Agenda Item 4.3 Regulatory and Other Committee Open Report on behalf of Richard Wills, Executive Director for Environment & Economy Report to: Planning & Regulation Committee Date: 16 February 2015 Subject: Nettleham Village Centre - Proposed Parking Restrictions Summary: The report details the objections and comments received in relation to proposed parking restrictions in Nettleham village centre. Recommendation(s): That, after considering the report and the objections received, the objections are overruled and the proposals are implemented as advertised and as shown on the plan attached at Appendix C to the report. Background 1.1 The issue of 'on street' parking in Nettleham village centre (Location Plan at Appendix A refers) and the problems associated with this action, such as the following: Movement of traffic around The Green (the centre of the village where shops, businesses and residential properties are all in close proximity to each other) Long term parking by people working in the area and also those catching buses into Lincoln Buses having difficulty passing through due to parked vehicles Safe movement of pedestrians when crossing the roads Obstruction of accesses and Parking close to junctions have been the subject of investigations by Nettleham Parish Council and Officers of the County Council. 1.2 The Parish Council, during late 2013 and early 2014, held a special public meeting; debated the issues at their council meetings and had surveys carried out in order to assess the nature of the problems. This led, following further discussions with county council officers, to the proposals shown on plan at Appendix B being drawn up. Page 31
1.3 Initial consultations were carried out, on these proposals, with residents and businesses in the vicinity of the proposals along with other bodies such as Police; Bus Companies; Road Haulage representatives and the local county councillor. This took place during March/April 2014. 1.4 These consultations generated a good response both in support and against the proposals. After further meetings between the Parish Council and County Council officers, to consider the responses, the proposals were amended slightly to take into account some of the concerns (plan at Appendix C refers). 1.5 The alterations were as follows: The proposals for Limited Waiting Monday to Saturday 8am 6pm have been changed from 1 hour duration to 2 hours. The layout on Church Street, in the vicinity of The Plough Public House and the access to the business units behind No. 1 has been altered the proposed section of limited waiting on the south side has been shortened and a section of 'no waiting at any time' has been included between the bus stop and the entry/exit to the business units behind No. 1 Church Street. The section of limited waiting on the north side at the side of the public house has been extended slightly. Consultations 2.1 The statutory consultations with the local Councillor, statutory bodies, road haulage representatives, West Lindsey District Council, road transport representatives, public transport providers and Nettleham Parish Council were carried out during October/November 2014. 2.2 The public advertisement period started on 13th November 2014, ending on the 11 th December 2014. 2.3 In addition locally affected residents and businesses were consulted. 2.4 Cllr Mrs J Brockway has not provided comments but has indicated her intension to speak at the committee meeting. 2.5 Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership have no objections or concerns regarding the proposals. 2.6 The Emergency Planning Officer and Ambulance Service have not made any comments. 2.7 West Lindsey District Council made no comments regarding the proposals. 2.8 Nettleham Parish Council are supportive of the proposals. 2.9 Stagecoach East Midlands have no objections to the proposals saying that they will improve the movement of their buses through the village centre. Page 32
2.10 No responses have been received from the Automobile Association, Road Haulage Association or the Freight Transport Association. 2.10 Local consultations with residents/businesses, and following the public advertising of the proposals, resulted in objections being received which are summarised below: 2.11 A resident of Church Street feels that the proposed extension of double yellow lines on Church Street (which currently end near the south eastern corner of the church) closer towards the village centre are not required and that by putting the new restrictions in speeds will increase around the corner in both directions. 2.12 Two residents of Cross Street expressed their agreement with the rationale for implementing the changes and that the balance between limited waiting and no parking is appropriate and well placed. However, they are concerned that parking in their short street will become even more difficult than it now is when these restrictions are implemented. Neither have garages and park their vehicles 'on street', increased parking will make access to the properties more difficult. One resident is a rapid response doctor, working for East Midlands Ambulance Service, and having immediate access to their vehicle is of high importance. They ask is consideration could be given to some form of residents only parking (with a maximum stay of 30 minutes for non-residents). This would allow for people carrying out short visits to the nearby library but prevent long stay parking. 2.13 Two objections, one from the owner and one from a hirer of the Scout building on Vicarage Lane, have been received. 2.14 The owner of the premises objects on the grounds that the proposed single yellow line on their side of the road will severely restrict the operation and use of their building. They feel it will also be more dangerous for children, parents and leaders because they cannot park outside the building. All users have materials and goods to load/unload from their vehicles at different times of the day. The most effected being the afternoon sessions for the youngest groups of Rainbows, Beavers and Brownies. Also, jumbles sales and other events are held on a Saturday. 2.14.1 They note that there is an area of unrestricted parking left on the opposite side of the road but do not feel that this offers a good alternative as parents and children would then have to cross the road. If they have large events they utilise the Co-op store car park. They are not aware of problems caused along this road by parked vehicles. 2.15 The owner of a first aid training business uses the Scout building 2 to 4 times a month to run courses (for 12 20 people) and parks close to the building. He has visual aid and testing equipment such as manikins, mats etc to load and unload at the start and end of the courses. As well as using his vehicle to store other material that he uses periodically during the courses. The delegates on the courses use the Co-op car park. If he has to park further away from the premises it will cause him difficulties and he would have to consider his continued use of the premises Page 33
