To receive the above item.

Neil Walter, Parking Principal, introduced the item and said on 26 November 2020, the council adopted a 5-year strategic framework. Car travel remained the most prevalent form of transport in the borough and the strategy sought to minimise congestion, improve air quality, maximise the use of existing assets and support economic growth. The strategy was intended to be dynamic, with periodic reviews. In Windsor, the focus was on the upcoming removal of self-administered parking schemes, the removal of the majority of on-street pay and display parking machines, and the future review of residential schemes.

The Chairman said car parks had opened for resident parking due to lockdown restrictions. Councillor Cannon, Lead Member Public Protection and Parking, said any suggestions and observations were welcome.

John Webb, Windsor resident, said he wrote an email seeking clarity on what a minor amendment was, and Councillor Cannon said all ideas were welcome to be put forward. Matters could be raised in the Forum, brought forward by a ward Councillor, by the resident themselves or directly to Neil Walter. It would then be discussed if it was viable.

Councillor Knowles said parking charges were introduced by the government to control traffic and access to places, so prioritising revenue gain for charges was not good. He said the problem in Windsor was the high traffic flow and pollution on Arthur Road and suggested a park and ride scheme to control the visitor parking and access to town. It was also suggested that the Parking Strategy worked alongside the Transport Plan, and review how people travelled into Windsor. Councillor Price agreed that the Parking Strategy should be integrated with the public transport policy. Neil Walter said various plans had been considered for Arthur Road to help reduce congestion. The issue with park and ride was the lack of site available to execute.

Chris Holland, Windsor resident, asked for consideration to be given to making the York House car park available to the public from 5pm instead of the existing 7pm start time. He said the empty car pack could be used in the critical time, in accordance with the strategy to maximise the use of assets. Neil Walter said York House car park was managed though a property company and the current lease did not permit the use of the car park before 7pm. He would liaise to Chris Pearse, Head of Capital Projects and Asset Management, to see if there was a potential to change the lease.

ACTION: Neil Walter to liaise with Chris Pearse on changing the public parking time at York House.

Councillor Tisi asked if the season ticket model could be provided to residents who used car parks regularly, which would benefit the council due to the upfront or monthly income. Neil Walter said administrating the tickets would need to be reviewed and deciphering if the purchaser was a Windsor resident. The Council was currently considering RingGo, which did not collect the address of customers.

ACTION: Neil Walter to explore the resident season ticket potential and update the Forum through the Lead Member.

Councillor Tisi said the car share scheme link in the Parking Strategy did not work and asked how to access the scheme. Neil Walter said the scheme was now being managed by Chris Joyce, Head of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Economic Growth, and would collate answers from him. Councillor Tisi asked for ‘Cycle Action Plan’ to be changed to ‘Cycling Action Plan’.

ACTION: Neil Walter to ask Chris Joyce to provide an update on the car share scheme.

Councillor Price said residents were not informed that they were able to make reasonable minor adjustments to the Parking Strategy and requested for the item to come forward to a future meeting for better involvement by residents. Councillor Cannon said residents were not limited to responding through the Forum and could make comments directly or through a ward councillor.

The Vice Chairman asked how the council could encourage fewer cars and encourage electric vehicle charging points. Neil Walter said reviews would take place for home and public electrical vehicle charging points, with significant work to be carried out in 2022.

Councillor Davies asked if it was possible for residents to purchase something similar to a book of tickets to park in car parks in central Windsor, and the Forum was informed the council was working on strategies to discourage outer Windsor residents to drive into the centre, in line with reducing congestion and pollution. Councillor Davies said less able residents would need some support.

Councillor Price said residents were concerned about the lack of enforcement of parking regulations outside of schools during peak times. There were not enough community wardens outside schools and lack of enforcement of the restrictions. Councillor Cannon said community wardens did not enforce parking, but rather a company that enforced parking under legislation, including double yellow lines, resident parking bays and school hazard lines. Concerns of an area not being effectively enforced could be raised on the borough’s website, which would be dealt directly by the company.

Councillor Price said there were not enough people enforcing parking and Neil Walter said there was an increase number of restrictions and fewer people in the parking enforcement team. Alternative options were expensive, such as static or mobile cameras outside of schools, CCTV, and the technology to support these. Community wardens provided good education on enforcement, but some parents disregarded children’s safety.

Councillor Davey said the plan to increase electric spaces would cost approximately £20 million, and if all vehicles were electric by 2030 in the UK, the UK would require 200% of the current production of the world’s cobalt. The Chairman said there would be a need for extra power stations to produce electricity and said hydrogen cars may overtake Tesla, with the by-product of water.

Councillor Bateson said there were spaces on the outskirts of Windsor for park and ride facilities for workers and residents. Neil Walter said there was a park and ride service running in LEGOLAND®; however, the concern was the traffic flow from north and east if Windsor. Councillor Bateson said the park and ride service was not advertised widely.

John Webb said it was some distance for West Windsor residents to travel to central Windsor without a car and with no other alternative at a similar timescale. The Chairman said it was difficult to accommodate every possibility and to cater to increased parking and reduce car use for the environment.

John Webb asked why west Windsor residents were being disadvantaged whilst central Windsor residents were considered for parking permits. The Chairman said there was no space for additional parking in Windsor town. John Webb suggested bus or shuttle services, cycling schemes, car share schemes and discounts for parking. The Chairman said there was a cost to public transport and John Webb said there was a cost to pollution and parking issues too. John Webb said a park and ride system could be created to solve these problems. Councillor Knowles said there used to be bus services available to central Windsor that were efficient and cheap but no longer ran.

The Panel noted the item.