New parking schemes could be tailored to residents' wishes
Tailored parking schemes are being progressed in Brighton & Hove, aimed at meeting specific residents’ demands.
The first scheme set to be installed is for the Fiveways area of Brighton, earmarked for spring 2016. Consultation indicates 74 per cent of locals support the idea. However the adjoining Surrenden area, lying within the Withdean and Patcham wards, is likely to be omitted as most householders there opposed it.
A new council report suggests a shortlist of other schemes to be set up elsewhere, tailored to meet specific residents’ demands in each area.
After Fiveways it recommends these should cover Hollingbury Road and Ditchling Gardens, plus the Hanover and Elm Grove areas.
Hollingbury Road residents have petitioned and lobbied the council on the need for a scheme to prevent vehicles being displaced from surrounding areas which already have controlled parking. A new proposed scheme could include Ditchling Gardens where residents report parking difficulties. If supported it could be installed soon after the Fiveways parking scheme.
Background work would also begin straight away on a scheme for Hanover and Elm Grove. Details of a council public consultation would be presented to an environment committee early next year for approval. The Local Action Team (LAT) had surveyed over 1000 residents and found they were two-to-one in favour in the core area of Hanover bounded by Albion Hill, Queens Park Road, Elm Grove and Lewes Road.
Residents north of Elm Grove are still generally against controlled parking according to the LAT. However it is felt they may favour a different type of scheme, tailored to their specific needs. The council stresses it is open to ideas.
The Craven Vale area surrounding Queensway and The Causeway would be surveyed at the same time as Hanover, due to what residents feel is a worsening parking situation there. Eighty four per cent of householders said in a recent community survey they wished to be consulted.
Work on a parking scheme consultation would begin in Preston Village from spring 2016. West Hove would follow later that year, after the Kingsway and West Hove Residents Association lobbied the council. In early 2017, Hove Park residents would be asked for their views. These areas would be dependent on residents coming forward with a deputation or petition to outline the area they want the council to consult on.
Committee chair councillor Gill Mitchell said: “As always, we are responding to residents’ requests for action. With such pressure on road space, residents are asking us for schemes to deter commuter or visitor parking. We will always consult and only introduce schemes where most residents want them.”
Decisions on Fiveways and the priority list will be made by the environment, transport and sustainability committee on October 13.