Agenda item

(Councillor Mrs M J Overton MBE arrived in the meeting during this item)

The Committee received a report in connection with objections received to a proposal for a traffic regulation order to introduce waiting restrictions at Main Street, School Lane and Stonepit Lane, Marston.

The report gave details of the existing conditions, the proposals, objections and comments by officers on the objections received.

Councillor A P Maughan, the local Member, commented as follows:-

·         With regard to the School Lane element of the proposals the proposed no waiting restrictions on Stonepit Lane were fully supported by myself and the Parish Council.

·         An extension to the School Safety Zone (SSZ) was requested some years ago to alleviate traffic and parking issues on School Lane. The Parish Council believe this was the most appropriate way to resolve the parking issues on School Lane.

·         The existing SSZ, although advisory, was well observed by parents and local residents. An extension of this along School Lane was certain to be treated in the same way as the existing boundary, therefore nullifying concerns detailed in the report that the SSZ was not enforceable and potentially not effective.

·         An extension of the SSZ ensured the safety of parents, children and local residents during the busy periods of the school day but did not permanently restrict parking on what was a quiet side road of a small village. In contrast the proposed 24 hour no waiting restriction would reduce the ability of residents to park at any time on any day, which seemed to many, an overreaction to what was purely a school parking issue at specific times of the day.

·         I regularly drove through Marston on an evening on my way back home from various parish meetings and had recently made a point of driving along School Lane both early and late on in the evening. I had not seen any on-street parking on this road, which supported the Parish's view that the proposals were excessive.

·         There was also concern that by placing no waiting restrictions along the entire stretch of School Lane, where there were very few residential properties and a kerbed footpath, we would be moving parking to Barkston Road where there were more residential properties and entrances which could be affected.

·         My views on the proposals were similar to the Parish Council and I would prefer the no waiting restrictions along School Lane to be time restricted in line with the school day, rather than 24 hours.

Comments by the Committee included:-

·         Parking outside of schools raised concerns across the county. However, the officer's proposals were "heavy handed" and expensive to implement.

·    An enquiry was made about the impact of the officer's proposals on the Community Hub? Officers stated that the Community Hub was well used. Officers added that the SSZs were advisory and only applicable between 08:00-09:00 hours and 15.00-16:00 hours. Officers said that many members of the public were under the impression that SSZs were applicable 24/7, that they were reluctant to extend the current SSZ and that the use of the Community Hub would not be affected by the proposals.

·    The enforcement of traffic regulation orders was an issue due to limited resources.

On a motion by Councillor I G Fleetwood, seconded by Councillor N H Pepper, it was –

RESOLVED (5 votes for and 1 vote against)

That the objections be overruled and that the order as advertised, and detailed in the report, be introduced.