Minutes:
Jeff reported that following consultation it had been ascertained that the majority of residents in the area south of Biddulph Street were in favour of the Residents Parking proposals, whereas the majority of residents in streets north of Biddulph street were opposed to the proposals. Based on these outcomes it was proposed to remove the streets north of Biddulph Street from the scheme. An objectors meeting was due to be held on 16th August and a report would then be taken to Planning and Development Control Committee on 13th September and Cabinet for a final decision on 4 October.
It was stated that Parking Permits would be priced at £25 per resident per year, Blue Badge holders would receive free permits. Visitor tickets would be priced at £2 for 2 days and free permits would be available for 1 day.
A series of questions were asked and responses given, as set out below: -
i) A member of the public questioned the levels of vehicle displacement, particularly in the Elmfield and Ashfield Road areas that were already fairlyheavily congested. It was further questioned whether any consideration been given to the several Voluntary Sector projects based within the proposed residents Parking zone and what arrangements would be put in place for their members.
Jeff stated that the issue of displacement was a real problem and that officers would recommend that, following the implementation of the South Highfields scheme, schemes be implemented in those areas that displaced vehicles would be using.
Jeff stated that he was not aware of objections from any of the Vouluntary Sector projects within the area of the scheme, but officers were happy to visit local residents meetings to give assurances.
ii) A member of the public stated that Highfields Association of Residents and Tenants (HART) covered the whole of the proposed Residents Parking area and it was clear that most residents in the area identified wanted the scheme to remove commuter parking and on-street car sales. HART had leafleted virtually every house within the Phase 2 area and had been led to believe that they had until 23 August to feed back results to the City Council. HART urged the City Council to wait for the result of their survey as it was felt that it would represent a more definitive response.
The Chair stated that, during campaigning for the recent Parliamentary Election, he had received more objections to Residents Parking than any other issue. This scheme was a very contentious issue.
Further discussion took place and a number of concerns were raised around the proposed implementation of this particular Residents Parking Scheme. It was strongly stated that the streets referred to that were to be excluded from the scheme should in fact be included, and the number of actual objectors was questioned. It was also stated that Ward Councillors should have had a say as to whether the scheme was taken forward or not, rather than the Director and the Cabinet Lead member taking this decision, as had been previously notified to the Ward Councillors. It was suggested that a meeting be called to discuss how best to proceed with the scheme and involving the Ward Councillors, the Cabinet Lead member for Highways and Transportation and the relevant officers.
RESOLVED:
that a meeting be arranged involving the Ward Councillors, the Cabinet Lead member for Highways and Transportation and the relevant officers to discuss how best to proceed with the South Highfields Residents Parking Scheme.