Parking restrictions- Public consultation responses and recommendations To: Shepway Joint Transportation Board, June 2011 Main Portfolio Area: KCC – Environment, Highways and Waste By: Head of Transport & Development, Kent Highway Services Classification: Unrestricted Ward: Various Division : Various

Summary: This report details the responses received and the recommended actions to the public consultation for the introduction of safety related waiting restrictions in various locations detailed in the proposed Traffic Regulation Order.

THE KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

(THE DISTRICT OF SHEPWAY, VARIOUS ROADS)

(RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS OF WAITING, LOADING AND UNLOADING)

CONSOLIDATION ORDER 2011 (AMENDMENT NO 10)

1. Introduction

1.1. This report details the responses received to the recent public consultation regarding the proposed introduction or amendment of waiting restrictions in various locations throughout the Shepway District. The aim of these restrictions is to improve safety and traffic flows around the District, in particular at junctions and places where traffic flows and emergency access may be hindered by parked vehicles.

2. Background

2.1. In March 2010 the Joint Transportation Board for Shepway District was presented with a report listing a number of locations where it was considered additional or amended waiting restrictions could improve operational efficiency, road safety or traffic congestion at the junctions.

2.2. These locations had been identified either by members of the public, locally elected members or Kent Highway Services engineers, and were ranked as the highest priority sites with safety related parking issues in Shepway District.

2.3. The JTB approved these sites for development and consultation of detailed proposals. Public consultation was carried out as part of the statutory process for introducing or amending parking restrictions.

3. Proposals

3.1. There are 9 separate sites spread out across Shepway District (see appendix 1.0 for full site details). Each of these locations has been assessed individually to determine the best form of restriction to aid safety and traffic flow, whilst minimising the impact and inconvenience for local residents and stakeholders.

3.2. There are several different forms of restrictions proposed to be introduced or amended, depending upon the problems faced at each individual site, these are:

• No waiting at any time

• No waiting between prescribed hours

• No waiting on school entrance markings

3.3. Each of these restrictions will need to be marked on site in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions as well as having a formal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) introduced to enable the enforcement of the restrictions

3.4. The introduction of a new TRO must follow a statutory process which is determined by The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. It is also detailed as part of the Kent Highway Services, Traffic Regulation Order best practice manual.

3.5. The procedure requires that a formal public consultation period of 21 days is carried out by advertisement in the local media, notices placed on site and deposited for viewing at Kent County Council, Shepway District Council and Town or Parish council offices. Objections or letters of support are requested.

3.6. Consultation

3.7 The consultation period for these locations began on the 8th May 2011 and ran until the 30th May 2011 inclusively. Street notices were placed at all sites and an advert appeared in the Kent on Sunday local newspaper on the 8th May 2011. In addition to the statutory requirements, local properties adjacent to the proposed restrictions were posted individual notification letters and plans detailing the proposals and inviting them to comment.

3.8 During the consultation period, 10 individual responses to 4 different sites were received. No representations were received for the following locations, so these are recommended to be implemented as per the design

Wood Avenue, Folkestone Weymouth Road, Folkestone

Shornecliffe Road, Folkestone Craythorne Lane, New Romney

Canterbury Road, Hawkinge

3.9 A précis of each representation received is shown in appendix 2.0, along with a detailed response and a recommended action. For a full copy of each individual representation, please see appendix 3.0.

4. Recommendation

4.1. That Members agree to recommendations listed in paragraph 3.2, and appendix 2.0.

4.2. That members agree to proceed with the implementation of the schemes and the making of the Traffic Order as detailed in the report

Contact Officers Donna Rixson, Transportation Engineer, Kent Highway Services 08458 247800 Andy Corcoran, Traffic Schemes and Member Highway Fund Manager 08458 247 800 Appendices Appendix 1.0 Full list of proposed sites Appendix 2.0 Précis of responses and recommended actions Appendix 3.0 Copies of responses received

Various Roads, Shepway.

Parking Restriction Proposals

Summary of Consultation Responses

Name & AddressScheme Proposal

AddressComments/Representation Received Recommended Action

Geoff Bineham, Kent

Police, Traffic

Management Unit,

Coldharbour

All proposed roads

within Shepway

Kent Police have no specific objections or observations to make regarding

this proposal but expect the restrictions to meet the standard criteria without

excessive enforcement issues for the police service.

