Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Transport (TDC7)

This report outlines the statutory consultation process on the Draft Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for the proposed Divinity Road Area Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). It provides information on the policy context, development of the process to date, an outline of the consultations carried out, specific issues that have been raised by the consultees and recommendations in light of responses received. Its content and recommendations are closely related to agenda item?? which contains a report on the consultation process for the proposed Magdalen Road Area Controlled Parking Zone.  Consultation on the zones was carried out simultaneously.

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)               approve the principle of a CPZ in the Magdalen Road Area on the basis of the current proposals, with the exception of removing the Iffley Fields area from the zone; and

(b)              authorise officers to advertise a new Traffic Regulation Order for the zone, excluding the Iffley Fields area and incorporating minor changes arising from responses to the formal consultation.

The Committee considered (TDC7) proposals to introduce a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in the Magdalen Road Area.

Nicholas Lawrence urged the Committee not to exclude Iffley Fields from the Magdalen Road CPZ feeling that the CPZ would be of benefit to the area by improving enforcement of footway parking and ensuring free and safe passage for emergency vehicles.

Clive Cowen stressed the importance of evening and weekend parking for the Samaritan organisation and asked the Committee to reconsider early evening restrictions or if that was not possible to consider the Samaritans as an exceptional case.

Louise Locock supported removal of Iffley Fields from the CPZ.

Rachel Humphreys supported removal of Iffley Fields from the proposed CPZ.  30% of parking space had been lost and residents could not afford to lose any more.

Sarah Wild opposed the proposals and echoed comments regarding the loss of 30% of parking space.  There was a need to retain the community and resist visitor parking permit limits which would seriously affect families with young children, the elderly and people working from home.  There was a need for more daytime parking.

Pete Crampton congratulated the Committee on the revised proposals for Iffley Fields.  There was a huge amount of opposition in Iffley Fields to the proposals which on a personal note would seriously affect his ability to work from home. He endorsed all the points raised by the previous 3 speakers.

Gaby Hook referred to the direct threat to businesses in Iffley Fields due to clients being unable to park.  She could not afford to use the allocation of 50 permits for that purpose and supported the recommendation to exclude Iffley Fields.

Mark Mason asked for more flexibility in the proposals suggesting shared spaces as a way forward.  Currently cars cruised the area looking for spaces and drivers left their cars for a long time.  Students made a huge difference to the situation during term time.  He asked the Committee to amend the proposals or reject them.

Dennis Pratley suggested that anyone with local knowledge of the area would never have recommended this as a solution.  Significant over development in the area had brought its own problems but the proposals before the Committee represented a real threat to local businesses and he urged the Committee to reject the scheme.

Barry Allday also referred to the threat to local businesses whose needs he felt had not been adequately considered. No parking meant no customers and an uncertain future.  He asked why Magdalen Road could not be excluded in the same way as Iffley Fields and suggested that it was the presence of  students not commuters that created problems.

Corrine Grimley-Evans objected to certain aspects of the scheme and asked that the Committee defer the proposals.  It was unjust that pedestrians had to forfeit pavement space to cars and this represented a huge concern to the elderly and infirm.  Legitimising pavement parking here would result in the spread of similar practices throughout the City.  There should be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21