Agenda item

This report:

(1)  Outlines the development of a new Parking Strategy and steps taken to reach a final draft of the document. The Parking Strategy seeks to be in line with all other relevant Council policies and provides a strategic framework against which future decisions may be made.

(2)  Outlines the development of a new Coach Park at Odd Down Park & Ride to complement the Council’s Placemaking Plan and to enable the regeneration of Avon St coach and car park into Bath Quays North.

(3)  Outlines the parking charge proposals, developed in line with the outcomes from the Parking Strategy, to be promoted through the necessary statutory process.

Sian James read out her statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix and on the Council's website] where she expressed her concerns about the Strategy, in particular an impact that short stay car parking would have on air pollution.

Sian James read out a statement on behalf of Fiona Powell [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix and on the Council's website] where she expressed her concerns about the Strategy, in particular on lack of detail on car volumes and movements.

Christine Boyd read out her statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix and on the Council's website] where she highlighted outcomes of the Charlotte Street Car Park survey conducted by her and another resident.

Andrew Lea addressed the Cabinet by saying that the Cabinet should not make the decision based on inaccurate information.  Andrew Lea also said that Park and Rides were at its maximum capacities only during peak times at Christmas period.

Annie Kilvington read out her statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix and on the Council's website] where she said that residents should not be rewarded by driving to Bath and parking on a short stay basis, and why the Council did not asked DEFRA for comment.

Patrick Rotheram (FOBRA) read out his statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix and on the Council's website] where he said that the Council had been mandated to bring air pollution below the legal limit as soon as possible.  Although FOBRA had supported increased long-term car park charges to encourage commuters to use the Park and Ride, they felt that reducing car park charges for B&NES residents would encourage more local traffic and could well cancel out any reduced commuter use.

Councillor Richard Samuel made an ad-hoc statement where he said that residents would want to see an improvement in air quality, and this Strategy would take the Council backwards in terms of achieving its goals.  Councillor Samuel expressed his concerns that key recommendations from the CTE PDS Panel had not been taken into account.

Councillor Dine Romero made an ad-hoc statement where she said that short term car park pricing would not benefit the residents and it would increase air pollution.

Councillor Paul Crossley made an ad-hoc statement where he said that the Strategy would not put the residents first.  The Council should encourage reduction in car usage, reduction in air pollution, repair the potholes and encourage bus use.  Councillor Crossley urged the Cabinet to reject proposals.

Councillor Alison Millar made an ad-hoc statement where she said that the Council should stop encouraging car use as residents’ health was at risk.  Councillor Millar asked the Cabinet to promote bus use and consider funding bus subsidy.

Councillor Mark Shelford thanked all officers for their hard work on this issue.  Councillor Shelford also thanked Camden Residents’ Association for their report on Air Quality and to all speakers and contributors who spoke on this matter.

Councillor Mark Shelford introduced the report by saying that Parking Strategy had been seen as good practice due to the impacts that public parking could have on the Authority as a whole, and it would put residents first. 

The Parking Strategy would also provide links to the emerging work on air quality and would recognise that parking charges, restrictions and other policy changes were important tools to help to contribute to reductions in air quality issues.  The need for the strategy had been reflected in the significant demand on the network from the numbers of commuter, business and resident vehicles coming into the Authority on a daily basis. The Parking Strategy would support the use of Park & Ride to reduce long stay parking in the city as well as other more sustainable modes of transport such as car clubs, electric vehicles, motorcycles and cycling.  These changes would then help to address air quality issues.  The Parking Strategy also recommends reviews of the use of parking permits within the City and residents parking zones, both of which were raised during the public consultation process. Adoption of the Parking Strategy would allow further work to be undertaken to resolve the issues highlighted by residents within these areas.

Councillor Shelford also said that there was a need to relocate the Riverside Coach Park to Odd Down Park & Ride to enable redevelopment of the site and a formal decision was required to enable the works to proceed. This decision would also allow officers to start marketing the Odd Down site with coach operators.  Members on the CTE Scrutiny Panel were united on the need for long stay coaches to park out of the city centre and for their customers to come into the centre via the Park & Ride service at Odd Down.

Councillor Shelford concluded his statement by saying that this Strategy was just a start of the journey and the Council would be looking at differential car park charges, and any additional money raised would be put towards safer school journey and bus subsidies.

Councillor Mark Shelford moved the recommendations.

Councillor Tim Warren seconded the motion by saying that the Strategy would put residents first and it would demonstrate continued support for local traders and independent businesses.  The Strategy was aimed at improving air quality and reducing congestion by encouraging commuters and visitors to use the city’s Park and Rides or other public transport.  In addition, the Riverside Coach Park would now be relocated to Odd Down Park and Ride in support of the Council’s Economic Strategy, Placemaking Plan and it would be a part of the regeneration of Bath Quays North.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet:

2.1  Agreed with the proposed changes to parking charges set out in the Report which will be taken forward through the necessary statutory process, alongside the adoption of the Parking Strategy;

2.2  Approved the use of Odd Down Park & Ride for long stay coach parking.