That the comments/support be noted.

Resident A, Ashford

Road, Newingreen

Ashford Road / Stone

Street, Newingreen

In support of the proposal. Request additional markings outside

"Oakview" as motorists park on the dropped kerbs. Also outside of the

"Holiday Express" complex where motorists often wait to turn into the area

which blocks the road and motorists then mount the kerb to avoid queuing.

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Stone Street. They have been designed to a

minimum affective length.It is not possible to increase the proposed

lengths of restriction under this proposal but may be introduced at a later

date. Therefore it is recommended that the scheme be introduced

as designed

Resident B, Ashford

Road, Newingreen

Ashford Road / Stone

Street, Newingreen

In support of the proposal but request the restrictions be extended in line

with the property called "Petersfield" to make it safer for pedestrians

crossing.

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Stone Street. They have been designed to a

minimum affective length.It is not possible to increase the proposed

lengths of restriction under this proposal but may be introduced at a later

date. Therefore it is recommended that the scheme be introduced

as designed

Resident C, Church

Road, Lyminge,

Folkestone, Kent,

Church Road / Well

Road / High Street,

Lyminge

In support of the proposal but feel the restrictions need to include the

opposite corner of Church Road as well as vehicles regularly park there,

especially at school drop off and pick up times.

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid the

flow of traffic into church Road. They have been designed to a minimum

affective length.It is not possible to increase the proposed lengths of

restriction or add additional lengths under this proposal but may be

introduced at a later date. Therefore it is recommended that the

scheme be introduced as designed

Resident D, Sturdy

Close, Hythe, CT21

6AG

Cobay Close / Twiss

Road, Hythe

In support of proposal. Request the maximum length of restricted parking

be imposed because of the small hill from Cobay Close to the junction with

Twiss Road does seriously impede the sight line of drivers when cars are

parked on Twiss Road. The left turn from Cobay Close will be excellent but

the right turn will be no improvement than it is at the moment.

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Cobay Close and the canal tow path. They have

been designed to an affective length.It is not possible to increase the

proposed lengths of restriction under this proposal, and to shorten them

would severly affect the visibility when exiting the tow path, but may be

introduced at a later date. Therefore it is recommended that the

scheme be introduced as designed

Resident E, Sturdy

Close, Hythe, Kent,

CT21 6AG

Cobay Close / Twiss

Road, Hythe

In support of proposal, it is currently difficult and dangerous for drivers

exiting Cobay Close to see oncoming traffic from both north and south and

especially so for elderly drivers who live in Cobay and Sturdy Close, as this

is the only exit onto Twiss road and beyond. The demarcation on Twiss

Road, looking south, is not sufficient to allow for a proper and safe vision of

the oncoming traffic and the problem will persist if the restricted parking

distance is not augmented along this stretch. This will be made worse when

the new housing development begins.

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Cobay Close and the canal tow path. They have

been designed to an affective length.It is not possible to increase the

proposed lengths of restriction under this proposal, and to shorten them

would severly affect the visibility when exiting the tow path, but may be

introduced at a later date. Therefore it is recommended that the

scheme be introduced as designed

Resident F, Sturdy

Close, Hythe, CT21 6AGCobay Close / Twiss

Road, Hythe

In support of proposal and glad that this dangerous junction is to have

parking restrictions, but are concerned that if the white marks with double

arrows on the road surface are the limits, the restriction to the South down

Twiss Road is not nearly sufficient for cars exiting Cobay Close to have a

safe view down that road. This is also true of the works traffic using the

site entrance opposite Cobay Close and for the sufficient turning area that

they require (and will also apply to residential traffic when house building is

completed there in the near future).

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Cobay Close and the canal tow path. They have

been designed to an affective length.It is not possible to increase the

proposed lengths of restriction under this proposal, and to shorten them

would severly affect the visibility when exiting the tow path, but may be

introduced at a later date. Therefore it is recommended that the

scheme be introduced as designed

Various Roads, Shepway.

