Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Outcome of statutory consultation for a proposed extension to the operational times of the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’
Report Document
Can't see the PDF? Download Report
Decision / Minutes Document
Can't see the PDF? Download Minutes
Text extracted from PDFs
View Report Text
Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0185 DDI: 01895 25 0185 My Ref: LP To: COUNCILLOR JOHN RILEY CABINET MEMBER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSPORT c.c. All Members of Executive Scrutiny Committee c.c. Perry Scott, Residents Services c.c. Aileen Campbell, Residents Services c.c. Chairman of the Residents, Education and Environmental Services Policy Overview Committee c.c. Ward Councillors for Cavendish c.c. Conservative and Labour Group Offices (inspection copy) Date: 11 May 2021 Non-Key Decision request Form D EASTCOTE PARKING MANAGEMENT SCHEME ‘ZONE E2’ - OUTCOME OF STATUTORY CONSULTATION ON A PROPOSED EXTENSION TO THE OPERATING TIMES OF THE SCHEME Dear Cabinet Member Attached is a report requesting that a decision be made by you as an individual Cabinet Member. Democratic Services confirm that this is not a key decision, as such the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (Englan d) Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply. You should take a decision on or after Wednesday 19 May 2021 in order to meet Constitutional requirements about publication of decisions that are to be made. You may wish to discuss the report with the Corporate Director before it is made. Please indicate your decision on the duplicate memo supplied, and return it to me when y ou have made your decision. I will then arrange for the formal notice of decision to be published. Liz Penny Democratic Services Officer Title of Report: EASTCOTE PARKING MANAGEMENT SCHEME ‘ZONE E2’ - OUTCOME OF STATUTORY CONSULTATION ON A PROPOSED EXTENSION TO THE OPERATING TIMES OF THE SCHEME Decision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) Signed ………………………………………………………Date…………………….. Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport Cabinet Member Report – 11 May 2021 Page 1 (Part 1 Public) EASTCOTE PARKING MANAGEMENT SCHEME ‘ZONE E2’ - OUTCOME OF STATUTORY CONSULTATION ON A PROPOSED EXTENSION TO THE OPERATING TIMES OF THE SCHEME Cabinet Member(s) Councillor John Riley Cabinet Portfolio(s) Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport Officer Contact(s) Aileen Campbell, Transport and Projects Papers with report Appendices A and B HEADLINES Summary To inform the Cabinet Member of the responses received to the formal consultation for a proposed extension to the operating times of the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’. Putting our Residents First This report supports the Council objective of Our People. Results of the consultation will be considered in relation to the Council’s strategy for parking in residential areas. Financial Cost There are no direct financial implications a ssociated with the recommendations to this report. Relevant Policy Overview Committee Residents, Education & Environmental Services. Relevant Ward(s) Cavendish. RECOMMENDATIONS That the Cabinet Member: 1. Notes the responses received to the formal consultation on proposals for a n extension to the operational times of the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’. 2. Instructs officers to take no further action in extending the operational times of the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’ at the present time, due to the apparent lack of support. Cabinet Member Report – 11 May 2021 Page 2 (Part 1 Public) Reasons for recommendations The recommendations reflect the responses received to the consultation with residents. Alternative options considered / risk management The consultation offered residents the option of no changes to the current parking arrangements in their road. Policy Overview Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 1. The Cabinet Member will recall that a petition signed by 79 residents of Woodlands Avenue and Telcote Way, Eastcote was submitted to the Council requesting longer operational times of the Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’. The petition specifically asked for the operational times to operate “every evening after 17:00hrs and all day Sundays and Bank Holidays” to ultimately have a “ 24 hour seven days a week Parking Management Scheme” . ‘Zone E2’ is in close proximity to Eastcote Underground Station and local amenities which could make the area a desirable place to conveniently park for shoppers and commuters . Following a Petition Hearing with the former Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, officers were instructed to carry out informal consultation with residents. 2. In liaison with local Ward Councillors, residents within the whole of ‘Zone E2’ were informally consulted on whether they would support the operational times of the scheme being extended from ‘Mo nday to Saturday 9am to 5pm’ to ‘9am to 10pm everyday’ . The results of the consultation indicated that overall, the majority of residents supported an extension to the operating times. However, further detailed analysis of the results for each road showed that the majority of residents who took the opportunity to respond from Sunningdale Avenue and Newnham Avenue indicated they would prefer the parking arrangements to remain as they are. Following discussions with local Ward Councillors and the former Cabin et Member for Planning and Transportation the decision was made to progress with formal consultation for a proposed extension to the operational times of the scheme. It seemed sensible to include the whole of ‘Zone E2’ within the formal consultation, as to exclude one small section of one road within the scheme from the consultation would be impractical . Residents in this area would also have a further opportunity to comment on whether they still objected to an extension of the operating times of the scheme during the formal consultation. 