Progress Update – Pavement Parking
Number / Recommendation / Responsibility / Anticipated Completion Date/ Completion Date / Evidence of progress 16/11/09 / Evidence of Progress 22/02/10 / Assessment of progress (Categories 1-4) 22/02/102 / A priority rating system is devised to identify the residential areas worst affected by parking problems and assess what parking solutions are required in those areas. / John Angus / Sep-09 / A priority rating matrix has been developed but currently officers have been making some minor amendments to the matrix. These revisions will be made available to Scrutiny Committee Members for comments by 20 November. / 2 – On Track /
Officers have been testing and refining the matrix based on actual requests and real locations. The recommended version and explanatory notes are attached for consideration and feedback. / 2 - On Track
NB. Matrix devised as per timetable but testing and refinement ongoing
3 / The Head of Technical Services is requested to provide Members with details of the solutions currently available (including introducing or revoking Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)), to address parking problems in areas where there is significant inconvenience to residents. In addition, request the Head of Technical Services to consider the effectiveness of existing TROs introduced in problem areas. / Bill Trewick / Sep-09 / Councillors are consulted on any proposals to deal with parking issues in their wards. Site-specific advice is given to include the range of options available and potential funding streams and timescales.
The December 2008 report to Scrutiny setting out the various measures could be circulated to all Members but should be read in conjunction with the Members Guide at item 4. Specific advice on use of white box markings on pavements to be included. / 3 - Slipped /
The technical report to Select Committee is reproduced here and will be re-circulated with the Member’s Guidance leaflet. / 3 - Slipped
See item 4
4 / A briefing guide is produced for Members which provides details of the roles and powers of the Council’s Enforcement Officers in relation to pavement parking, including statutory and discretionary powers, practical procedures and enforcement action available, and explains and clarifies the distinction between the roles of the Council’s Neighbourhood and Civil Enforcement Officers / Nigel Gibb
Graeme Small / Oct-09 / The Guide is still at internal draft stage (to be tabled at Scrutiny Committee) as the Neighbourhood Enforcement Service are currently re-applying for accreditation under the CSAS delegation and additional powers have been requested.
The final version of the guide with clarification of interpretation of these powers from the Police will be issued on renewal of the accreditation scheme.
Guide will also include advice on other nuisance parking issues.
Revised date of issue – early 2010 / 3 - Slipped / Confirmation of continuation of Police delegation under CSAS received on 2 February
Awaiting confirmation of list of Police Powers included.
A final draft of the guidance leaflet will be tabled at Select Committee on 22 February. / 3 – Slipped
Anticipated completion now March 2010
5 / To further improve the safety of the Borough’s footways for both pedestrians and road users, highways inspectors undertake sample inspections in known problem areas to determine the actual number of illegal footway crossings and assess damage to the highway. The results of the inspections to be presented to the Committee at a later date for further consideration and to look at providing potential solutions. / Richard Bradley / Oct-09 / Billingham South and Central wards were proposed as pilot areas.
Whilst carrying out the routine zonal inspections during October 09 the Highway Inspectors
- identified the locations of illegal crossings - this information is logged on the GIS system
- recorded the quantity of works carried out as a result of the inspection
- recorded whether the footpaths were of a paved or bitmac construction.
A schedule of identified unauthorised footway crossings in the pilot area in Billingham is shown pictorially in the attached plan.
Inspection revealed minimal defects at these locations and therefore only limited actionable work was carried out.
At this stage, a blanket enforcement of the Highways Act to ensure that car crossings are constructed to our standards is not recommended, although any ramps placed in the drainage channels will continue to be removed
If particular illegal crossings are identified that are causing obvious damage to the highway, then we need to act on an individual basis and have the delegated authority to enforce the Highways Act by onstructing the crossing & recharging the householder for the works.’ / 2 – On Track
Inspections and data gathering completed as per programme but difficulties with file size led to delaysin dissemmination
7 / Introducing a ‘Think B4 U Park’ campaign, to be promoted through Stockton News, public libraries, the Council’s website, housing estate offices and other community outlets, to raise public awareness about the problems associated with pavement parking and damage to grassed areas, in particular:
a) the damage it causes to footways;
b) the cost of repairing damage; c) the inconvenience and risk caused to pedestrians, especially to older residents, the visually impaired, those in wheelchairs or mobility scooters and those using prams or pushchairs; and
d) emphasising the fact that enforcement action will be taken against offenders, including drivers of heavy vehicles and those who park vehicles on grass verges or whose vehicles traverse over grassed areas, wherever this is possible and practicable. / Nigel Gibb
David Lupton / Oct-09 / A series of 3 articles will be run in successive Stockton News issues.
