There will be an update on Highways issues including matters raised at the previous Evington Community Meeting on 11 September 2012.
Minutes:
Robert Bateman, Highway, Design and Maintenance provided an update on the highways issues that had been raised at the previous meeting.
2-4 Woodborough Road
There was a narrow footpath which needed some improvement. Officers had spoken to the adjacent landowner who had agreed to sell some of the adjacent land to the Council and it was hoped that the area could be improved for residents.
404 – 426 Coleman Road
The Council were aware of the parking difficulties that residents experienced outside their houses and funding had been allocated to ease the problems, and suitable options were being sought. Officers in Highways and Transportation were liaising with Housing officers to see how best the residents could be helped.
There was some Housing land which might be suitable for making into a parking area but planning permission would be required. There were some trees on the site and issues relating to the trees and ecology matters would need to be taken into account. Suki Supria, Head of Service, Housing added that if parking bays were created on Housing land, that area would remain Housing land and the area could not then be adopted by Highways. One consequence of this would be that untaxed vehicles would be able to park there.
Members of the community heard that it was also hoped that if additional parking spaces could be created, the chosen option would not prevent any further building at a later date if more money should become available.
Residents commented that a petition had been submitted to request that more parking space should be made available as the inadequate parking provision was creating a plethora of difficulties for them. The following comments and concerns were raised:
· Concern was expressed that at a recent house fire, the fire engine had not been able to get to the property in question.
· Improved parking was needed for health and safety reasons.
· It was difficult for people with babies and young children to park their cars and carry their children and shopping in to their houses. Where there was a distance to walk with a lot to carry, babies / young children could not be left either in the car or in the house on their own whilst the shopping was unloaded.
· There were problems for the elderly when they needed ambulances or transport. The vehicles had to park some distance from the homes because they were unable to park close to the property.
· Cars were been driven across the grassy area near to the houses and there was a concern that people were going to get hurt. Members of the community expressed support for a knee high fence to be erected as a safety measure on the green, to prevent vehicular access.
· People from the General Hospital were parking by the residents’ houses to avoid paying parking charges.
· More parking was needed, but requests were made that the footpath should be retained.
· It was suggested that some of the trees could be removed to create more space for parking.
· Concerns were expressed that bollards had been erected which were too narrow to manoeuvre a double pushchair through. A Housing officer explained that she was sure that the bollards were the correct measurement, but they could be re-checked.
Members of the community heard that there would be a consultation before a final decision was made.