3. The 21 day statutory consultation was undertaken in the usual manner. Public notices were displayed on site as well as in the local newspaper , and residents in the plan attached as Appendix A were delivered an information letter. This explained how residents can make their views known to the Council on whether they support the scheme as proposed , have any suggested modifications, or object to the proposals. Cabinet Member Report – 11 May 2021 Page 3 (Part 1 Public) 4. 43 responses were received to the formal consultation which took place from 10 th March 2021 until 31st March 2021. 40 comments were received from residents who live within ‘Zone E2’. Three comments were received from residents who live outside the scheme, all objecting to the proposals . They advised that non-residential parking would just shift to surrounding roads if a time extension was implemented, and the cars which are usually parked in the area during evenings and over the weekend are often visitors or additional cars from local householders anyway, not commuters or shoppers. All of the comments received in response to the formal consultation are tabulated as Appendix B. 5. In Newnham Avenue, eight out of the nine comments received by the Council objected to the proposals advising that there is not an issue with parking outside of the current operational times to warrant such an excessive change. One resident in support of the proposed changes said that “with the Covid pandemic and things not quite normal, I think it is a good idea and should continue”, however other residents shared concerns that an increase in operational times would result in an increased cost to residents as well as apprehension that the proposals would “isolate” residents who are vulnerable or elderly even further over the weekend. One comment received by the Council expressed that extending the operational times to ‘9am to 10pm everyday’ would “ impact the area unnecessarily” and i nstead, people should be encouraged to use and support local amenities especially since some local businesses have not been able to be open due to the Covid-19 restrictions. 6. The responses received from the residents of Windermere Avenue who took the opportunity to comment all objected to the proposals . One comme nt explains that the scheme was introduced to help prevent parking from Newnham School and commuters, which it is currently achieving. As seen in App endix B o ther comments from Windermere Avenue show how residents want no changes to be made to the operational times, with two residents even suggesting that the current times are too excessive. 7. In Sunningdale Avenue, the majority of comments objected to the proposals. One comment in support of the proposed changes advised that the parking has hugely increased over the last few years due to the introduction of new residential developments. But yet, the majority of responses objected to the scheme operat ing ‘9am to 10pm everyday’ as residents had concerns over the additional cost of permits and being able to have family and friends visit so freely, even being described by one resident as “disastrous”. The comments overall showed that residents feel the current scheme times are more than sufficient and have no problems with parking outside the present operational times of the scheme. 8. Only one comment was received from residents living in Telcote Way, located in Woodlands Avenue close to the junction with Field End Road, was in support of the proposals. In Woodlands Avenue, seven out of 17 responses also indicated support for longer operational times of the Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’, with these comments advising that the road is very congested and residential parking has been an issue during the evenings and weekends for a long time. However, although the petition for an extension of the operational times of the Parking Management Scheme originated from Telcote Way and Woodlands Avenue, as seen in Appendix B, the majority of comments received to the formal consultation objected to the proposed changes. A couple of comments advised that the “Council should look to reduce the hours” showing that although parking may be at a premium, the current Cabinet Member Report – 11 May 2021 Page 4 (Part 1 Public) times already prevent commuter parking and the proposals are too radical. A number of comments from residents of Woodlands Avenue also expressed how when the Covid -19 restrictions are eased, they would like people to visit without needing to worry about the cost and whether they have enough visitor’s vouchers. The current operational times mean that residents have evenings and Sunday when visitors do not need to display a visitor’s voucher and can park in front of their own driveways for convenience . The majority of comments , therefore, from Woodlands Avenue indicated that residents would “prefer to retain the status quo” and do not support to the proposed time extension. 9. All the responses received to the formal consultation were shared with local Ward Councillors and the Cabinet Member for Pub lic Safety and Transport. The local Ward Councillors feel that , based on the responses, there is an apparent lack of support for an extension to the operational times of the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’ , and so the operational times should remain as existing for the time being. If residents included within the Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’ would like to suggest amendments to the operational times in the future, then they can petition the Council once again for such measures. Financial Implications There are no direct financial implications ass ociated with the recommendations to this report. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon Hillingdon residents, service users and communities The proposed extension to the operational times was requested by residents via petition and following consultation. Consultation carried out or required Statutory consultation was carried out between 10th March to 31st March 2021 by the insertion of public notices in the local newspaper and displayed on site. No further consultation is required. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance has reviewed the recommendations to this report and concurs with the financial implications as set out above. Legal The Borough Solicitor confirms that there are no legal impediments to the Cabinet Member agreeing the recommendations set out in the report which accord with the outcome of the formal consultation. Cabinet Member Report – 11 May 2021 Page 5 (Part 1 Public) Infrastructure / Asset Management None at this stage. Comments from other relevant service areas None at this stage. BACKGROUND PAPERS NIL. TITLE OF ANY APPENDICES Appendix A –Location plan of the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’. Appendix B – Tabulated responses received to the formal consultation. Road Comment Object 1) We plan to have friends and family over regularly post-covid and will need to pay for parking permits even when people visit on Sundays and weekday evenings. 2) Visitor permits are increasing in price. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Object I would like to understand why you feel there is a need to extend the scheme times to 9am-10pm everyday? And whatever your rationale for this change is to whether you have reconsidered your position since Covid and the changes to where people work has taken place. Both my parents and myself, my husband and my children all strongly disagree with your proposal. This will have a detrimental impact for all of us as means that friends and family won't be easily able to visit without the use of parking tickets from us. I have lived here for 16+ years and have never had a problem with people parking on my road who shouldn't be, excluding school drop off and pick up when parents park up and down the road. I see this proposal as being nothing more than Hillingdon Council looking to earn more money than us. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Object We feel the existing times of Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm is more than sufficient. We already have to plan when family and friends or works happen to avoid the parking restrictions. Extending the hours and additional Sunday will cause even more difficulty and expense to residents. This is compounded by the increase of the parking permits and additional vouchers. There has been no consolation over this price hike of 60% and we are completely opposed to this rise as well. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Responses received to the formal consultation on a proposed extension to the operational times of the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme 'Zone E2' Object Can you confirm when the consultation was carried out? We don’t recall receiving anything as we would have objected had we seen this. Can you confirm the start and end date and how the letter was delivered, Royal Mail, by hand etc. If it was during a school holiday or in lockdown, was there any additional comms on it like on the website or posters on street etc? Why was the consultation carried out in the first place? What issues was it supposed to address and how was the Council made aware of these issues? I have lived on Newnham Avenue for 14 years and never once had an issue with parking beyond 5pm or at all come to think of it, the stress of parking isn’t and has never been there so cant understand why you would extend it to 10pm which in turn would discourage friends and family visiting us. I would like to see the report showing the results on a street by street basis and response rate. Or just the whole report detailing the results of the consultation. I would like to know where the statutory consultation will be advertised and on what date and a copy of the traffic order that will implement the changes? On street, local newspaper, London Gazette? Why was 10pm end time proposed? What is the 10pm end time aiming to achieve? Is it parking stress at night if so there is none? If so, what evidence is there for parking stress at night? If it is based on resident responses, how many complained about night time parking stress and which roads are these responses from? It may only be a problem in certain roads and a targeted solution for those streets may be more suitable and doing a local scheme but can’t see it being this either as I know what the surrounding streets are like and stress of parking has never been an issue. There are no businesses other than Remo’s Village in the area that attract night time visitors. Even in Eastcote Town Centre the parking controls end at 6.30pm I think and there are pubs and businesses like Tesco’s open till later. I would argue that more night time visitors would park in the town centre area where it is well lit and closer to the restaurants and pubs. Why don’t the Council target traffic reduction in the area (around the school) and have the parking earlier starting at 8am-5pm to encourage parents to walk to school and this will also help reduce the risk of accidents and help climate change. We have probably never had less traffic in the area since the Covid pandemic started. Have you considered a ‘School Streets Order’ for Newnham Avenue where the road is closed to vehicular traffic during the school run with reasonable access maintained for residents who live locally and anyone vulnerable. This would reduce risk and parking in the area in the mornings when it should be targeted not at night when it’s not needed. I want to see and understand the reasoning behind it and the actual results and this scheme you want to implement. I want it on record that I object to your proposals. There is no issue of parking after 5pm. These are controlled streets between 9-5pm. Having it extended will have an impact on our friend and families visiting us. I also strongly believe the restrictions should be from 8am to help stop parents from driving to the schools and climate change. Newnham Avenue Newnham Avenue Newnham Avenue Newnham Avenue Support As a resident in 'Zone E2' having just one car and living in a 'school road' I haven't noticed any difference by extending the