However, lack of space has delayed the first article until 20 November edition.
The website and other campaign material will be launched in conjunction with the third Stockton News item when the legal clarification from the Police on delegated powers should also be available. / 3 - Slipped / First article published in November edition of Stockton News.
Second article was submitted for publication but was not used in the re-branded launch of Stockton News in January. Whether the new-look Stockton News is an appropriate medium to use for such a campaign is now under review.
It is now intended that the Members Guidance leaflet will be adapted to produce the campaign leaflet.
The Council’s new Communications and Marketing Team has been commissioned and a draft of the leaflet will be available to be tabled at Select Committee on 22 February.
Likely launch in Spring 2010. / 3 – Slipped
8 / Through the campaign identified in the above recommendation:
a) Provide clear guidelines where people should and should not park to help educate people who think they may be helping other road users by parking on the pavement into making them more aware of the potential problems. The guidelines provided draw on best practice at other local authorities.
b) encourage drivers to park responsibly
c) pilot residential areas with suitable publicity that encourages residents to offer practical solutions
d) offer mediation in cases of dispute between parties requiring pavement parking in neighbourhood areas (e.g. in conjunction with UNITE, the mediation service)
e) encourage commercial vehicles (including Council vehicles where appropriate) to be left at business premises overnight rather than be brought home and parked on pavements in residential areas / Nigel Gibb
Graeme Small
Nigel Gibb
Graeme Small
Bill Trewick
Nigel Gibb
Graeme Small
Nigel Gibb
Graeme Small / Oct 09
March 2010
Ongoing
Ongoing / See items 4 & 7 / 3 - Slipped / See items 4 and 7 / 3 - Slipped
10 / The Annual Parking Report provides supplementary information on the problems associated with pavement parking across the Borough with details of subsequent follow up action taken as necessary. Details to be provided include particular problem areas, parking near schools, the number of official complaints made by the public and the nature and level of enforcement activity undertaken including official notices issued. / Nigel Gibb / Dec-09 / The annual report is at internal draft stage / 2 – On Track / Government advice is that the Annual Report should relate to the 2009/10 financial year and be published within 6 months of end of financial year. Therefore publication will need to await year end outturn financial and other statistics.
Revised completion date June 2010 / 2 – On Track
11 / Providing suitable information so residents know who to contact if they are having problems with poorly parked vehicles (links to the recommendation at paragraph 1.45). / Bill Trewick
Graeme Small
Contact centre / Sep-09 / This will be addressed via the Members information leaflet and via SRCGA / 3 - Slipped / Contacts will be included within the Members Guidance and campaign leaflet and also listed on the Internet.
The Council Contact Centre will also be able to answer or re-direct callers. / 3 - Slipped
15 / Officers approach the Stockton Community Residents Group Association (SRCGA) to obtain their views on issues related to pavement parking, with a view to advising local residents on possible solutions. / Bill Trewick / Oct-09 / Meeting held with SRCGA and a protocol is currently being agreed in addition to their existing input via the 4 Area Transport Boards. Likely to involve reporting through CEN. / 2 – On Track / Meeting held with SRCGA and a protocol is currently being agreed in addition to their existing input via the 4 Area Transport Boards. Likely to involve reporting through CEN.
A number of meetings have taken place. There is no common theme to parking issues and different areas have different problems.
Discussions ongoing but likely that Neighbourhood Enforcement will offer appropriate responses depending on the local circumstances. / 2 - On Track