Proposed parking restrictions in Tanhouse Lane and Amery Hill (20 May 2002)

I have just returned wet and bedraggled from a site meeting to discuss the proposed restrictions with residents.

• There were no objections at the meeting to the proposals for Steeple Drive. There would be three parking spaces opposite the vet’s and these would be moved slightly to make it safer.
• The plan was to allow overnight parking (6 pm – 9 am) on the section of Amery Hill above Steeple drive, but this received little support and much criticism. A better proposal seemed to be to allow overnight parking on the church side of Amery Hill from Steeple where the road is wide enough, opposite the vet’s. I will consult the fire service to see if they have any objections to this suggestion.
• The proposal would allow two spaces for overnight parking in the small lay-by just below the church; it was felt that two cars parked there would stop large vehicles waiting in the lay-by for vehicles coming up the hill. One space would work but the fire service needs to be consulted.
• The proposal to restrict parking in Tanhouse Lane divided the meeting. Supporters were persuaded by the facts that:
  • an ambulance had been blocked by parked cars on three occasions recently;
  • there is no pavement for 60% of the lane;
  • where the road is wide enough for parking it is only wide enough because at least half the width is privately owned. If parking is allowed, as now, on the north side of the lane, then traffic is forced to drive over private land;
  • much of the problem during the day was from staff in local businesses
• Opponents of the proposals felt that:
  • they were being deprived of free parking opportunities and would have to pay £400 a year for a season ticket;
  • unaccompanied women felt uncomfortable walking from the car park into Tanhouse Lane at night;
  • the local business parking could be addressed by discussions with local businesses.
• My own view is that:
  • when the lane is blocked by parked cars it makes it impossible to use the parking spaces at the end of the lane;
  • resticting parking in the lane would unblock it and give free access to the spaces at the end of the lane;
  • there would be an increase in the number of usable spaces if parking were restricted in the lane and EHDC could be persuaded to increase the number of spaces provided on their land at the end of the lane;
  • EHDC should be persuaded to reduce season tickets for local residents;
  • another measure that would help local residents would be for EHDC to give them an amnesty between 8 am and 9 am in the morning so that they can park overnight for free and not be caught out because of a late start the following morning (a small charge might be made for such an amnesty);
  • some of the problems would be mitigated by residents’ parking permits and this should be explored as soon as possible.
• Athough it is not shown on the map, the consultation proposes double yellow lines in Amery Street from Market Street down to the bottom of Amery Hill (at the moment there are single yellow lines). My view is that this is daft. The traffic speed is reduced by speed tables and cars parked on this stretch have a further calming effect.

I will follow up the suggestions mmade here and report back through the press and on this web site.