PAPER A1

 

Committee:     REGULATORY APPEALS COMMITTEE

 

Date:               24 OCTOBER  2002

 

Title:                OBJECTIONS TO ADVERTISED TRAFFIC ORDERS

 

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND         ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

 

 

1.         THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL (VARIOUS STREETS, BEMBRIDGE IW) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER No 1 2002

 

SUMMARY

 

An Order to prohibit the waiting of vehicles at any time and loading or unloading at any time in Bembridge was advertised during August 2002 and representations have been received to the following.

 

High Street – No Waiting at any time/No loading - unloading at any time

 

·         On its northwest side from its junction with Sherbourne Street to a point 14.5 metres southwest thereof.

 

·         On its northwest side from a point 44.5 metres southwest to a point 77 metres southwest of its junction with Sherbourne Street

 

·         On its southeast side from its junction with Foreland Road to a point 6 metres northeast thereof.

 

·         On its southeast side from a point 13 metres northeast to a point 26 metres northeast of its junction with Forelands Road.

 

 

 

Foreland Road – No Waiting at any time/No loading - unloading at any time

 

·         On its northeast side from its junction with the High Street to a point 10 metres southwest thereof.

 

 

Sherbourne Street – No Waiting at any time/No loading - unloading at any time

 

·         On its southwest side from its junction with High Street to a point 9 metres northwest thereof.

 

Four letters of representation have been received two of which support the proposed restrictions and two of which who object.

 

The two objectors feel that the proposed Order is unduly restrictive, not only to the businesses but also the residents who are elderly and infirm. Furthermore it has been recommended that any restriction should only apply between 8am and 6pm – May to September.

 

In contrast the two supporters of the proposed Order feel that the restrictions do not go far enough and should be extended in both High Street and Forelands Road.

 

EVALUATION

 

During the late 1980’s the “Bembridge Experiment” was introduced and resulted in the removal of all yellow line parking restrictions in the town, relying on the integrity of the motorist to park in such manner as to ensure that they did not cause an obstruction or impede the movement of vehicles using the local road network. In an attempt to indicate the locations that would be most adversely affect by parked vehicles  “DO NOT OBSTRUCT” signs were displayed. These had a limited success and indiscriminate parking and obstruction was common.

 

During the construction of the “Seclean Wight” scheme yellow line restrictions were introduced and covered by a temporary Order.

 

Since then through traffic in the area has increased significantly and the resulting problems have become commonplace. This practice has now reached an unacceptable level with vehicles of all classes being obstructed, including those of the emergency services. As a result the Parish Council made a request that parking restrictions be implemented.

 

The extent of the proposed restrictions was determined after a site visit with the local Councillor and representatives of the Parish Council and was considered to be the minimum required to address the current problems without imposing any unnecessary impact on the local services.

 

One parking space has been retained outside the bakery to allow for delivery vehicles and customer parking.

 

 The potential impact of the proposed restrictions have been analysed in detail and are not felt to have any negative impact on the provisions of section 17 of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998.

 

POLICE COMMENTS

 

Hampshire Constabulary have made no written comment with regard to the proposed restriction.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Order is implemented as advertised

     

BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

Four letters of representation, copies of which is attached.

 

 

Contact Point: Peter Taylor, Principal Engineer (Traffic & Transportation)

 

 

M J A FISHER

Strategic Director

Corporate and Environment Services