Parking Archives

Parking in Marston: Archive Minutes, Reports and Campaigns

Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs)

February 2008

The residents parking scheme has been put on hold for the time being. The Cherwell Road shops and parts of Marsh Lane will get a parking scheme. The County Council are consulting with the business in the area for their views (see letter below). County Councillor Altaf-Khan is meeting with transport officers to find out more about the scheme and is hoping some of them will come to one of our meetings soon - will let you know as soon as we know. Residents of Ashlong Road have expressed their concern that their area will be used as a car park when the scheme is introduced. The Parish Council will pass on any concerns and issues to the County Council - please let us know what they are.

Letter: PROPOSED CHANGES TO PARKING OUTSIDE CHERWELL DRIVE SHOPS

The County Council is responding to requests from a number of the businesses located on the Cherwell Drive Service Road (between Copse Lane and Marsh Lane) to introduce parking controls for the benefit of their customers. The purpose of this letter, which is being sent to each business and each flat above, is to seek your comments on the ideas set out below.

We are suggesting that parking on the north-east side (next to the businesses) should be limited to a maximum of 1-hour between 8am and 6.30 pm Monday to Saturday – this is the same restriction as Old Marston Road shops. However you might think that the maximum stay should be 2 hours or that the restriction should not apply on Saturdays.

On the opposite side we are suggesting that parking is limited to a maximum of 3 hours between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday – this is the same restriction as the top of Marston Road at the side of the filling station. However you might think that the maximum stay should be 2 hours or that the restriction should also apply on Saturdays.

At present, apart from short lengths of yellow line at each end of the service road the only formal control is a disabled parking bay where parking is restricted to 3-hours maximum stay. We are suggesting that this bay be removed as disabled blue badges holders will be able to park in any limited waiting bay without time limit. We would also introduce short lengths of double yellow lines where there are dropped kerbs to help those with mobility difficulties.

There is no proposal to introduce restrictions during evenings or on Sundays.

Attached you will find a short questionnaire which will enable us to gauge the strength of feeling about these options. You may have other alternatives to suggest which could be considered, and there is space for these to be noted.

We are keen to find a solution which if possible meets the wishes of all local businesses and residents. To achieve this we want to seek your views prior to making a definite proposal which will then be subject to formal advertisement and consultation, with any unresolved objections being reported to the Council’s Transport Decisions Committee.

October 2007

The Chairman and Clerk recently met with Oxfordshire County Council with regards to the introduction of Controlled Parking Zones in Old Marston. There was a public meeting 16th October which gave local residents to express their views - you can see a summary of the meeting here and a briefing for the meeting here.

There will be a wider consultation period during 2008 involving County Council and the contractors involved in the implementation. Any information will be placed in this website as soon as we receive it. We expect the scheme to implemented towards the end of 2008. If you would like more information please feel free to contact the clerk or chairman or the County Council.

Charges

First Parking Space: £40

Second Parking Space: £40

Third Parking Space: £80

Fourth Parking Space: £120

Further Links

Consultation in Headington, Northway and South Marston

Paying for Parking Permit s

Who to contact about parking permits in Oxfordshire

Parking Problems in 1980s - picture gallery

Letter from Highways Authority on CPZs

Controlled Parking Zones

Feasibility Work: Autumn 2007

Why CPZs?

• Part of transport strategy

– Addressing Local Transport Plan Objectives by:

• Restricting commuter parking and thereby tackling congestion

• Also helping to improve air quality, make roads safer and improve the street environment.

How does a CPZ work?

• Parking allowed only in designated bays – other road space controlled by yellow line restrictions.

• Signs indicate restriction times (usually 24-hr or Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm).

• Permits required to park in most bays. No restrictions for blue badges.

• Some time-limited bays for non-permit holders.

• Permits available from OCC Parking Shop, in person or by post: £40 per vehicle per annum for first 2 vehicles per household; 25 visitor permits per 6 months for anyone aged 17+ (1st 6 months free, 2nd 6 months £15 or free for over-70s).

Benefits for Residents

• Stops commuters occupying residential spaces during the day.

• Creates more space for visitors during the day.

• Helps improve conditions for pedestrians.

• Reduces car traffic in the zone.

• Makes it easier for emergency services and delivery/collection vehicles to access properties.

Why We Are considering a CPZ for This Area?

• Pressure for commuter parking - from existing and planned employment in the area: e.g. expansion at the JR Hospital.

• Near to a main route into the city for car commuters (for some roads)

• Next to existing CPZs: likely overspill.

• Potential pressure from planned residential development in the area.

• Other existing problems for residents e.g. from school or local business parking.

Feasibility work

• Investigating the priority and timescale for development of potential CPZs.

• Reviewing issues to be addressed in developing each zone, including confirmation of zone boundaries.

