Agenda item

This report considers the results of the informal consultation on the proposed introduction of a CPZ into the South Croydon Area which includes roads close to the existing Croydon CPZ (West and South Permit Zones), Bynes Road CPZ and Napier Road CPZ.

The Chair proposed that the order of the agenda be amended to take the South Croydon Area report as the second substantive item. The Committee agreed to vary the order of business.

The officer informed the Committee that the report outlined the results of an informal consultation in the South Croydon area for a proposed introduction of a CPZ. Around 22 roads were consulted around the South Croydon Bus Garage which was noted to be an area of very dense parking.

It was noted that across the whole area which was consulted there was a fairly negative response; however a positive response was received from Sunny Nook Gardens, Sussex Road and Bynes Road; and the recommendation was to proceed to formal consultation on those particular roads.

Mr Shorey spoke in opposition to the proposals stating that as a proprietor of a local business he had a vested interest in whether the area became a CPZ, and that he had spoken to many of his customers regarding the proposals. As such, he felt that the proposal would have a negative impact and would only move the issue to other roads which had not voted in support; rather than fix it. Mr Shorey stated that many local people felt that they were being ignored. Furthermore, it was suggested that the questionnaire had been confusing and some residents had voted in support when they objected to the proposal. Mr Shorey concluded by stating that he felt the proposal to extend the CPZ to three roads would have a negative impact on local businesses. 

Mr Humphrey spoke to the Committee in support of the recommendations; stating that as a resident of Sussex Road he had noted that parking had got worse in the local area and was now a major issue. It was suggested that the proposal would stop commuter parking, as Sussex Road was the closest road to South Croydon station which was not in a CPZ. In addition to commuter parking, Mr Humphrey suggested that parking from a local car garage also exasperated the issue as customers and staff often parked cars on the surrounding road before and after MOTs. In response to some resident concerns, Mr Humphrey stated that he had spoken to the council and had had it confirmed that the proposal was for a continuous parking bay; so no parking bays would be lost.

In response, the officer stated that the council was responding to petitions which had been submitted. It was recognised that parking was an issue in the area, however in response to the informal consultation it was recommended to proceed to formal consultation only where there had been support. It was anticipated that the scheme would help residents; however it was recognised that there would likely be a knock-on effect to the surrounding roads.

Members noted that a response rate of 30% was relatively high for parking consultations, and that the council had listened to those responses by designing a scheme which proposed extending the CPZ to those roads which were in support.

In response to Member questions the officer confirmed that the ward councillors had been contacted for their views on the proposals; and that the councillors felt that there was a parking problem in the roads which supported the introduction of a CPZ, but that there was a concern of possible displacement.

Members raised concerns in relation to splitting Bynes Road; however noted that the recommendations were to undertake a formal consultation of the proposed roads. It was further noted that if there was insufficient support in Bynes Road then the scheme could be reduced before the final decision was made by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share) or the Executive Director Place.

The officer confirmed that the proposal to have continuous bays, and so there would not be a loss of parking, and that there was no intention to remove the current CPZ bays in Bynes Road. Furthermore, it was confirmed that all residents in Bynes Road would be informed of the formal consultation.

RESOLVED: That the Traffic Management Advisory Committee recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (job share) that they

1.     Consider the responses received to the informal consultation on the proposed introduction of a CPZ (Controlled Parking Zone) into the South Croydon Area;

2.     Agree to proceed to the formal consultation stage for a proposal to extend the Croydon CPZ (West Permit Zone) into Sunny Nook Gardens and Sussex Road, as illustrated on drawing number PD 398a;

3.     Agree to proceed to the formal consultation stage for a proposal to extend the Bynes Road CPZ into the remainder of Bynes Road as illustrated on drawing no. PD 398b; and

4.     If formal consultation is agreed, delegate to the Highway Improvement Manager, Public Realm Directorate the authority to give the notice.