Parking Restriction Proposals

Summary of Consultation Responses

Name & AddressScheme Proposal

AddressComments Jacobs Recommended Action

Resident G Cobay

Close, Hythe, Kent,

CT21 6AA

Cobay Close / Twiss

Road, Hythe

In support of proposal but request the length of restriction on the north

side of Twiss Road be reduced so as not to create displacement of traffic

into Cobay Close

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Cobay Close and the canal tow path. They have

been designed to an affective length.It is not possible to increase the

proposed lengths of restriction under this proposal, and to shorten them

would severly affect the visibility when exiting the tow path, but may be

introduced at a later date. Therefore it is recommended that the

scheme be introduced as designed

Resident H Cobay

Close, Hythe, Kent,

CT21 6AA

Cobay Close / Twiss

Road, Hythe

In support of proposal but request the length of restriction on the north

side of Twiss Road be reduced so as not to create displacement of traffic

into Cobay Close

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Cobay Close and the canal tow path. They have

been designed to an affective length.It is not possible to increase the

proposed lengths of restriction under this proposal, and to shorten them

would severly affect the visibility when exiting the tow path, but may be

introduced at a later date. Therefore it is recommended that the

scheme be introduced as designed

Resident I, Cobay

Close, Hythe, Kent,

CT21 6AA

Cobay Close / Twiss

Road, Hythe

Agree there is a need for some restriction but this proposal will block the

access to my gate which seems excessive in length.

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Cobay Close and the canal tow path. They have

been designed to an affective length.It is not possible to increase the

proposed lengths of restriction under this proposal, and to shorten them

would severly affect the visibility when exiting the tow path, but may be

introduced at a later date. Therefore it is recommended that the

scheme be introduced as designed

Resident J Sturdy

Close, Hythe, kent,

CT21 6AG

Cobay Close / Twiss

Road, Hythe

In support of proposal but markings to the left as you come out of Cobay

are fine but the ones turning right will not make any difference to your view.

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid

visibility when exiting Cobay Close and the canal tow path. They have

been designed to an affective length.It is not possible to increase the

proposed lengths of restriction under this proposal, and to shorten them

would severly affect the visibility when exiting the tow path, but may be

introduced at a later date. Therefore it is recommended that the

scheme be introduced as designed

Resident K Harcourt

Road, Folkestone, Kent,

CT19 4AE

Harcourt Road /

Surrenden Road,

Folkestone

In support of proposal but request the length of restriction be shorter than

proposed to enable vehicles to park outside my house

The 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in this location are to aid safety

and traffic flows when exiting or entering Harcourt Rd.. They have been

designed to an affective minimum length as detailed in the highway

code.Therefore it is recommended that the scheme be introduced

as designed

Attention: Diane Bourne Jacobs Engineering UK Ltd Miller House Lower Stone Street Maidstone 28th May 2011 Dear Madam, Ref: Junction Cobay Close with Twiss Road, Hythe Order Number 2010 (amendment number 1) Shepway ref number B1647600 I understand that PARKING RESTRICTIONS are soon to be implemented at the above named junction. I am very pleased that this is to be done, because it is currently difficult and dangerous for drivers exiting Cobay Close to see oncoming traffic from both north and south and especially so for elderly drivers who live in Cobay and Sturdy Close, as this is the only exit onto Twiss road and beyond. However, I wish to point out to you that the demarcation on Twiss Road, looking south, is not sufficient to allow for a proper and safe vision of the oncoming traffic and the problem will persist if the restricted parking distance is not augmented along this stretch. The issue will also soon become much more acute when much heavier traffic starts up with the building of about 75 new homes opposite the exit from Cobay Close, where construction work has already started with heavy trucks, vans and cars moving in and out of the area right opposite the entrance to Cobay Close. Please therefore take these comments into consideration, and request the appropriate department within Kent Highway Services to seriously review and to amend the restricted parking distance as mentioned above. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Yours sincerely, David T Morrey-Jones 13 Sturdy Close, Hythe, Kent CT21 6AG

Diane Bourne

We are glad that at long last this dangerous junction is to have parking restrictions, but are

concerned that if the white marks with double arrows on the road surface are the limits, the restriction to the South down Twiss Road is not nearly sufficient for cars exiting Cobay Close to

have a safe view down that road. This is also true of the works traffic using the site entrance

opposite Cobay Close and for the sufficient turning area that they require (and will also apply to residential traffic when house building is completed there in the near future).

We ask therefore that the parking restriction be extended South to the same as that shown on

the road for North along Twiss Road to near the Royal Military Canal.

Thank You

David and Evelyn Paton 9 Sturdy Close, Hythe, CT21 6AG