causing a financial loss to the owners and to the local shops. He feels that the Vicarage Lane should remain unchanged. 2.16 The residents of a property on Vicarage Lane (postal address is The Green) have engaged a firm of solicitors to submit an objection on their behalf. A copy of their detailed letter and a plan indicating their suggested changes is attached at Appendix D. A selection of the photographs that they sent to accompany this letter will be shown at the meeting. This particular resident has been in regular correspondence both with the Parish Council, the local County Councillor and Council Officer's since the Parish Council held its public meeting regarding the parking issues in the village centre. 2.16.1 Their objections relate to the proposals being made that effect Vicarage Lane. Conclusion 3.1 The proposals were drawn up with the aim of balancing the parking needs of shoppers, residents and businesses with the safe movement of pedestrians and the passage of traffic (particularly buses) through the village centre area. In doing this it is accepted that some parking will be displaced slight further away from the centre and long term 'on street' parking will be significantly reduced. 3.2 Church Street is on the bus route through the village and is the main shopping street in the village centre so it has a high demand and turnover of parkers. The limited waiting will give a good turnover of parking whilst still allowing a two hour period for shopping and other activities. The extension to the existing double yellow lines at the west end of the road will assist in keeping the bend clear from parked vehicles and improve forward visibility. The nature and geometry of the bend near the church is not conducive to high speed and should not cause any increase in traffic speeds. 3.3 Any consideration of 'Resident's Parking' in relation to streets such as Cross Street will need to be led by the District Council if they feel it would be necessary. The concerns of the residents of Cross Street are understood but cannot be resolved, this type of situation could occur on any of the streets that adjoin the areas where the restrictions are being proposed. 3.4 In relation to the owners and users of the Scout building (No 5 Vicarage Lane) there seems to be two issues. Firstly, concerns that loading and unloading from parked vehicles will not be possible with the new proposals. That is not the case, this is allowed within the exemptions of double & single yellow line parking restrictions unless signs state otherwise. When this action is completed the vehicles could be parked on the nearby unrestricted section of 'on street' parking. Secondly, visitors to activities during the day (many involve young children being brought/collected by parents) will not be able to park close to the building. If they are just being dropped off or pick up without the car being left unattended then this can be done on the yellow lines provided that they do not cause any unnecessary obstruction. If they are taking part themselves then they would be required to park further afield were there are no restrictions. Page 34
3.5 The solicitor's letter, on behalf of a resident that lives on Vicarage Lane (next to The Green and opposite the Co-op store), objects to the proposals stating that they will have a 'seriously detrimental impact on the use and enjoyment of their home and access to their driveway'. They are supportive of the proposals in general for the village centre but are opposed to three detailed elements where it affects their property. 3.5.1 They feel that only having a Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm parking restriction on the east side of Vicarage Lane, will, because the opening hours of the Co-op store are 7am to 10pm each day (including Sundays), lead to parking on this side of the road at the junction with The Green impeding through flow of traffic and pedestrians at this junction. They suggest that either a section of the single yellow line is altered to double yellow lines or that a longer section has the operational hours extended to 7am to 10pm Mon to Sat to match the Co-op opening hours. This would force customers to use their car park, which the objector feels is under used. 3.5.2 They request that the section of 2 hour Ltd Waiting on the west side is changed to 'unlimited' and its length shortened because the limited waiting will generate a high turnover of vehicles parking for very short periods as it is very close to the entrance to the Co-op store. This activity with associated door banging, engines left running etc. causes severe disturbance to the residents (whose front room looks out onto this area only a few feet away). 3.5.3 They request that the double yellow lines proposed at the junction of the Green and Vicarage Lane be extended further into Vicarage Lane to improve access to their property and reduce issues of disturbance as referred to above. It would also help to improve access around this junction for all users. 3.5.4 The problems encountered by these residents in relation to access to their property could, with hindsight, have been reduced had a wider access gate been constructed (which has only recently been installed). Regrettably in a busy village centre location an element of traffic related disturbance is inevitable and whilst the residents' are concerned that this may have increased because of the recent increased opening hours of the local Co-op, this issue is outside the control of this Council. 3.6 It can be seen from the few objections/adverse responses generated that the proposed measures have been well received and should significantly improve traffic and pedestrian movements in the village centre area. Whilst the likelihood of displaced parking occurring is acknowledged, in view of the overall benefit of the proposals, it is recommend that the objections received are overruled and the measures, as shown on the plan attached at Appendix C, are implemented. Page 35
Consultation a) Policy Proofing Actions Required n/a Appendices These are listed below and attached at the back of the report Appendix A Location Plan Appendix B Plan showing the Initial Proposed Parking Restrictions Nettleham Village Centre Appendix C Plan showing Amended Proposed Parking Restrictions Nettleham Village Centre Appendix D Solicitors Objection Letter on behalf of a resident of The Green Background Papers No background papers within Section 100D of the Local Government Act 1972 were used in the preparation of this report. This report was written by Martin Hollingsworth, who can be contacted on 01522 782070 or martin.hollingsworth@lincolnshire.gov.uk. Page 36