TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT – RESIDENTS PARKING  – CRESCENT ROAD - MARGATE

To:                               Thanet  Joint Transportation Board – 23rd November 2011

By:                               Civil Enforcement Manager

Classification:              Unrestricted

Ward:                           Westbrook        Division:        Margate

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Summary:                   To report upon a request from residents for the provision of Crescent Road for a ‘residents parking scheme’ within a short section of road.

For Recommendation

1.0 Introduction and Background

1.1 During September 2011 22 letters were presented by the residents of Crescent Road Margate to the Parking Office in support of a request to introduce a ‘residents’ parking zone for this section of road.

1.2 Crescent Road is a residential side road located off the Canterbury Road and to the western side of the main beach and near to a collection of local shops in Westbrook. Crescent Road is a no through road with a mixture of terraced houses and flats unauthorised parking is located on both sides of the road.  There are no current restrictions in any of the nearby side roads (See annex 1).

2.0       The Current Situation

2.0 There is competition for the available kerb side space and the residents are concerned that they are being displaced by long term parking albeit by visitors during the summer months.  Private ‘off street’ parking is limited and unauthorised parking ‘on street’ is currently available on both sides of the road with double yellow line corner protection at the junction of Canterbury Road for a distance of 10 metres.    

2.1 Residents’ parking schemes in Thanet are based upon shared parking arrangements all in accordance with the guidelines set by the Kent County Council (KCC) as Highway Authority.

2.2 Based on previous experience, residents’ parking schemes now incorporate ‘pay and display’ controls to underwrite the costs of administering the scheme and to encourage a turnover of space.

2.3 Time limited parking bays are introduced and are available for all motorists to use, not just the residents. Highways are also routes to which all have access and therefore are not restricted to residents only. However, residents who display a permit on the windscreen of the vehicle may park for longer than the authorised limit once they have secured a space. There is no dispensation for visitors or relations who would also be required to display a daily permit if they wish to park for longer than the limit. These schemes normally operate 8am to 6pm Mondays to Saturdays, including bank holidays, with no Sunday or evening restrictions and any disabled drivers vehicles properly displaying a blue badge will be permitted to park without the need for a resident’s permit. In most situations it would be preferable to create a zone embracing a number of streets to improve the chances of finding an available space.  Permits are initially restricted to 1 per property.

2.4 If Members support an application Officers undertake an informal consultation. A factual leaflet is distributed to all households giving residents the opportunity to complete and return a reply slip. Officers then assess the data and report to Members. If Members subsequently recommend that a scheme be introduced the Council must formally publicise its Notice of Intent for public comment/objection to comply with current legislation.          

2.5 At the present time there are 26 properties in Crescent Road 15 properties (houses/flats) are registered with 29 residents over 18.  Assuming 1 permit per household, there could be a future potential demand for 29 permits.  

2.6 ‘On street’ parking is currently un-restricted with approximately 24 spaces.  Given the above, Members will note that there would be an imbalance between existing supply and potential demand. There would be a shortfall of spaces. A specific residents’ scheme comprising Crescent Road only would be sub-standard.

3.0 Options

3.1 1 – Take no further action. A residents’ scheme, applicable to householders living within the Crescent Road area only, would be sub-standard. The number of eligible permit holders would exceed the number of ‘on street’ spaces available. Shared residents parking schemes are not considered suitable in isolated short sections and zoning is more appropriate.  A project for Crescent Road would not meet this requirement.

3.2 2 – Undertake an informal consultation.  Establish if the residents living within Crescent Road would support a proposal to introduce a residents’ scheme with time limited or ‘pay and display’ parking to which permit holders would be exempt.

4.0 Corporate Implications

4.1 Financial

4.1.1    Parking and waiting restrictions are funded, managed and enforced by the Thanet District Council using the ‘decriminalisation budget’.

4.2       Legal

4.2.1    There are no legal implications.

4.3       Corporate

4.3.1    There are no corporate implications.   

4.4       Equity and Equalities

4.4.1    There are no equity and legal issues.

5.0       Recommendation

5.1 Members are requested to recommend option 1 – A residents’ scheme, applicable to householders living within the Crescent Road area only, would be sub-standard. The number of eligible permit holders would exceed the number of ‘on street’ spaces available. Shared residents parking schemes are not considered suitable in isolated short sections and zoning is more appropriate.  A project for Crescent Road would not meet this requirement.

6.0       Decision Making Process

6.1       The recommendation of the Board will be placed before the Portfolio Holder decision under the decision making process.

Conta    Contact Officer:	Robin  Robin Chantrill-Smith (Civil Enforcement Manager) 01843 577472
Repor    Reporting to:	Mark   Mark  Richardson (Enforcement Services Manager)01843 577606

Annex

Annex 1

Location map

Background Papers

A copy of the residents’ letters will be available for inspection in the Members Lounge before the meeting.