Agenda item - Parking zones proposed to be removed or reduced in size and amended in light of the consultation response to reintroducing a charge for the first resident permit

The purpose of the Director Transport, Environment and Business Support's report, following consideration of the consultation responses (on re-introducing a charge for the first Resident permit), is to set out which parking zones it is proposed to remove entirely or reduce in size and amend. The zones remaining as they are and/or with changes are considered within a separate report.

(1) That proposals are put forward under a formal Traffic Regulation Order (includes public consultation) to remove the following parking zones:

* AA Newbolt Road (Paulsgrove)

* AC Farmlea Road (Paulsgrove)

* JD Portsea North (Portsea)

(2) That proposals are put forward under a formal Traffic Regulation Order (includes public consultation) to reduce in size and amend the operation of the following parking zones:

* GA Fratton - Permit Holders Only 11am-1pm in:

SelbourneTerr, Claremont Rd, Kingsdown Pl, Walmer

Rd (to Guildford Rd junction), Ariel Rd, Thorncroft Rd,

Cornwall Rd, Purbrook Rd, Lincoln Rd.

- Remove residents' parking restriction from rest of GA.

* FD Bevis Road - Permit Holders Only 1pm-3pm in:

Mills Rd, Bevis Rd, Bevis Rd North, Seagrove Rd, Croft

Rd and Stamshaw Rd (between Seagrove Rd and

Pitcroft Rd)

- Remove residents' parking restriction from rest of FD.

- Combine remaining FD roads with remaining FG roads.

* FG Stamshaw South - Permit Holders Only 1pm-3pm in:

Lower Derby Rd and link road (west of Twyford Ave),

Stanley Rd, Simpson Rd, Twyford Ave (south of Lower

Derby Rd to roundabout)

- Remove residents' parking restrictions from rest of FG.

- Combine remaining FG roads with remaining FD roads.

(Paragraph 4.4 of the report gives details of how the above would be achieved.)

Alan Cufley the Director of Transport, Environment and Business Support presented his report and recommended that three areas were removed and others were amended for which there would need to be Traffic Regulation Orders and a report back to the Cabinet Member of Traffic & Transportation. Councillor Ellcome then gave those who had made the previous deputations another chance to speak.

Mr Drew had spoken earlier, whose points had included:

· Concern about the removal or amendment of GA as it was already difficult to park there.

· There would be displacement from parking by commuters using the station.

· Shoppers also used the area as a free car park

· Football day/evening parking meant it was difficult for residents to park in their roads at these times.

· There were many untaxed cars left unchecked by wardens.

He added an extra point regarding that where there was a parking zone displacement the second and third vehicles would be parked outside the zones such as at St Mary's Road where there were vans parked outside the Fratton GA zone.

Councillor Hunt wished to reiterate that the Liberal Democrats would have all zones as free and pointed out that the MB and MC model showed that a profit could be made of £38,000 per annum and pointed out there were five other zones that the current administration had decided not to go ahead with. There was a danger of over-consulted leading to the low response levels and he felt that the previous evidence should also be considered by the Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation.

Councillor Winnington added:

· He was disappointed there was no mention of the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) so he felt that the report was flawed.

· The wealthier areas they were keeping their zones.

· There was evidence that shorter zones worked as at MB where parking paid for itself.

· There should be a proper review not just saying that you either pay or lose your zones.

Councillor Ashmore had spoken earlier, whose points included:

· He was surprised that it said in the report that most residents wanted the scheme scrapped which he disputed as this was in response to the issue of paying for the permit and its affordability.

· He warned that it had been hard to park before the zones had been implemented and he felt most residents wanted to keep the GA scheme as it was.

· He felt that by keeping it temporary in the evenings by the station, it recognised the problem but it should not just be in those roads as it would impact on others nearby.

Councillor Ashmore added that Councillor Ellcome had previously said that people value their permits and he felt this was the case in Fratton. Councillor Ellcome stressed that the hours of a zone do not affect the price of the permit. For the MA zone the two hours was to help with the commuter problem and also to give support to the local shops. With regard to the five extra zones referred to he did not wish to add more to the MC zone if it was not yet right and this was not for discussion at today's meeting but at a future meeting. He disputed that permits would be 'free' under any administration as this would need to be covered elsewhere in a budget and had been subsided at over £200,000 per annum.

Councillor Ellcome would look at the responses to the traffic regulation orders to give residents a further opportunity to consider if they wish to have a zone and would see the benefit of a £30 parking permit.

DECISIONS: