Agenda item

Parking Strategy (2020 - 2025)

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report regarding the adoption of a new parking strategy which would replace the previous strategy and supporting policies.

 

The Chairman informed Cabinet that Mr Andrew Hill had registered to speak on this item and asked him to address the meeting.

 

Mr Hill mentioned that he had participated in the BLP meetings and in the meeting about parking he got the impression that RBWM had said that there was an imminent revision of the 2004 parking standards, however this report at paragraph 2.4 stated that there would only be a review at an appropriate point.  When is this appropriate point.  He also mentioned that the latest Nicolson’s Broadway car park proposals included a viability report that stated that the land value did not include the car park, why was this asset not included.  He also questioned the cost of the proposed increase of 98 parking spaces across the borough to alleviate the loss of spaces, referring to the proposed cost of the Vicus way car park.

 

Mr Hill was informed that as Nicholson’s was a live planning application there would not be any comment on this.  With regards to his other points the Director of Place said he would provide a written response.

 

The Lead Member for Public Protection and Parking informed Cabinet that before he introduces the report he wished to say that during this current climate it was important to assist businesses and residents so there would be free Christmas parking on certain days in most of our town centre council run car parks in the run-up to Christmas, to help support local businesses and rejuvenate the high street.

 

Free parking would be on Wednesdays from 3pm in both Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough town centre council car parks on 9, 16 and 23 December. It would also be free on Sundays in Windsor on 6, 13 and 20 December. Maidenhead was already free on Sundays.

 

The Lead Member informed that the report was about the adoption of a new parking strategy which replaces the previous strategy and supporting policies, for example: enforcement strategy, which have been refreshed. In addition, it brought together a number of existing policies and practices into one document.

 

The strategy recognised and sought to balance the impact and influence of parking in terms of ‘Place’ making; commerciality and supporting the Climate Change strategy.  With regards to the Climate Strategy it was noted that there had been a typing error and the target year was 2050 and not 2040.  It was also noted that in the recommendation it should say policy and not police.

 

The strategy was designed to provide a framework for decision making; policy making; guide financial decisions and help to prioritise and deliver activity in a co-ordinated manner which brings improvements to customers.

 

During 2021, the council would be developing a strategy focussed on opportunity and innovation. The parking strategy promotes the future use of innovative technology (for example: wireless charging and ‘Green’ projects) and seeks to support economic opportunity by creating infrastructure to promote and support regeneration and development.

 

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Resident and Leisure Services, HR, IT, Legal, Performance Management and Windsor welcomed the report and thanked the Lead Member for the free parking in Windsor during the run up to Christmas.

The Lead Member for Planning, Environmental Services and Maidenhead thanked the Lead Member for continuing the free parking as it was essential at the moment and showed our continued support to residents and businesses.  He also thanked the Lead Member for the continued support for the regeneration of Maidenhead as parking was a critical park of this.  It was mentioned that Shopmobility had been given a site in Maidenhead so they could continue to operate whilst work was ongoing.

 

Cllr Tissi said she welcomed the document although it did not solve all problems overnight.  She mentioned the standardising of parking tariffs across the borough and that Windsor provided 60% of income with 40% of spaces, she asked if Windsor would no longer have to pay more for parking.  With regards to controlled parking zones (Residential Parking) she was concerned about the introduction of shared use parking between 8am to 6pm as this would put increased pressure on parking for residents returning from work. 

 

Cllr Tissi also mentioned that it had been said there would be a review of residential parking zones introduced by previous councillors and asked if this would be undertaken.  She also suggested the introduction of season tickets for residents. 

 

The Lead Member responded by saying that there would be a review of standardising parking charges, they would be looking at short stay and long stay tariffs.  With regards to shared use in controlled parking zones he mentioned that this was already in use in some areas of Windsor to use up daytime capacity.  Due to C-19 this would not currently be extended.  Shared use will be looked at in the future.  He agreed parking zones were being reviewed and for all new one they would look at the impact on surrounding streets, there would be a retrospective review.  With regards to season tickets for residents this would be taken under consideration.

 

Cllr Davey mentioned autonomous vehicles and automated enforcement as this required 5G technology for fast transfer of data.  Automated enforcement should also include enforcement of works on the highways.  He was concerned about the number of electric points as only 10% of new car purchases were electric, he questioned the cost of introducing these points.  He also said that there was no mention of pavement parking  especially as Government consultation on this had just finished.  If this says that no one can park on the pavement what will residents do.  The Lead Member mentioned that the electric charging points was an aspirational figure that we will work towards when appropriate.

 

Cllr Baldwin mentioned that on page 59 of the report there was a table that showed the post 2023 public capacity of the proposed Nicholson’s car park of 1035 spaces that’s up from 734 which was a gain of 301.  However other plans show that this figure is reduced to 885 of which only 700 will be public, that makes the document out by 335 spaces just in one car park.  He was also concerned about previous mention of shopmobility as this did not mention Windsor that would be reviewed, would this exclude retention.

 

The Lead Member replied that the numbers had to be fluid due to planning applications being submitted and a written response could be provided.  With regards to Shopmobility it had been worded that way as current provision was not appropriate and it was to be reviewed to provide a better solution not to remove.

 

Cllr Larcombe mentioned that the report said that a new residents discount scheme would not be implemented at this time due to the financial position does this mean the end of the advantage card.  He was concerned about pricing and if price elasticity graph was used.  He also raised concern about parking on verges that was not being dealt with. The Lead Member replied that the Advantage Card was still there and the discount was removed in the budget, however we remained committed to bring back a discount scheme when finances allowed.

 

Cllr Bowden said that he was pleased to see the discounts for Windsor but also mentioned that there was no more capacity for parking in Windsor and visitors should consider alternative methods of transport when visiting.

 

Cllr Taylor asked if the short stay parking in Maidenhead could be extended from 30 minutes to 1 hour and if the times the lifts in the car park could remain in operation longer then the 6pm cut off time.  She also asked if park and ride could be considered again.  The Lead Member said he would consider the suggestions.

 

Resolved unanimously:  that  Cabinet notes the report and:

 

i)          Adopts the Parking Strategy 2020-2025 shown in Appendix 1, including the revised enforcement policy.

 

ii)         Delegates authority to the Director of Adults, Health and Commissioning in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Protection (including Parking) to make reasonable minor amendments to the Parking Strategy after consideration by the Infrastructure Overview & Scrutiny Panel; Maidenhead and Windsor Town Forums and the Disability and Inclusion Forum

 

Supporting documents: