Agenda item

(Report CAB3109(TP) refers)

The Chairman introduced the report which set out the background and reasons to the proposed introduction of parking restrictions on various roads in Whiteley which, following advertisement, had received 26 letters of objection and three letters of support.

During public participation, James Mitchell (Lidl UK), Lloyd Exley (HBS Group Southern Ltd), Dennis Armstrong and Mike Evans (Whiteley Town Council) addressed the Committee, as summarised below and answered Members’ questions thereon:

In summary, James Mitchell, Head of Property for Lidl UK, raised the following points:

·         The proposed measures were designed to rectify issues with on street parking and safety arising;

·         High level consultation on these measures had taken place and they were supported by Whiteley Town Council and Hampshire Constabulary and were deemed necessary by Hampshire County Council (HCC). These measures were  also a requirement of the Safety Audit for the store;

·         Store opening would be prevented in the absence of adequate  measures being put in place to ensure safe access to the site ;

·         Objections from businesses had been noted. However, this was a matter of ensuring road safety requirements supported by the Council, HCC, Whiteley Town Council and Hampshire Constabulary are put in place; and

·         Keir Group also very reliant on necessary parking restrictions for proper and safe development of their site.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Mitchell advised that the store was serviced by articulated lorries, parking on site was limited to 90 minutes, and parking spaces were provided for staff and customers with the number determined through the planning process.

In summary, Lloyd Exley (HBS Group Southern Ltd), raised the following points:

·         HBS Group based on Solent Way objected to the proposed parking restrictions on Solent Way, although not to the double yellow lines on Whiteley Way and Rookery Avenue;

·         Parking Restrictions would result in an adverse impact on businesses as a result. Parking was at a premium in Whiteley;

·         HBS had access to eight parking spaces; more land was available as a result of their lease but the company was prevented from accessing it by Highways England. ;

·         Hampshire Constabulary were already ticketing obstructive parking on this junction so he considered that further restrictions were not required and no accidents had been recorded;

·         Any restrictions would displace parking to other areas in Whiteley; and

·         HCC should work with local businesses towards a solution ahead of implementing the proposed parking restrictions along Solent Way.

In response to questions from the Committee Mr Exley said he was unsure how many spaces his business required but more than the 8 they have at present and the parking spaces they cannot access are to the rear of the building next to the highway depot.

In summary, Dennis Armstrong spoke on the matter of parking in central Winchester for properties without off-street parking of their own.  He stated that he wished to query the price of parking for residents in the central area of the city which he considered to be excessive, in comparison to other areas of Hampshire at £1,980 per annum. Mr Armstrong clarified that the building he resided in did not have any allocated parking provision.  In response, the Chairman confirmed that the Council’s legal team would provide a written response to this query in due course.

In summary, Mike Evans (Whiteley Town Council) raised the following points:

·         Support for the proposals for double yellow lines in various roads in Whiteley;

·         The Town Council recognises that parking was difficult and continued to create tension with businesses and residents;

·         New businesses and developments in Whiteley should be encouraged to provide sufficient parking spaces to accommodate staff and visitors;

·         The Town Council would work closely with British Land, the owners of the Whiteley Shopping Centre, to achieve a zero tolerance of staff parking in residential roads;

·         The Town Council had taken over responsibility for Whiteley Business Forum and businesses have been approached regarding the parking restrictions on a number of occasions;

·         The Town Council were aware of dangerous parking on roads near to businesses and that Hampshire Constabulary had issued tickets accordingly;

·         Major lack of parking spaces for existing businesses in the area; there was not yet an holistic understanding  of the overall number of parking spaces available and until this is determined options to increase off street parking could not be properly considered but the Town Council will be seeking this information;

·         Aware some car parks were privately owned and land owners had placed double yellow lines on themselves on their access roads to individual units which has exacerbated the problem;

·         A working group had been established comprising of councillors and officers from the Council, HCC and Whiteley Town Council to develop  a strategic approach to reduce on street parking and engagement with businesses and landlords will commence in the new year to establish parking utilisation and numbers of available spaces on the Business Park as a whole; and

·         Aware of the inconsiderate and obstructive parking blocking footways and cycle paths and obscuring visibility splays. 

In response to questions from Members, Mr Evans confirmed they would be carrying out an audit of parking 

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Huxstep also addressed the Committee and raised the following points:

·         Agreed with the points raised by Whiteley Town Council and supported the proposed restrictions;

·         In addition, suggested that effort to encourage more public transport in Whiteley be investigated carefully;

·         Encourage larger employers to run shuttle services for employees to reduce traffic and demand for parking; and

·         Work with the Town Council to liaise with local businesses to establish parking capacities and consider if land could be released for car parking going forward.

In response to questions from Members, Councillor Huxstep confirmed that he would investigate land access and acquisition in this area including the additional HBS car parking and feedback to the working group accordingly.

During discussion regarding timescales for the implementation of the proposed parking restrictions and mitigation plans going forward, the Traffic Engineer clarified that, in agreement with the Head of Legal Services (Interim), the site line restrictions would be put in place to align with the proposed Lidl store opening and an implementation date put in place for mid January 2019.

In relation to mitigation plans, it was reported that the Council would work closely with Whiteley Town Council to assist in gathering information to liaise with landowners and local businesses to establish any locations where under utilised parking occurs. The Council was committed to working closely with HCC, Whiteley Town Council, Ward Members and Portfolio Holders to look at options for the provision of off street parking in the longer term to address the serious issues currently experienced by businesses, residents and vulnerable roads users in Whiteley.

The Committee agreed to the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the Report. 

RESOLVED:

1.         That the proposal for double yellow lines on Parkway, Rookery Avenue, Whiteley Way and Solent Way, Whiteley be approved, as advertised; and

2.         That the Head of Legal Services (Interim) be authorised to make the Order, in accordance with the advertised proposal.