The Parking Principal, Neil Walter, gave Members an update on Central Windsor issues.  It was noted that changes to River Street Car Park were due over the next two to three months with the replacement of the pay and display system to a barrier display system.  Members were informed that a number of teething problems had been raised as a number of private businesses entered and exited the Car Park including the Bowls Club.  It was noted that the car park would be fully monitored 24/7 by a private company.  The Parking Principal explained that the system could be developed in the future to incorporate blue badge free parking, etc and deliveries.  Members were informed that the Parking Principal would like to put a scheme in so payments could be made online and where the barrier would recognise cars and lift automatically on entry and exit. 

The Parking Principal informed Members that the loading bays in Thames Street had been changed to allow general use in evenings.  It was noted that the visitors and residents of Windsor were benefitting from the free parking in the evenings.

Members were informed that the Council was continuing to review where additional parking could be freed up in Windsor along with the removal of pay and display parking and business parking in Francis Road, Adelaide Square for resident’s benefits.

The Parking Principal explained that there were approximately 17 schemes in various implementation / development stages in Windsor.  Members were informed that the Council was looking to make parking available at the Great Park. 

It was noted that the Council continued to speak to residents regarding scheme requests and stated that there were currently over 270 schemes on the list.  Members were informed that the Council hoped to do 150 schemes per year and that this year over 200 schemes had already been completed to date.

The Parking Principal informed Members that the Council was currently working on an overarching parking strategy for the whole of the Royal Borough which was planned for early next year.  It was noted that the initial drafts were currently being worked on and that approval would be sought over the Christmas period. 

Members were informed that with regard to traffic congestion a potential scheme to remove 100 coaches from the Coach Park and relocate them to Windsor Racecourse was under discussion.  It was noted that the Council was also looking at ways in and out of Windsor (particularly the Windsor Girls School and St Leonards Road area) to help free up traffic.  The Parking Principal requested that the Highways Team be contacted if specific areas needed to be looked at. 

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

·      That the Thames Street improvements had made a big improvement but that a resident felt that taxi drivers were abusing the parking spaces that had been made available outside Zizzis which was resulting in very little benefit to residents.  It was suggested that an off-site taxi rank be created so taxis could wait elsewhere.  The Parking Principal explained that the taxi drivers were well within their rights to park in the spaces outside Zizzis.

·      The Parking Principal stated that Maidenhead had an abundance of free on-street parking unlike Windsor and that it would be wrong of him to suggest that Windsor should lose its only free parking bays.  It was noted that whilst the Parking Principal would be happy to put in pay and display for the three parking bays outside Zizzis he did not believe it was something that would be supported by residents.   

·      That advantage card machines were checked on a daily basis to ensure they were working correctly.  It was noted that the advantage card machines were very old and that the Council was looking at new technology to move away from the need to have cards. 

·      Councillor John Bowden stated that the bollards were working on Peascod Street and questioned the numbers going past at 11:00 and what was being done about the shop owners having free parking.  It was requested that parking supervisors be asked to keep an eye on the area to ensure it wasn’t being used inappropriately.  The Parking Principal explained that the area was monitored by CCTV cameras located at Tinkers Lane.  It was agreed that the Parking Principal would ask why vehicles were being allowed to park in the area outside specific hours.

The Acting Chairman thanked the Parking Principal for the update.