Agenda item

Purpose of Report

To report to the Executive the options relating to the expansion of Residents’ Parking Schemes in Lincoln.

Decision

That the Executive:

(1)  Supports the proposal to commence formal consultations to introduce extensions to the Residents’ Parking Scheme for the streets identified in Appendices A and B.

(2)  Supports the proposal to commence formal consultations to introduce extensions to the Residents’ Parking Scheme for the Bailgate between Newport Arch and Westgate.

(3)  Supports the proposal to commence formal consultations to introduce extensions to the Residents’ Parking Scheme for the streets identified in Appendices C and D.

(4)  That officers review parking demands in the parts of St Catherine’s and Newark Road marked blue on Appendix C and also the sections of Monks Road beyond the existing Residents’ Parking Scheme area, upon consultation of the proposals above.

(5)  That, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, additional streets identified for inclusion as part of proposed Residents’ Parking Schemes since the publication of the report be included as part of the above formal consultations as appropriate.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The development and implementation of Residents’ Parking Schemes in Lincoln had been well established over many years and was now in place in 19 zones covering a significant part of the city. It was generally acknowledged that in order to defend residents’ ability to find a place to park near their homes, then an authorisation scheme needed to be operated.

Paragraph 3.2 of the report outlined the process and responsibilities for extending or introducing new Residents’ Parking Schemes. The City Council was responsible for all costs associated with the initial survey work, public consultations, drafting and advertising the Traffic Regulation Order and the corresponding signs and road markings. If supported and agreed, the City Council would administer the permits for residents and retain the permit income in mitigation of costs incurred, which should be no more than the cost of introducing the scheme in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1984. Once installed, enforcement of on-street contraventions within the Residents’ Parking Scheme was the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council, with the County Council retaining all income from any Penalty Charge Notices issued to offset the costs of enforcement.

Residents’ Parking Schemes were known to have a number of benefits, not just in helping those residents who lived in a given area. Studies had shown that up to 30% of circulating traffic which was looking for a free parking space was removed from an area after the introduction of parking controls. Further key benefits were set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report.

The expansion of Residents’ Parking Schemes was currently an identified priority within the joint City Council and County Council Parking Strategy for Lincoln, taking into account the expected increase in housing growth within the Lincoln catchment area which would significantly impact car transport seeking to reach Lincoln’s city centre.

Over the last few years public comment had led officers to the view that there was now significant opinion in support of an expansion of Residents’ Parking Schemes in some areas of Lincoln. In working up proposals, based upon consideration by the Policy Scrutiny Committee on 16 August 2016 and further feedback from ward members, a phased approach was proposed as identified in paragraphs 6 to 8 of the report, with those specific streets potentially impacted identified in the appendices to the report. Further phases had been identified in paragraph 5.2 of the report.

It was noted that, since the publication of the report, other streets had been identified by members of the public for consideration as Residents’ Parking Schemes. An assurance was given that these would be included as part of the proposed formal consultation process. At least 50% of respondents to the formal consultation process for any proposed Residents’ Parking Scheme must be in favour of the scheme for it to be able to progress.

Implementation was forecast based on 1 January 2019 for phase one, 1 July 2019 for phase two and 1 November 2019 for phase three.

Councillor Donald Nannestad indicated that residents of West Bight and Chapel Lane would wish to be included as part of any proposals for the expansion or introduction of Residents’ Parking Schemes in that area. The Strategic Director of Communities and Environment confirmed that these streets would be considered alongside other streets that had been identified since the publication of the report.

Councillor Fay Smith recalled the previous consultation undertaken in the Sincil Bank area of the city and confusion that occurred regarding the requirement of at least 50% of respondents in order for a scheme to progress. She reiterated that it was 50% of those people who responded to the consultation that needed to vote in favour of the scheme for it to progress rather than 50% of the people consulted upon. She said that lots of people in the area who did not own cars did not respond to the consultation last time as they did not think it was relevant to them. Her view was that the introduction of a Residents’ Parking Scheme to that part of the city would significantly reduce the number of cars parking there and make it appear much less crowded.

Councillor Neil Murray reflected on the Sincil Bank area of the city, which he said had become a free car park for commuters and shoppers with most cars parking on those streets not belonging to the people who lived there. The introduction of a Residents’ Parking Scheme in this area of the city would assist the significant regeneration work taking place there.

Councillor Jackie Kirk was of the view that the introduction or expansion of Residents’ Parking Schemes in Lincoln would make a vast improvement to certain areas of the city. Councillor Kirk made reference to the number of businesses on Lincoln high street in the south of the city and that people did not solely work in the centre of the city. She asked what provision businesses would be provided with by way of car parking should a scheme be introduced and whether they would be consulted upon as part of the formal consultation process. The Strategic Director confirmed that businesses would be part of the formal consultation process and that a business would receive two Residents’ Parking passes should such a scheme be introduced in their locality. He added that the introduction of Residents’ Parking Schemes provided opportunities for the Council and the Lincoln Business Improvement Group to work together regarding commuter travel plans in the city centre.

It was noted that the phased approach and timescales set out in the report were subject to resources, both from the City Council’s perspective but also that of Lincolnshire County Council.