evening hours of parking, but with the covid pandemic and things not quite 'normal' I think that it is a good idea and should continue, Thank you for keeping our roads clean and well-lit and as an older resident of 50 years I would like to thank you for all the attention. Officer's response: The proposals have not been implemented, considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Object The concept of any parking restrictions is to stop commuters from clogging our residential areas, not to stop family and friends from visiting our homes. These restrictions are isolating many of us over the entire weekend. Since the scheme was first introduced in 1999 parking restrictions have increased on 3 separate occasions, these changes have impacted on ability to have family and friends visit us. This is affecting our well being. Newnham Avenue residents rejected the previous changes and therefore the Council should recognise our views, or should like other roads we remove ourselves from the scheme. Given the small area of Eastcote all areas should be covered by the same scheme including the parking restrictions as reflected in E3 area Monday to Friday 11am to midday. Since the introduction to the scheme there has been no increase in the number of visitor passes and this should be increased to 20 visitor passes, having family to lunch can mean 2 or three cars. The Council has still not improved parking signage directing visitors, as they enter Eastcote, from any direction, to designated car parks. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Object I feel it will impact the area unnecessarily at a time we should be looking to encourage the community to use our high street and not add obstacles to the restaurants and bars and evening entertainment locations. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Object There has been no extraordinary reasoning/explanation for these suggested amendments. We believe that this is an absolute liberty with the amount of Council Tax that we pay. It would adversely affect our living arrangements on this road. We feel that the restrictions in place already more than suffice for the needs of our road. If the borough insists on extending this then I would insist that they do the following: Increase the amount of free residents parking tickets by at the very least, double and: Reduce the cost for extra resident parking tickets. We are extremely disappointed with the borough for even allowing this to be considered. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Object We do not want the parking scheme extended from 5pm to 10pm. There is no need to change, It would be unenforceable as I would be surprised if wardens were patrolling up to 10pm at night. Officer's response: The Council's parking enforcement contractors APCOA work until 10pm. Considered as part of this report see paragraph 5 Support Parking in the zone has hugely increased over the last few years due to the introduction of new residential developments, retail businesses and restaurants. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 7 Object This would prohibit my 3 grown up children and extended family from visiting, as this would use all the scratch cards in one visit (birthdays/funerals/general visits as unwell). The present arrangements allow for Sunday/evening visiting. Also there are no allowance for parking if you have used all scratch cards, as libraries are restricted opening. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 7 Object This is going to restrict us having family members and friends popping round freely. 10 vouchers would be used up very quickly as they would no longer be able to park after 5 or on Sundays (when my family like to visit). This is very hard on pensioners like me if we are expected to pay £10 for a book of vouchers. I feel that our freedom is being taken away. Talking to my neighbours I do not believe these changes are what the majority of residents want. I have no problems with the current scheme. Newnham Avenue Newnham Avenue Newnham Avenue Newnham Avenue Newnham Avenue Sunningdale Avenue Sunningdale Avenue Sunningdale Avenue Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 7 Object If it has to be extended 6pm is quite adequate as that would cover working hours and stop people parking for the day. I also feel implementing them on a Sunday would be disastrous. We are, hopefully, coming out of one of the worst experiences of society, and looking forward to the end of lockdown and having some sort of social interactions with family and friends. How can we do this with these restrictions? I don't have off street parking; I am a pensioner! I already pay Council Tax, why cause more stress by implementing these parking restrictions and costs, which are way over the top. The increased price for extra visitor's permits is preposterous. The free vouchers we get will not be enough for a year! There will be times when we need people to come and work at our homes and they will need to do that during working hours, which therefore means they will need vouchers for parking. That could use up all or most of the free vouchers! Therefore, we need to be able to have friends and family visit when there will not be parking restrictions for the residents of the street! Please leave our evenings and Sundays free!! Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 7 Object The existing restrictions (Monday -Saturday 9am-5pm) are more than sufficient to cover the potential usage by parents dropping/collecting children from Newnham Avenue School and passengers using Eastcote Station. I believe originally that this proposal was raised by residents of Woodlands Avenue following the announcement of proposed developments at Malt House on Field End Road/Sunningdale Avenue and of houses in Woodlands Avenue but I have to say I don't understand the grievances as only a small proportion of Woodlands Avenue is actually restricted. If additional measures are required, maybe an extension to the existing parking restrictions could be extended to the whole of Woodlands Avenue instead? Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 7 Object The current scheme is absolutely fine and, if anything, could be reduced to Monday to Friday only. The scheme was initially introduced to prevent to prevent commuters leaving their car on local roads all day. However, I understand that E2 may encompass parking on parts of Field End Road and I would imagine that weekend parking is an issue for them. Perhaps give consideration to splitting the zone. Having canvassed a number of my neighbours, parking on the following residential roads (Woodlands Avenue, Windermere Avenue and Sunningdale Avenue) is not an issue at the weekend. I believe that by extending the operational times of the scheme will have an impact on family members socialising, something we have been missing now for some time and the timing of this proposal is not welcome. As you know the Council has already increased the cost of additional parking permits and the cost of visitor tickets and I think by extending the scheme only adds insult to injury! Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 7 Comment There are a number of new residential buildings in the immediate area, including the Maltworks - a building of 56 apartments on the corner of Sunningdale Avenue and Field End Road. In order for us to understand what the affect of this high density dwelling will have on the parking in our street (of only 45 properties) and therefore how to respond to the consultation letter, could you please advise: 1. If each apartment in the Maltworks has it's own off-street parking 2. If the residents are able to purchase visitor permits, enabling their visitors to park on Sunningdale Avenue. Also, an option we are considering is applying for a double dropped curve. We currently have a single, very narrow dropped curve. A double dropped curve would allow for easy drive-on access for 2 or more vehicles. This would help to deal with the parking issues that currently occur due to our proximity to the school, Eastcote Station, and Eastcote High Road. It would also help with the changes to the parking management scheme. I have noticed that some properties in the street already have double dropped curves and I would like to know if we are eligible for one also. Would you please be able to advise of the parking entitlements of the Malthouse development resident. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 7 Support I previously raised my concerns of non residents taking up residents parking after 5pm whilst they attend the local recreation activity of yoga held on Woodlands Avenue. Me being a 71 years old relies on being able to park in the allocated permit spaces as I often return after 7pm from work with shopping. On the occasion where I have returned and found no space I have had no option but to park either in my alley way of a yellow line and move the car very early the following morning. This will distract non-residents parking in the permit area. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Sunningdale Avenue Sunningdale Avenue Sunningdale Avenue Sunningdale Avenue Telcote Way Object I would just like 1 hour per day and nothing on a Saturday. I think that the charge for the new parking vouchers is exorbitant they are now £1 each and were previously 50p. 100% In fact I think that 1 hour per day Mon-Fri is sufficient, I would be interested to know why this is even being considered. I think a lot of elderly people would be very lonely if it cost them £1 everytime someone came to visit. The elderly rely on visitors and they will be the people that don't have access to the internet so can't put forward their views. Would it be possible to create a zone just for the areas that are in favour of the extension? As I have already stated a lot of people will no longer be able to socialise in the homes or will be doing it out of hours and then they could be a problem with noise! I appreciate that you can never make everyone happy but we only need 1-2 hours Mon-Fri to stop commuters parking. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 6 Object The current system works perfectly and is certainly not needed on Sundays or later in the evenings. We have no problem with parking in the evenings or Sundays and so this is for me completely unnecessary and a way for the Council to get more money out of residents of this zone by having to give out additional visitor vouchers to guests every evening and Sunday (of which will easily go above any free ones we are given). This scheme was set up to stop parking from Newnham School and parking for the station from working commuters. In its current form it is doing perfectly. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 6 Object I don't want it until 10 o'clock at night. We don't even need it at the weekends. This means you will have to have parking wardens working till 10 o'clock at night, who is going to pay for that? What a waste of taxpayers money! Surely in these challenging times there are more serious issues that should be addressed. Everyone is struggling people are losing their jobs because of the epidemic and you are threatening to double the price of the parking vouchers. It was bad enough before lockdown when friends and family came to visit especially on a Saturday. I strongly believe it should be left as it is! Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 6 Object Not only will I see the parking spaces along my road have an extension to the scheme hours, but I will also be forced to pay more than double for visitors permits and a second vehicle pass for me to park on my own street. When you consider the road tax, fuel tax, council tax and other taxes imposed upon me and my family - this is a step too far and one which will mean I have to reconsider my voting approach moving forward. The result of these changes will undoubtedly lead to many more houses on my road converting their front gardens into driveways, damaging the value of houses and the asthmatics of my dwelling (not to mention the environmental impact) and in addition it concerns me that I will not have any control over future price rises and further fees. I would like to formally lodge a complaint against these changes and in doing so strongly oppose the planned changes to the Zone E2 Windermere Avenue Residents Parking Zone. -I would like to formally oppose the price rises for additional residents passes (why not give two for free). -I opposed the increased cost of visitor passes which is due to double in price. -I strongly opposed the change to 7 day restriction. I strongly opposed to the increase in hours of the scheme. I would prefer to see softening of restricted parking more inline with other Hillingdon schemes which sees small time slots of restrictions on a weekday only basis. A suggestion would be from midday to 14:00hrs and/or 10:00hrs till midday. This will prevent non resident parking and will still enable me to park my own vehicle and have visitors to my property. I would also like to see additional complementary visitors passes and a second free car pass introduced form residents. When you consider the volume of cars parking outside my house and on my and adjoining streets for their school run - I would suggest you seek to monetise these drivers instead of squeezing residents to park on their own road. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 6 Comment We wish to say we agress to the extension of the operating times. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 6 Object I cannot see the reasoning behind this, I feel that the current arrangements are enough. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 6 Windermere Avenue Windermere Avenue Windermere Avenue Windermere Avenue Windermere Avenue Windermere Avenue Support However, will this be enforced until 10pm? That is my only concern. How do we know this will remain restrictive between 5pm and 10pm? Do you intend to have a warden check during these times, all year around? Officer's response: The Council's parking enforcement contractors APCOA work until 10pm. Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object I consider that the current parking restrictions Mon-Sat 9am-5pm are adequate, and do not need to be extended to 7 days 9am-10pm. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object I find the present times excessive and now you are proposing to change them to everyday Monday to Sunday 9am to 10pm. I do believe that a period of just 2 hours per day Monday to Friday i.e. 8am-10am or any 2 hour period throughout the day would be more than adequate. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object We prefer to retain the status quo. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Support Extend the hours where only residents or our visitors with visitor badges can park on the road. It currently gets very congested and difficult to park near our home. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Comment While I have no issue with keeping the current scheme or changing to the proposed scheme in relation to the days of the week and times concerned, I do have an objection as to how the additional permits has changed. Firstly I object in the way this has been communicated, you will be fully aware that this will be unpopular and in my opinion are trying to introduce this by stealth, indeed I have spoken to neighbours and they have expressed surprise having read but not taken in the detail. 1st car free 2nd car currently £65 changing to £100-53.8% rise 3rd car currently £65 changing to £120-84.6% rise 4th car currently £65 changing to £150-130.7% rise. How can these rises be justified, the increase is nothing short of extortion. While I understand we must all try to decrease our carbon footprint, targeting those who have more than one car in their household is not the way. I will use myself as the example, I have been a resident in my current address since 1992, during that time the residents parking scheme was introduced, we had two vehicles, one company car and one car of our own, we have had two children who have lived and attended school in the borough. They have both left home attended university and returned home as do many young people in the borough given the cost of housing. They both have cars and use them for work given the public transport method of attending work would be around 3.5 hours round trip. We therefore find ourselves in a four car family. The current road fund licence for the three cars we pay for totals £275.00 for year. While via your correspondence you intend to increase parking costs to £370.00 per year! This is totally unacceptable, I understand I have choices, these being paving over the garden we have at the front of our house, increasing surface run off, removing the tree and plants that benefit our environment or parking our cars outside our neighbours houses as 20 metres passed our house the parking zone ends, I’m sure my neighbours further along the road will be pleased. I therefore request that this be revisited as surely anyone can see that this is unacceptable. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Support I have no objection with the parking restrictions being enforced, I do however have an objection with the proposed increase in permit cost for additional vehicles. Why are the prices of these going up? We have already had an increase in our Council Tax and the increase in fees for an additional vehicle would be further expense to hit the residents on Woodlands Avenue. I would urge the Council to freeze the existing fee's and not raise them to support residents of Woodlands Avenue. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object I believe concerns are from households towards the top of Woodlands Avenue because of new apartments built opposite Woodlands (Luna) and on the corner of Field End Road/Sunningdale Avenue (Malt) where limited parking is provided (or a premium needs to be paid for a parking space) and the concern is whether the residents there will start parking on Woodlands Avenue outside of the current controlled hours. If there is an extension in hours, I'm not sure it needs to be extended on Sunday. Having that one day on the weekend is really important to us and in my view should not be changed as it provides flexibility where my family can have multiple guests over etc. and not have to worry about permits, moving your own car from driveway etc. It would also be good if more visitor vouchers are provided for free. even with the current 10 free ones - rather than apply they should just be given to each household every year automatically. Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object I believe you should keep it to the present times of 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object It really has worried me what effect it would have on us and our neighbours. A lot of our neighbours are elderly and rely on family, friends and carers to help them and with the new parking proposal it will impact them with not only making sure they have enough parking vouchers but financial as well. A lot of them will be against the proposal but will not have there feelings heard as they do not use internet or spend time phoning. As for ourselves, we understand the reason for parking restrictions that were set after consultation in 2001 to stop people from parking all day and using the train station. But as to make it 7 days a week till 10pm, this will serve no purpose and you have not given a reason why these new proposals are needed. It will not help or look after your residents in a residential family orientated road. Many of us have family, friends visiting at the weekend. Some may just drop in for half hour and will need a permit as a cost of £1, so if you have 5 visitors that is £5 a weekend. If you have a gathering for a BBQ or party the extra cost would be substantial, as a resident for over 30 years I'm so disappointed and disillusioned with the Council. We have all suffered greatly in the last year with covid that's financially as well, what has kept us all going is when we can see our family and friends. But if this proposal goes through that will have to be limited again because of the financial impact. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object Whilst I understand the need for some change, due to new builds etc in the locality, I find this proposal Draconian and totally unnecessary. Zone E2 seems to be the only Zone, certainly in Eastcote with this strange proposal, why ?. The other Zones are all 9-5 Mon-Sat. I like my neighbours, Post Lockdown will have guests, visitors, BBQ's on a regular basis and I have an extended family who will visit regularly. With these restrictions I anticipate I will need 200+ Visitors Permits per annum, which is not fair or realistic. I implore you to reconsider these proposals. To prevent people parking and leaving cars all day, all you need to do is impose a 2 hour restriction daily. The majority of houses at the top (North End) of Woodlands Avenue, have driveways. I and numerous others do not, and cannot afford to have one built with dropped kerb payments to boot. I do not exaggerate when I say I and others will need in excess of 200 Visitors Permits per year, probably nearer 300, this is based on FIVE guests with cars per WEEK, not to mention the occasional party or BBQ, which will require more. I and my wife are OAP's and cannot afford this additional cost of some £240 per annum on top of a rise in Council Rates. The latter I understand and can cope with, the former I find draconian, unfair (compared to other Zones) and unjustifiable! Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object It has been a really tough year both financially and emotionally and once lockdown is over we hope to finally have people visiting is and we will not be able to afford to pay for a visitor pass each time someone comes to visit. You propose extending the operating times and then optop of them increasing the cost of additional permits and visitors passes and I don't see how this can benefit any household who has any family or friends. I would be looking at paying well over £250 more a year with the minimum amount of visitors and I feel this is extortionate. Please stick to the operating times we currently have and if anything look to reduce the hours on Saturday to 9am-2pm. If you do still decide to go ahead with new operating times regardless of how residents feel then please look to reduce the cost of the passes so the residents can continue to enjoy seeing their family and still enjoy living in Hillingdon. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Support Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Support Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Support I would like to say a BIG thank you for the new parking restrictions on our road. I hope they carry on after the end of March. We have found it working as planned. Now when I come home from work there is almost enough parking for all the residents to use the bays. We still have a few people using visitor voucher tickets over night, but hopefully the price increases will deter this. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Support We very much welcome the changes proposed and wholeheartedly support the Council in this matter. This is very long overdue and is now particularly relevant due to the office to residential conversions which are and have taken place nearby in Field End Road. What I would say is that I trust that when the Council considers the changes following this latest consultation period that they will take the majority of the residents' views into consideration. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 8 Object I believe they are too stringent and it would shift the parking problem to nearby streets and neighbourhoods. I believe there are other solutions that could resolve the parking problem such as having restrictions for a couple of hours a day. