Return to Agenda

Division(s): West Central Oxford

ITEM TIC7

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 22 DECEMBER 2005

OXFORD, SHORT TERM PARKING

Report by Head of Transport

Introduction

  1. This report details the results of a public consultation carried out on proposed short term parking measures in Cornmarket Street, Market Street and St. Thomas Street, Oxford.

    2. Background

  2. The construction of Cornmarket Street included reinforcing the footway for a width of 1.5 metres to provide for vehicles undertaking deliveries. Property owners were made aware of this and asked to notify their supplies accordingly. Observations have shown that many delivery vehicles park beyond the 1.5 metre area and it has been necessary to advertise a change to the Traffic Regulation Order to enable enforcement action to be taken against those drivers encroaching on the un-reinforced footway area.

  3. The Market Street goods vehicles parking bay is proposed to be modified. The modification is to allow private vehicles to use the goods vehicles bay by the use of a permit system, this will accommodate those market traders who use private vehicles and not goods vehicles to load/unload. This will replace the current informal permit scheme that has existed for some time and enable effective and legal enforcement of the Market Street bay. The current use by goods vehicles will be retained. On 14 April 2005 the Transport Implementation Committee resolved to re-advertise after objections by the Covered Market Traders Association to the original proposal allowing any private vehicle to use the bays.

  4. In St Thomas Street, four one-hour short term parking spaces are proposed that have exemption for residents with a valid permit. Again on 14 April 2005 the Transport Implementation Committee resolved to promote the short term parking bay with exemption to residents, after the original proposal of short term parking only was rejected by the St Thomas Street residents.

    5. Consultation

  5. A public consultation was held over a four-week period between 3 and 28 October 2005. Letters were sent to residents and businesses within the immediate vicinity of each proposed short term parking place outlining the proposal. In addition letters were sent to County and City Councillors, cycle and pedestrian groups, emergency services and other interested parties.

  6. Nine letters of comment were received. Copies of responses are available in the Members’ Resource Centre. Some of the responses received make general comment on all the proposals while some are location specific. Comments received are shown at Annex 1 (download as .doc file), Annex 2 (download as .doc file) and Annex 3 (download as .doc file) along with officer comments.

    7. Officer Comment

  7. Cornmarket Street – Three letters have been received. One in support, one objecting, and one neither supporting or objecting to the proposal. The concern expressed by the objector was one of formalising the pavement space to be used by motor vehicles. However, the design of the new street layout expressly allowed for this for the following reasons. The street can be accessed by delivery vehicles between the hours of 6pm and 10am. There is no raised kerb to prevent vehicles driving onto the pavement. The carriageway width was narrowed as part of this redesigned layout so the structural design of the paving took into account, that in some areas of the street, vehicles would need to encroach onto the footway to allow other vehicles to pass. Metal studs and signage denotes areas where vehicles are permitted to park, allows for more effective enforcement and ensures safety to pedestrians. Therefore, I consider that the proposal should be implemented.

  8. Market Street – Two letters of site-specific comments have been received both in support. I consider that the proposal should be implemented.

  9. St. Thomas Street – Five letters of site-specific comments have been received. Four in support and one from the local County Councillor objecting to the proposal due to concerns that the additional spaces would generate additional traffic to the area. However, these spaces are being provided to cater for existing use. The four letters of support are all from local residents. I consider that the proposal should be implemented.

    10. Financial and Staff Implications

  10. The scheme budget is estimated at £5,000 and this will be funded from the 2005/06 Capital Programme. The work can be accommodated within existing staff resources.

    11. RECOMMENDATION

  11. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve implementation of short term parking measures in:

          1. Cornmarket Street;

          2. Market Street; and

          3. St Thomas Street

STEVE HOWELL
HEAD OF TRANSPORT

Background papers: Copies of consultation responses are available in the Members’ Resource Centre.

Contact Officers: Andrew Vidovic Tel: Oxford 810437

December 2005

Return to TOP