Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Environment and Resident Experience.  To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services.

The Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services introduced the report which sought approval for the adoption of a new Footway Parking Policy, which would support the Council’s aims to provide safe and accessible footways across the borough.  There were currently 102 roads with pavement parking – some would be easy to change, but others would require more planning to move the parking to the carriageway.

Councillor Hakata endorsed the report and recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.            To approve the Footway Parking Policy, attached as Appendix A.

2.            To give authority to the Head of Highways and Parking to carry out any required public engagement in accordance with the new Parking Schemes - Resident Engagement Policy (Appendix C to this report) and to make any necessary traffic orders, having had due regard to any prior engagement, to give effect to those schemes; and

3.            To give authority to the Head of Highways and Parking to consider any objections and representations on footway parking schemes and to report back to the Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services if there are significant or substantial objections raised.

Reasons for decisions

The Council has a responsibility to provide safe roads and footways. Parking on footways is banned in London unless permitted through the Council’s traffic management orders. Footway parking impedes access for pedestrians, and undermines active travel, where residents do not feel safe or comfortable navigating through footways shared with cars.

This policy provides the framework for reviewing all existing footway parking. It also clarifies that footway parking will not be implemented in the future where Government guidelines cannot be met.

Alternative options considered.

Retaining current permitted footway parking arrangements was considered. However, as set out in paragraph 4.1, in many areas this parking presents safety concerns, impedes access and movement. It therefore requires review.