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 4 Woodlands Avenue Object I am writing on behalf of myself, my husband, my mother and father who are residents of Windermere Avenue and my mother and father-in-law who are residents of Sunningdale Avenue. I am shocked, confused and extremely unhappy with the irrational suggestion that Woodlands Avenue and surrounding roads be restricted to permit holders only between the hours of 9am to 10pm. I cannot imagine who has suggested/would be happy with such draconian and unnecessary restrictions. Woodlands Avenue residents comprises largely family and elderly people who need flexibility to allow friends, family and carers etc to visit and park freely. Having these restrictions all day risks isolating and making life exceptionally difficult for friends and family finally getting the opportunity to resume normal familial contact and the support networks which are so vital. Given that we are finally emerging from the year long restrictions and three lockdowns imposed during the pandemic, I find it unfathomably cruel that at a time when friendships and family groups can finally begin to resume more normal cosial contact, the Council is seeking to further isolate vulnerable people who need social, emotional and practical support after a very difficult time. The Council is keen to be viewed as a caring and responsible organisation with the social, emotional and mental health of the borough's residents at the forefront of any planning decisions but the suggested parking restrictions will make maintaining healthy social and emotional relationships almost impossible due to the length of time the restrictions are proposed to be in place and especially covering evenings and weekends. Having canvassed opinions, it seems most residents were in favour of a couple of hours at strategic points during the day to prevent commuters parking in residents spaces all day and over weekends. why then have these ridiculously extended hours been proposed? How will families needing to visit friends and relatives be able to do so. Also, how will parents of children attending Newnham School be accommodated? Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 4 Object I have seen a letter sent to my mother-in-law's house in Sunningdale Avenue which states you have undertaken an informal consultation with residents on extending the operational hours of the parking scheme to late evening. If you are serious about this I urge you to beware of informal consultations because those who are happy with the status quo tend not to respond, and the results are therefore biased towards the malcontents. Moreover I believe the malcontents tend to be those who think the space outside their house should always be available for them to park. Such people often think if 'their space' is unavailable it must be occupied by a non-resident, but in the evening period to which you want to extend your parking restrictions, and on Sundays, it is more than likely to be a second car of an existing resident. After all who would particularly want to park there in the evening or on Sundays, other than residents or visitors to residents. In short most of those supporting the proposed change are likely to be disappointed by the outcome and could still find 'their space' occupied. Certainly when I visit and find the space outside my mother in law's house occupied, it is nearly always by the recognised (second) cars of nearby residents. As someone who often visits my mother in law's house in the evening and on Sundays, I would consider it quite unreasonable to be charged £1 every time. And since I have never found it difficult to park in Sunningdale Avenue I fail to see any case for extended restrictions. I can't think of any other residential side road that has such restrictions late into the evenings and on Sundays, and charges visitors more for parking than in the borough car parks at peak daytimes. Surely the Council should accept that visitors to lonely residents are just worthy of consideration as residents who think 'their space' will be guaranteed by the proposed changes. Officer's response: Considered as part of this report see paragraph 4 Responses received from residents outside of 'Zone E2' Sharps Lane Woodlands Avenue Woodlands Avenue Flowers Avenue
View Decision / Minutes Text
Cabinet Member Decision Notice – 20 May 2021 OFFICIAL DECISION NOTICE PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES ON 20 MAY 2021 The Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport has made the following decision today: 1. THE CABINET MEMBER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSPORT EASTCOTE PARKING MANAGEMENT SCHEME ‘ZONE E2’ - OUTCOME OF STATUTORY CONSULTATION ON A PROPOSED EXTENSION TO THE OPERATING TIMES OF THE SCHEME DECISION: That the Cabinet Member: 1. Noted the responses received to the formal consultation on proposals for an extension to the operational times of the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’. 2. Instruct ed officers to take no further action in extending the operational times of t he Eastcote Parking Management Scheme ‘Zone E2’ at the present time, due to the apparent lack of support. REASONS FOR THE DECISIONS MADE The recommendations reflect the responses received to the consultation with residents ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND REJECTED The consultation offered residents the option of no changes to the current parking arrangements in their road. FURTHER INFORMATION The detailed report relating to this decision is available to view here. Perry Scott, Director of Infrastructure, Procurement, Business Improvement, Communications, Waste Services and ICT Aileen Campbell, Residents Services DECISION AUTHORITY & IMPLEMENTATION Where required, these decisions have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. These decisions, unless called in, will come into effect from 5pm on Thursday 27 May 2021. Cabinet Member Decision Notice – 20 May 2021 This is the formal notice by the Council of the above decisions. If you would like more information on any of the decisions, please contact Democratic Services on 01895 250636. The right hand column indicates the name of the officer(s) responsible for impl ementing / following up the decision in each case. Circulation of this decisions sheet is to a variety of people including Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group Secretariats and the Public.