Outputs:

1. Confirmation of zone boundaries.

2. Identification of specific issues to be addressed in each zone.

3. Costed/prioritised programme of CPZs to develop.

Survey Work

In early October we will be making detailed surveys of the proposed zones including:

• Physical constraints to establish available parking.

• Residential demand – very early morning parking – 4am to 6am

• Day-time/commuter parking.

Physical Constraints

• Bus routes and stops

• Carriageway and footway width

• Road space available

• Cycle routes and possible cycle parking

• Fire hydrants

• Dropped kerb accesses

• Pedestrian crossing points

• Junction sight lines

Other Factors to Consider

• Views of stakeholders - consultation

• Planned and possible future development – employment and residential

• Any existing Traffic Regulation Orders

• Impact of adjacent CPZs

• Road safety and accident data

• Businesses, schools, places of worship, etc. in the area

• Problems for pedestrians

Consultation Process

• Meetings with local county councillors (September)

• Meetings with councillors and local residents’ representatives (September/October)

• Local residents input their views and local information (October/November)

• Council feeds back feasibility findings and decisions to local councillors and residents’ representatives (January/February 08)

Outside the Scope of This Project:

• The CPZs are part of a programme of Local Transport Plan measures for Oxford. However, within the feasibility project for these areas we are not considering:

– Changes in traffic management

– Road closures

– Speed limits

– Traffic calming

– Home zones

– Maintenance issues

– Changes to permit charging

How Residents Can Help

• The council will be carrying out detailed surveys to establish parking demand and available space.

• However, if residents’ representatives would like to give us information to supplement our own surveys, on the type and use of parking in the area, we will consider it as part of the feasibility work.

Other Consultation during Feasibility Work

We will also consult:

• Police

• Fire and Rescue Service

• Oxford City Refuse and Recycling

• Public transport providers

• Major local employers, e.g. hospitals, universities

• School travel representatives Decision making process

• Feasibility report finalised January 2008.

• Decision on programme order of implementation and general scheme approach by Cabinet Member in January 2008.

• Outcome of feasibility study and decisions fed back to local councillors and residents’ representatives in January/February 2008.

Implementation of Any Proposed Cpzs Would Involve:

1. Detailed planning of bays, restrictions and signage.

2. Consultation on design with residents and other stakeholders.

3. Final, formal consultation on Traffic Regulation Orders with residents and stakeholders.

4. Decision on whether to implement, by council’s Transport Decisions Committee.

5. Signing and lining works.

6. Once CPZ in place, administration, enforcement (by Control Plus) and maintenance of signs and lines, funded from parking permit receipts.

7. Periodic reviews funded from permit receipts.

Summary

• We’re carrying out this consultation with resident’s association representatives to:

• Inform you of our work on reviewing CPZ feasibility.

• Get your input to the feasibility process.

• We would like comments and any information you may have, by end October, please.

Residents Parking - Meeting 16 October 2007 Briefing

Residents Parking is covered by Parliament legislation and, provided that the County Council abides by the rules there can be no successful appeal. It was tried in another ward but got nowhere.

The City CounciI's objective supported by the County Council is to free up City traffic to the benefit of the bus service, reducing commuting by car to the benefit of radial roads, and the reduction of pollution. It was stated that City roads are above the limits. The scheme is another part of the policy to have it City-wide. Any objection seeking to stop it in this area will not succeed.

The County Council has therefore embarked on the work to introduce it in this Parish plus Cherwell Drive shops. It is known that cars previously parked daily in areas now controlled are to be found in the Parish. The areas staged introduction of

a. Cherwell Drive shops

b. The area to the Cherwell Drive side of Oxford Road,

c. The Rippington and Arlington Drive estates and

d. The Conservation area from School Lane to the bypass.

Area a is the worst affected. Trade is suffering as a result where open parking will be permitted. The period for parking is the subject of consultation with the shopkeepers. 1, 2 or 3 hour periods are possible. That will make shopping easier.

The fear is that cars displaced will then seize on area b, and, if that is controlled, to area c.

The County therefore considers that areas b and c should have residents parking in common with most of the City. Residents with permits only, with familiar road markings. Permits will be £40 each for two cars per property and subject to space £80 for the third and £120 for the fourth. There will be 25 Visitors parking vouchers each which are free for six months, and extra books of 25 vouchers at 60p each. The control period is subject to negotiation: 9 - 5, 8 - 6.30 or 24 hours; for either the whole week, Monday - Saturday or Monday - Friday.

The County Council is willing to consider omitting area d. or applying an alternative scheme like the "Lakes" area where there are signs at the entrances to the estate indicating the period-of restriction without having dedicated parking areas.

L.M. Garner, Clerk

29 September 2007