Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/073

Contact: Jim Daughton, Highways & Transport Manger Tel: (01865) 323364

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy - Commercial & Delivery (CMDE4).

Agreed

Deferred until 12 June to review parking in the evening and early morning.

The Cabinet Member considered responses to a formal consultation on proposals to make minor amendments to existing controlled parking zones in Divinity Road and Magdalen Road (North) areas.

Ahmed Qazi speaking on behalf of the Medina Mosque referred to considerable problems which were being experienced not only by attendees at the mosque but also by visitors to the area including local businesses. Many prayer sessions fell within the restricted parking times and Ramadan would present particular difficulties.  They sought a relaxation of the restriction times on Stanley Road particularly during the day to allow parking for 2 to 3 hours and, as most houses on Stanley Road had off street parking with available space, felt this could be achieved without detriment to the local community. The mosque was committed to working with the local community to seek a compromise.

Mr Tole advised that the proposals for Divinity Road had been largely welcomed.  However, there continued to be problems in the Magdalen Road area particularly Stanley Road at the Iffley Road end where there was more of a mixed use. Efforts had been made to find a solution to help visitors to the mosque who had more choice during the day as opposed to night, when the greatest problems seemed to occur.  A series of meetings had been held to try and reach a compromise with views sought on a range of options aimed at avoiding an over complication of the local situation.  However, there had been a significant division between views received to an informal consultation with some 73% of local residents against any relaxation and it seemed unlikely that that would change if a formal consultation was carried out.

The Cabinet Member recognised the depth of feeling amongst the community and the impasse that currently existed. Having regard to that, the arguments and options set out in the documentation before him, the representations made to him and the further considerations set out above he confirmed his decision as follows:

(a)               approve the proposed changes to parking restrictions for the Divinity Road CPZ as advertised and amended as described in the report CMDE4;

(b)               defer a decision on the proposed parking restrictions for the Magdalen Road (North) CPZ as described in the report CMDE4 until 12 June to review parking arrangements in the evening and early morning.

Signed……………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………..