Officers from the Regeneration, Transport and Highways Division will be present to discuss traffic and highways issues in the area.
Minutes:
Andy Thomas from the Regeneration, Transport and Highways Division was present to discuss traffic and highways issues in the area.
In respect of the concerns around hospital commuter parking in the Gwendolen Road area, Andy informed the meeting that the concerns had been taken up with representatives at the General Hospital and that the Hospital were to provide an assessment of the traffic conditions in the area close to the hospital. It was reported that this assessment would be brought to a future meeting within the next few months. Councillor Dawood added that the creation of any additional parking spaces for staff at the hospital should help to alleviate the current concerns.
In respect of the Frederick Street Traffic Regulation Order, Andy explained that officers hoped to secure enough legal parking space for residents whilst at the same time ensuring that emergency services vehicles could safely access residential properties. He stated that it was difficult to manage the policy within inner-city areas where the streets were particularly narrow. He also explained that officers were currently considering the views of residents who had objected to the scheme as part of the statutory consultation process, and that these included the views of teachers who worked at local schools. Members were informed that school travel plans were devised to make transport arrangements as easy as possible for both teachers and pupils.
Concern was also expressed by members of the public around commuter parking in St Matthews. Andy shared these concerns and felt that the problem was particularly bad around the Malabar Road area. He stated that the situation was surveyed by officers three and a half months ago, and agreed to monitor it again, prior to the next meeting on 1 March which was to be held in St Matthews. It was confirmed that there was currently no residents parking scheme in St Matthews. Councillor Dawood agreed to discuss the matter in further detail at the next meeting, and encouraged those residents affected by the issue to attend.
Similar problems were also reported within the St Peters Estate. These problems were particularly with motorists parking on double-yellow lines. It was felt by several members of the public that consultation around a possible residents parking scheme for St Peters was necessary. Furthermore, a member of the public stated that commuter parking was also rife on the streets close to Spinney Hills Park, and believed that staff based at the police station often parked in residential areas. In respect of the latter point, Inspector Shane O’Neil stated that Spinney Hills LPU had 16 parking spaces, 10 of which were used by police vehicles, and that this left very few remaining for staff. He stated that he had never received a complaint before from a member of the public around this issue as he felt that the public recognised police officers and other staff as part of the community. He stated that he was happy to discuss the matter further, should it be perceived as particularly problematic. Councillor Dawood suggested that a meeting be convened between residents affected by this issue, local police officers and Ward Councillors.