.

The Chair noted that the consultation was intended to inform the council of residents’ views on proposed scheme but that it was not intended to be a referendum. It was noted that parking stress was experienced in the area and that if the council did not proceed with scheme at this time that it would take over 18 months for the council to reconsider the scheme due to the limited resources in the council.

The Committee voted on the officer’s recommendations and voted three in support and two in opposition. The Committee therefore resolved to support the recommendations.

RESOLVED: That the Traffic Management Advisory Committee agreed to

recommend to the Acting Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and

Regeneration (Job Share) that they:

1.      Consider the responses received to the formal consultation to extending the existing Croydon Controlled Parking Zone (West Permit Zone) into Sussex Road with a combination of Shared-Use Permit/Pay via Ring-Go (8 hours maximum stay) and single yellow lines operating from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and to Sunny Nook Gardens for Permits only operating 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

2.      Agree for the reasons detailed in this report to extend the Croydon Controlled Parking Zone (West Permit Zone) into Sussex Road in it’s entirety as well as into Sunny Nook Gardens as shown on drawing number PD 407.

3.      Inform the objectors and supporters of the above decision.