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Parking review launched to evaluate changing demand and meet local need
Parking review launched to evaluate changing demand and meet local need
East Suffolk Council has pledged to conduct a detailed review of parking management regulations and introduce new schemes to meet changing local demand.
The review will encompass regulations such as resident parking, short term parking bays and double yellow lines, and consider a variety of factors, including shifting patterns of town centre use and growth in housing.
Cabinet members met on Tuesday to approve recommendations for the review of existing rules and the allocation of a supplementary budget for the appointment of a Highways Technician/Engineer to provide the necessary resource and capability.
The recommendation for a review follows the transferal of parking enforcement powers from Suffolk Constabulary to individual local authorities in April 2020.
The review will examine the validity of existing parking management regulations and identify areas in which other regulations could improve highway user movement.
It will also focus on identifying streets where permit management regulations will prioritise on-street parking and where parking demand could be balanced using paid parking regulations.
Cllr Norman Brooks, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Transport, said:
“Not only will this review help ensure we maintain fair, reasonable and consistent administration of civil parking enforcement, but it will help make a positive contribution to the Council’s carbon neutral aims, delivering on our promise to put environmental issues at the heart of everything we do.
“By ensuring we manage the kerb-space in the right locations, we can reduce the need for vehicles to hunt for spaces in towns, potentially cutting congestion, and improve the highway network for all, including pedestrians and cyclists. It’s about enabling people to safely travel for work and leisure, while having a minimum impact on the environment.
“By no means is this just about enforcement; it’s about facilitating the most efficient use of the highway network.”
The review will involve consultation with relevant town and parish councils, Business Improvement Districts, Suffolk County Council and other bodies, such as the Lowestoft Place Board and local business associations.
Any changes recommended to traffic regulation orders as a result of the review may require further Cabinet approval and consultation.