Controlled Parking Zone, Faversham

The Seafront & Engineering Manager, Mike Knowles, attended the meeting to present a proposal to introduce a controlled parking zone to resolve issues with parking in Court Street, Faversham. Introducing a controlled parking zone in the area would enable parking enforcement to take place without the requirement to attempt to paint double yellow lines on the cobbled setts, something when previously undertaken resulted in a number of complaints. Members and officers were keen to hear the views of the public before drafting the Traffic Regulation Order. Part of that process would be to conduct a formal public consultation.

The following comments were raised:

·       Could an update be given on completing work for the double yellow lines in Market Street?;

·       would blue badge holders and traders be able to park in the controlled parking zone?;

·       the Shepherd Neame Brewery was impacted by parking, could the zone be extended to include the junction at Market Place and Market Street as well as both sides of Middle Road?;

·       Ours Café had a permit to put tables and chairs on the pavement but frequent double parking in that area made it difficult;

·       the current signage was unclear, adding signage for the controlled parking zone would cause further confusion;

·       some signs that were installed during the pandemic should be removed;

·       could electric bollards be installed as they would be less confusing than signs?;

·       disabled access needed to be maintained in pedestrianised areas;

·       emergency services and commercial vehicles would still need to access the area;

·       residents would need somewhere to park on Sundays;

·       vehicles were parking across Middle Row blocking access;

·       what was the proposed date to start the controlled parking zone?;

·       how would the controlled parking zone be enforced?;

·       could cameras be used to help with enforcement?; and

·       why was it taking so long to repaint old faded double yellow lines?

The Chief Executive and Seafront & Engineering Manager responded that the contractor was having problems accessing the area where double yellow lines were to be painted. The Seafront & Engineering Manager confirmed that the Controlled Parking Zone parking restrictions would be the same as those on double yellow lines, so blue badge holders would be permitted to park for up to 3 hours (as long as they were not causing an obstruction), and the arrangements for loading and unloading. Officers would be happy to look at options to address the Shepherd Neame parking issues. Moving traffic issues outside of Ours Café was dealt with by Kent County Council and only the Police could enforce. Signage had been improved in recent years, there would be a separate sign for the controlled parking zone. If electric bollards were to be installed, they needed to be staffed at all times but that option could be looked at. The issue of residents parking on Sundays was raised previously and the proposal was for a Traffic Regulation Order to be changed to 7 days a week. A white bar marking could be installed to keep the entrance to Middle Row clear as a temporary measure. It would take at least12 months to complete the controlled parking zone, there was a legal process that must be adhered to. The SBC enforcement contract was for a set number of hours, those hours could be used to target times when there were known problems. Councils did not have access to Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data to enforce so could not use cameras. A decision had been taken by a previous administration not to repaint the double yellow lines, as that was some time ago it was necessary to go through the legal process from the beginning to install them.

The Chair thanked everyone for their comments and proposed a public indicative vote on the proposal to introduce a controlled parking zone in the Court Street area, Faversham. On being put to the vote the proposal was unanimously in favour.

Pavement parking

A member of the public said that there had been an increase of vehicles parking on pavements and not leaving enough room for pushchairs, or mobility scooters to pass. The Chief Executive said she would take this issue away to see what could be done.

Ospringe 20’s Plenty petition

A representative of the Ospringe 20’s Plenty Action Group said that they had received 1000 signatures on their petition and asked what their next steps should be. The Chief Executive said that she would stay behind at the end of the meeting to provide advice on what process the Action Group should follow.

The Chair proposed a public indicative vote on the proposal to implement a speed limit of 20 miles an hour on the A2 in Ospringe. On being put to the vote the proposal was unanimously in favour.

Resolved:

1)    That the Eastern Councillors & Residents Forum were unanimously in favour of the proposal to introduce a controlled parking zone in the Court Street area, Faversham and this vote should be noted as part of the formal consultation.

2)    That the Eastern Councillors & Residents Forum were unanimously in favour of the proposal to implement a speed limit of 20 miles an hour on the A2 in Ospringe and this vote should be noted as part of the formal process.