Agenda item

Purpose

To consider the public response to the proposed parking restriction to the southern side of Eastern Parade and St Helens Parade and the introduction of a zebra crossing on Eastern Parade.

RECOMMENDED that:

2.1           The proposed lengths of Limited Waiting Parking Places with a maximum stay of 3 hours, no return within 4 hours detailed in Appendix B, Paragraph C are implemented,

2.2           All businesses on the south and south-east sides of St Helens Parade, opposite the MF parking zone are enabled to obtain Business permits to park in MF parking zone as detailed in paragraph Appendix B, Paragraph D 2.

2.3           All businesses on the south side of Eastern Parade, opposite the MG parking zone are enabled to obtain Business permits to park in MG zone as detailed in paragraph Appendix B, Paragraph D 1.

2.4           The No Waiting At Any Time (NWAAT) double yellow lines in Eastern Parade as detailed in Appendix B, Paragraph A are removed and the 17m of residents' parking bay (MF parking zone) as detailed in Appendix B, Paragraph B is also removed.

2.5           A zebra crossing facility and associated zig-zag lines are installed on Eastern Parade, between the junctions with Helena Road and Bruce Road, adjacent to the footpath that leads to Canoe Lake Nursery, the tennis courts and The Rose Gardens.

2.6           The operation of the zebra crossing is monitored to ensure that the crossing remains appropriate for the area and the needs of residents and visitors and does not negatively impact the environment.

2.7           The impact of the parking changes on residents and businesses are monitored and further changes proposed if required.

1.    The proposed lengths of Limited Waiting Parking Places with a maximum stay of 3 hours, no return within 4 hours detailed in Appendix B, Paragraph C are implemented,

2.    All businesses on the south and south-east sides of St Helens Parade, opposite the MF parking zone are enabled to obtain Business permits to park in MF parking zone as detailed in paragraph Appendix B, Paragraph D 2.

3.    All businesses on the south side of Eastern Parade, opposite the MG parking zone are enabled to obtain Business permits to park in MG zone as detailed in paragraph Appendix B, Paragraph D 1.

4.    The impact of the parking changes on residents and businesses are monitored and further changes proposed if required.

Kevin McKee, Parking Manager introduced the report.

Deputation were then heard from Mr A Leaver, Councillor Symes and Councillor Smith.  Deputations are not minuted but can be viewed here https://livestream.com/accounts/14063785/cabinet-tt-07oct2021/videos/226415420

Written deputations were then read out from:

Mr H and Mr S objecting to the proposals.

In response to questions from Councillors, Kevin Mckee and Nikki Musson clarified the following points:

In terms of the timing of the consultation, it was in the programme for the PFI contract to resurface the road this autumn, so it seemed sensible to combine this with the TRO and zebra crossing proposal to make the best use of council taxpayers money.  If the consultation had been separated for one on the parking and one on the crossing it would have lengthened the time and it may have been more confusing for the public. As part of the TRO process letters were sent out to over 600 properties in the area. 

One of the issues about the need for a crossing was that it is seasonal; there will be more demand on hot sunny days.  A zebra crossing however means it will only stop cars as and when needed by people waiting to cross.   There is currently no formal crossing point on this busy A class road.

The zebra crossing is fully funded and will be paid for out of the LTP Programme.  This is funded by various sources.  The finance officer was not sure of the details of the crossing being funded by CIL but said he could find out. Ward councillors commented that they had not agreed to any money being used from the CIL.

It would be very difficult to put a weight limit on Eastern Parade without declassifying the road.

Zebra crossings are not subject to consultations in the same way and are not subject to a TRO consultation. They are a duty that the highway authority may deem necessary to implement based on understanding of need. It was included as part of the TRO as the parking restrictions needed to be changed to implement a zebra crossing.  Officers chose to consult on this proposal and all the evidence received is included within the report to ensure transparency.    

In terms of accidents on St Helens Parade during the period 1 February 2018 and 31 January 2021 there were five accidents recorded on St Helens Parade from its junction with Eastney esplanade to Eastern Parade.  Three of these were recorded as slight and two were recorded as severe.  Opposition members said that this information should have been included in the report.

While data was included from counts undertaken in 2021, there was a concern from Members that there was significant influence from the 2020 and 2021 road closures.   It was suggested by Councillor Bosher that recommendations 2.5 and 2.6 relating to the zebra crossing be removed from the decision today to allow for a full consultation with residents and further evidence to be gathered to ensure the crossing is needed.

Opposition members also felt that clarification was needed on the assessment process as detailed on paragraph 3.10 as the conclusion was that this comes outside the normal data point that a crossing would be agreed.   It was felt there was not any longer-term perspective on if there have been issues on this road previously.  It was felt there was not enough evidence in the report to make a firm decision on whether a zebra crossing was necessary. 

Councillor Stagg agreed that this were good points although noted that there had previously been issues with traffic on St Helens Parade in the past before the seafront road was closed in 2020.

Officers advised that if Councillor Stagg was minded not to approve recommendations 2.4 and 2.5 relating to the zebra crossing, recommendation 2.6 would also need to be removed as it related to the zebra crossing. 

Councillor Stagg therefore decided not to approve recommendations 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6.  

DECISIONS: the Cabinet Member agreed:

1.    The proposed lengths of Limited Waiting Parking Places with a maximum stay of 3 hours, no return within 4 hours detailed in Appendix B, Paragraph C are implemented,

2.    All businesses on the south and south-east sides of St Helens Parade, opposite the MF parking zone are enabled to obtain Business permits to park in MF parking zone as detailed in paragraph Appendix B, Paragraph D 2.

3.    All businesses on the south side of Eastern Parade, opposite the MG parking zone are enabled to obtain Business permits to park in MG zone as detailed in paragraph Appendix B, Paragraph D 1.

4.    The impact of the parking changes on residents and businesses are monitored and further changes proposed if required.