Agenda item

Andy Butler, Senior Traffic Engineer, reported on the outcome of resident consultations on the proposed Rotherham Hospital Residents Parking Zone following complaints received regarding parking difficulties experienced by residents living on Queensway and adjacent roads surrounding the Hospital.

Residents on the Duke of Norfolk estate and in the Broom Valley area had been written to seeking their views on a potential scheme that would create Residents Only Parking Zones (see Drawing No. 126/18/TT234 attached to the report).  In total, 1,059 letters and questionnaires were sent out to residents.

The proposed operation hours and terms and conditions would be the same as other Residents Parking Zone around the Town Centre i.e. Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and the ability to purchase up to 2 permits to be displayed in vehicles parked on street during the operational hours.

531 responses had been received from Broom Valley and Duke of Norfolk estate residents together with a 33 signature petition from Rencliffe Road objecting the proposal.  A sample of the comments received were set out in the report submitted.

The responses indicated:-

Duke of Norfolk estate (including Sitwell Grove and Sitwell Drive)

-          331 responses received – 62% return rate

-          Overall only 41% were supportive of the proposal so an area-wide Parking Zone could not be justified

-          5 roads where 50% or more supportive responses with 2 roads (Queensway (78%) and Sitwell Drive (64%)) significantly higher support

-          Lymister Avenue, Norfolk Way and Sitwell Grove had 50% or more responses in support

It was, therefore, proposed to create a smaller residents’ parking zone based on the boundaries of Queensway and Norfolk Way with Moorgate Road and include part of Hallam Road (Drawing No. 126/18/TT505).  There would be further consultation during the Statutory Consultation process.  A separate Residents Parking Zone would be created on Sitwell Drive.

Lymister Avenue had been excluded as the supportive responses only represented 35% of all residents.

The support for such a scheme on Sitwell Grove was not considered sufficient to justify Resident Only Parking.  Whilst there were 50% supportive responses, this only represented 18% of all residents.  However, a number of responses suggested that No Waiting at any Time parking restrictions should mitigate their concerns (Drawing No. 126/19/TT589).

Broom Valley Area

-     200 responses had been received – 19% return rate

-     Of these only 3 roads where there were a large percentage of supportive responses – Mile Oak Road (70%), Oakwood Road West (67%) and Beaconsfield Road (60%)

-     When considered against the number of properties on each street, the overall support was quite small

-     On all other roads consulted, the majority were not in favour of parking controls

In view of the above, it was considered to be insufficient support to justify implementing a Residents Parking Zone in the Broom Valley area.  However, there were parts of Beaconsfield Road, in the vicinity of its junction with Carlingford Road, where non-residential parking was obstructing the safe and free flow of traffic.  It was, therefore, proposed to implement No Waiting at any Time parking restrictions at the locations shown on Drawing No. 126/18/TT590.

Resolved:-  (1)  That, subject to further consultations, Residents On Parking Monday-Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., be introduced on Queensway, Norfolk Way, part of Hallam Road and Sitwell Drive as shown on Drawing No. 126/18/TT589.

(2)  That No Waiting at any Time parking restrictions be introduced on Sitwell Grove as shown on Drawing No. 126/19/TT589.

(3)  That No Waiting at any Time parking restrictions be introduced on Beaconsfield Road as shown on Drawing No. 126/19/TT590.

(4)  That the petitioners and residents be informed accordingly.