Concerns over new residential parking permits being introduced in Gloucester

Concerns have been raised over proposed changes to onstreet parking in Gloucester.

Gloucestershire County Council is introducing residential parking permits in the Kingsholm area of the city this summer.

They say permits will make it easier for residents to park outside their homes. And the permit area, which will include Denmark Road, Oxford Road and Horton Road, will be introduced on Monday, July 10.

This will limit non-resident parking and aims to make it easier for residents to find a parking space near their home.

The council says it has worked with the NHS to provide a selection of dedicated NHS permit spaces on-street for use by staff.

They also say they have made changes to the plans to factor in the comments of local residents and businesses after a public consultation last summer.

However, concerns have been raised that there is no council vote on the proposals and residents are in the dark over what feedback Shire Hall has had about the proposals.

“A parking permit will not guarantee a parking space for anyone who lives in a particular road,” said a resident who did not wish to be named.

“A limit of two permits per household will apply to families but not necessarily to houses in multiple occupancy depending on the tenancy arrangements. Anyone can park on the roads for a maximum of four hours at any time – so matchday parking is still a free-for-all.

“It’s the only time there is a parking issue in our road when rugby fans park anywhere and everywhere with no thought that people might live in a road and need to return there during the match.

“Many roads do not have an issue, other than match days and peak school times, but cannot be excluded from the scheme as the perceived congestion problem will then move to those roads (Estcourt Road will be an example of this when the The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) comes into force).

“The current traffic issues are not managed now – parking on double yellow lines, the bus routes to the school is chaotic, dangerous parking on corners, blue badge abuse on match days.

“When rugby is played at Lansdown Road, parking is a complete joke – on pavements, on corners – anywhere they want. I’ve ever seen a traffic enforcement officer around at that time.”

However, Shire Hall highways chiefs say the TRO will see clear and consistent parking controls across the area. The permit zone will be active from 8am to 7pm seven days a week.

The new TRO will introduce yellow lines to protect driveways and junctions and address safety and access concerns. It will also provide parking bays for residents and free time-limited parking for non-residents and visitors, the council says.

Each house will be permitted two parking permits. The price for the first car will be £63.60 and the price for the second car will be £127.35 per year, with a 50% reduction for band A ‘Eco’ vehicles. Residents, carers, businesses and hotels will be able to apply for permits, and visitor vouchers can be used for longer stays.

Gloucestershire County Council’s highways cabinet member Dom Morris (C, Fairford and Lechlade on Thames) said: “Introducing permits into this area will help to ensure that parking is prioritised for residents.

“It will discourage commuters from parking in these residential areas and help to encourage them to use more sustainable methods of transport.

“I would like to thank residents and businesses in the community for sharing their thoughts during the consultation and helping to shape this scheme.”

Cllr Jeremy Hilton (LD Kingsholm and Wotton) said he has received many requests over the years from residents to resolve the parking congestion in Kingsholm.

He says there is no easy solution, but the proposals should free up space on congested streets to the benefit of residents.

“There has been thorough public consultation during the design process. I’d like to thank everyone who responded to the consultation and to the parking team for their hard work in finalising the scheme.”

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk