Issue - items at meetings - Thame: Central area proposed parking measures

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/143

Contact: Jim Whiting, Principal Officer – Parking

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 9).

To seek approval of proposed parking measures.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management AGREED to:

1) Approve the proposals as advertised proposals for changes to no waiting restrictions, taxi bays, street trader bays and trader permits.

2) Approve amendment of the proposals for permit holder bays as follows:

a. Park Street, Nelson Street and North Street (except outside the Library) – are introduced as permit holder only bays.

b. Current plans for permit holder bays or Pay and Display and permit holders are amended for High Street (plan 1), Upper High Street (including. outside the war memorial) – to be introduced as dual purpose bays – retaining the current 2-hour limit (non-permit holders) and including exemptions for permit holders.

3) Approve to put ON HOLD proposals for the introduction of Paid parking bays in central Thame to allow further work on linking plans with emerging transport and movement strategies. To be undertaken in discussion with the Town Council and be completed within a 6-month period.

4) Approve inclusion of properties No.80, 81, 81a and 83 in permit eligibility for the Thame central area.

In November 2021, the enforcement of on-street parking restrictions transferred from Thames Valley Police to Oxfordshire County Council. At launch, a number of local concerns were made about enforcement of historic restrictions which did not cater for the needs of local residents and businesses.

In response, officers committed with Councillors to undertake a review of the existing restrictions in the centre of Thame, alongside wider plans to introduce areas of paid parking to support the operation and funding of the civil enforcement operations.

The county council’s parking team have worked closely with local councillors and the town council to bring forward a package of proposals to rationalise existing restrictions and introduce new measures which will help increase the turnover of parking whilst giving options for residential parking.

The proposals subject to the public consultation include:

· Introduction of Pay and Display Bays on High Street, Cornmarket and Upper High Street to allow for more effective enforcement and encourage the turnover of parking spaces. 1st 30 mins in any 24-hour period would be free and the paid parking does not include the main car parks on High Street and Upper High Street which would remain free of charges.

· Introduction of permit holder only bays on Lower High Street, North Street, sections of Upper High Street and Park Street.

· Removal of waiting restrictions on North Street (west side) to allow informal parking arrangements to remain.

· New Street Trader bay in Upper High Street car park and extension of taxi bays on High Street

Cllr Gant invited speakers to address the meeting and responded to the points made in their statements.

Cllr Gant considered consultation responses as well as officers’ feedback on objections raised and concluded that the proposals would help facilitate walking and cycling and the safe movement of traffic.