Tackling parking issues in Rugby
Significant changes in parking restrictions are being proposed for the centre of Rugby to tackle parking issues and help the town centre remain sustainable and competitive.
Proposed changes would extend restrictions to on-street parking by non-residents, making it easier for residents to park near their own homes, in many of the streets near to the town centre and the railway station.
The scheme for the centre of Rugby and additional outlying residential streets could become active in October of this year if proposals are given the all clear.
The decriminalisation of parking in Rugby means parking enforcement in the town would become a council responsibility. The three Traffic Wardens and three car park attendants in the town will be replaced with 12-14 uniformed Parking Enforcement Officers, providing much more effective control of parking.
Thirty on-street pay and display machines would be introduced in Rugby town centre to improve turnover in commercial streets and provide a deterrent to parking by non-residents in some streets close to the town centre.
Residents in residential parking-zones would pay £15 a year for each vehicle parking permit, up to a maximum of three residents in a household, plus a £15 visitor parking permit will be available, which could be used on any visiting vehicle.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Environmental Services, said: “By introducing decriminalised parking we can reduce the amount of traffic circulating in the town centre and on residential streets. This has environmental benefits by reducing exhaust fume levels in our town centres, while also improving opportunities for residents to park outside their homes.
“Other towns such as Northampton and Winchester have introduced similar schemes and have seen an increase in the vitality of their town centres. We want to ensure the economic vitality and sustainability of Warwickshire towns and this is an important step in that direction.”
Cllr Gordon Collett, Rugby Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Borough and Economic Development, said: “The scheme should also improve the flow of shoppers in the town centre, with on-street parking in the centre of town restricted to one hour, encouraging people to use the town centre car parks, and potentially providing a higher turnover of shoppers for the businesses in town.”
A dedicated website, http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/decrim, is being set up explaining the details of the scheme and showing plans of the proposals. An email address will also be contained within the pages so that responses can be made.
The statutory notice of the necessary traffic regulation order will be advertised next week, on March 23, inviting comments on the proposals.
An exhibition is also being planned to display the planned extended resident parking zone areas and on-street pay and display proposals in Rugby town centre on Thursday, March 30, Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1.
This exhibition will be manned by officers of Warwickshire County Council and Rugby Borough Council and will provide the public with the opportunity to talk about the scheme face-to-face with these officers and air their views.