Special public meeting to debate Warwick parking
A special public meeting of Warwickshire County Council’s Warwick Area Committee is to take place on January 30 to discuss issues around new parking plans for Warwick District.
There is still time for residents to get their written comments, suggestions or objections to the proposed significant changes in parking restrictions in Warwick District. The consultation period will end on December 8, and issues around the comments will be discussed at the special meeting.
In line with government policy, responsibility for the enforcement of on-street waiting restrictions will pass from Warwickshire Police to Warwickshire County Council in a bid to tackle parking issues and help town centres remain sustainable and competitive.
Parking offences will cease to be a criminal matter and become a civil matter instead. Warwick District Council will operate the scheme on behalf of the county council under a partnership agreement.
This will see the three Traffic Wardens and eleven Car Park Inspectors in the district replaced by a team of 30 uniformed Parking Attendants, providing much more effective control of parking.
Exhibitions have already been held across the district, but residents are being reminded that it’s not too late to get comments in as there are displays of detailed plans until December 7, at: Shire Hall and Warwick Library; Leamington Town Hall and Riverside House; and Kenilworth Library.
The initiative is an integral part of Warwickshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan and is being rolled out throughout the county. Similar schemes have already been introduced in Stratford on Avon District in 2004, and in Rugby Borough in October of this year. It is planned to introduce it across Warwick District during the third quarter of 2007.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “The county council will soon be applying to the Government to take on the responsibility for parking, from Warwickshire Police, in Warwick District.
“Following Stratford, Rugby Borough last month became the second of the main areas in Warwickshire that was decriminalised, as part of our county-wide transport improvement strategy.
“If the proposed changes go through, residents, traders, visitors and shoppers will quickly see the environmental benefits to our town centres. The aim is to speed up turnover of cars parking in those spaces available near the shops by the introduction of on street pay & display charging. Many residents should also find it easier to park, as others will have to comply with parking restrictions in their zones.
“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.
“We expect that the majority of people will see effective parking control and enforcement as a benefit for everyone using the town centres."
He said the advantages of effective parking enforcement are many. Parking places will generally be easier to find, resulting in better movement of traffic and a consequent reduction in pollution. Road safety will be improved, particularly at junctions where illegally parked vehicles can block the view of pedestrians and other drivers.
Access will be improved for emergency vehicles, public transport and refuse collection. The enforcement of Limited Waiting restrictions within resident parking zones will make it easier for residents to park nearer to their own homes during the working day.
Pay and display machines will be introduced on-street across the District, in Kenilworth, Warwick and Leamington town centres. This will help to improve turnover of parking in commercial streets and provide a deterrent to parking by non-residents in some streets close to the town centres.
Enforcement of pay & display, limited waiting areas and yellow lines will discourage those vehicles currently parking all day in such streets. Alternative all day parking is available in off-street car parks across the District by purchasing either daily or season tickets.
Residents in residential parking zones will be able to buy up to three resident permits plus one visitor permit per household. The cost of the first resident permit and of the visitor permit will be £15 each, Additional residents permits (maximum of 2) will be £25 each.
Each resident permit will be for a specific registration number, but the visitor permit may be used on any visiting vehicle. A letter outlining the proposals is being sent to each resident within the proposed resident parking zones.