Agenda item

The Panel will receive a presentation on this item from the Transportation Policy Manager.

The Transportation Planning Manager gave a presentation on this item, a copy of which can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

Aims:

•  Improve quality of life

•  Reduce need to travel into city centre by car

•  Consistent with JLTP3, Sustainable Community Strategy, Core Strategy

Objectives:

•  Manage travel demand

•  Sustain and enhance the local economy

•  Provide a balance between good public transport and short stay parking

•  Effectively manage total parking supply – priorities/regulation/charges

Progress:

•  Support assumption of 10% modal shift between 2001 and 2026 to reduce demand

•  Work commissioned on viability of rail based P&R site at Bathampton

•  Need to align with revised with Core Strategy growth in housing and jobs to 2031 and assess financial impact.

West of England trends and Joint Local Transport Plan 3 targets:

•  50% growth in rail use between 2004 and 2009. Target growth of 41% between 2008 and 2019

•  5% growth in bus use between 2003/4 and 2011/12.  Target growth of 11th between 2008/09 and 2015/16

•  Cycle use target growth of 76% by 2015/16

Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) Survey:

•  Manual on street occupancy surveys carried out in 2009

•  Residents’ survey carried out in May 2012

•  Distributed to 21,254 households

•  5453 responses received

•  26% response rate

Controlled Parking Zone Survey Results

:

•  On-street occupancy typically around 45%

•  Central Zone occupancy significantly higher at between 71% and 100%

•  All on street parking spaces in Central Zone fully occupied on Saturday from 7pm onwards

Greatest concern from residents in the Central Zone:

•  Parking difficult for residents (39%)

•  Need residents’ permits (25%)

•  Need option to parking in outer zone (10%)

Other specific concerns:

•  School parking (Zones 2, 11 and A)

•  Dangerous parking (Zones 9 and A)

•  More enforcement (Zones 3 and 11)

•  New development (Zones 5 and 6)

•  HMO/Students (Zone 5)

•  Hotels (Zone 7)

Proposed Controlled Parking Zone actions:

•  Review operational guidelines to meet objectives of CPZ

•  Review Central Zone

•  Allocation of residents and visitor permits

•  Extending enforcement into evenings

•  Redefine Central Zone together with Zones 1,6 and 7

•  Increase number of available parking spaces

•  Majority of residents who expressed an opinion are against extending CPZ

•  Review individual streets against operational guidelines

•  Provide P&R bus stops on Newbridge Rd near RUH

The Chairman asked that officers bear in mind the effect that removing any parking within the City will have on the safety of women. She asked if any areas with a high degree of HMO’s had asked for a residents parking scheme.

The Transportation Planning Manager replied that it had been raised in the context of Oldfield Park, but the residents were clear that they did not want to have a scheme in place.

Councillor Brian Webber commented that this issue also required joint political support. He added that roads should be primarily about movement and suggested that parking on some streets should be reduced to make them less narrow.

Councillor Caroline Roberts commented that a more overall view of parking across the Council was required including its car parks. She asked if there was still a Park & Ride stop at Chelsea Road so that the public could use the service to visit the Royal United Hospital (RUH).

The Transportation Planning Manager replied that the plan was to now align the strategy with the Core Strategy and make projections through to 2031. He added that he would look into the status of the RUH Park & Ride stop.

Councillor David Martin asked if on wider streets some form of angled parking could be introduced to increase capacity.

The Transportation Planning Manager replied that it could be possible, maybe on Great Pultney Street.

Councillor David Martin asked if any zone analysis had taken place in relation to the revenue from parking charges / enforcement.

The Head of Parking Services replied that a zone analysis was currently on-going and that he would present that information to the Panel when it was ready.

Councillor Geoff Ward commented that whilst the sale of car park land would generate a capital receipt the on-going loss of revenue would continue to affect the Council. He added that it should be recognised how much of a challenge it is for visitors to the Controlled Parking Zones.

The Chairman thanked him for his presentation and asked for the previous documents in relation to the Parking Strategy to be circulated to the Panel.