Wednesday 27 November 2013

SKDC to approve updated Residents' Parking Scheme!

While there has not been a lot to update everyone on, the council officers have been busy working up a residents’ parking scheme, in discussion with the residents' action group. The good news is that we have now seen the proposed Residents’ Parking Scheme that goes to the SKDC cabinet for approval on 2 December 2013. The key points are:


·         A permit will allow you to stay in the time restricted bays in the Scheme Zone Mon-Sun, without restriction
·         There will be a single  Scheme Zone for Stamford rather than the 5 initially proposed.
·         You can have one permit per household, but up to 4 cars listed on it – Cost £50 pa
·         Books of 10 visitor day permits will be available as well (with or without a permit) – Cost £15
·         Businesses can also use the scheme
·         The Scheme Zone extended from the earlier proposal  to include Barnack Rd, but excludes Gresley Drive
·         The Scheme Zone excludes Short/Long Term Parks, part of Bath Row and part of Broad St
·         Only cars and bikes will be eligible – permits will not be available for trailers, caravans or vans
·         The new scheme should be in place before the current permits expire (31 March 2014)
·         The scheme can be applied District-wide
 
It still needs to be approved and implemented, but it looks like SKDC have listened to what we have been saying to them, which is a result for residents as well as businesses and visitors to Stamford.
If you want to know more, see item 6 on the SKDC cabinet agenda:  http://moderngov.southkesteven.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=164&MId=2925
 
Scheme Zone:
 
 


Wednesday 6 March 2013

SKDC announce results of Parking Survey...

.. but it is not good news.

SKDC have just published the results of the parking survey: http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5026

It is not good news as it shows that there was not enough support to proceed with a scheme in any of the zones. Even when they looked at the results on an individual street level there were too few people willing to pay for a scheme to make it work economically.
 
We are very disappointed that SKDC deemed the scheme did not meet its specific criteria, but not totally surprised given:
  • the increase in size of the zones consulted, and
  • people who did not respond were assumed to be against the proposal
  • this stacked the outcome against us.

We have asked SKDC for the detailed results, but we have not yet seen them.
 
This does not remove the issue for residents; indeed there are individual streets where the majority are in favour of a scheme. SKDC have decided these are too small to be cost effective, but not said anything about what they intend to do instead.
 
We now need SKDC and LCC to reconsider our original proposal - a waiver exempting residents from the 1 and 2 hour restrictions. This has the advantage of being much simpler (and cheaper) to implement. The temporary arrangement already in place shows that this is legally possible and, as these are already in use, do not impact materially on the available parking. We would like SKDC to show their support in making this happen.
 
We would also like clarification from SKDC about what they are doing for residents in their off-street car parks. Why can’t this be done for free, as in Bourne?
 
The only ‘good’ news is that SKDC have confirmed that the season tickets and waivers will last until at  least the end of May.

Our best action now is for everyone to let our LCC councillors know what we want:

Cllr John Hicks
Cllr David Brailsford
Martin Trollope-Bellew

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Only 3 days left to get your questionnaire in!

Responses to the SKDC parking survey need to be returned to the SKDC office in Maiden Lane by the end of Friday, 1 Feb.

If you haven't completed yours yet, please do so - SKDC are treating all non-responders as if they are voting against the scheme, which means it is really important to have your say.

Even if you don't need one yourself, think about:

- Friends and family who want to stay or visit for more than 2 hours
- Tradesmen working at your property

RESPONSES NEED TO BE IN BY THIS FRIDAY (1/2/13)

Lost it? You can download the letter and questionnaire here:  SKDC Forms

Thursday 24 January 2013

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE?

We have had a few questions about the questionnaire that SKDC sent out this week. We have asked SKDC for some clarification and, based on their responses, we have summarised this into guidance that you may find useful:


I currently have unrestricted on-street parking at my house. Why have I been sent the survey?
Consultation is being carried out with everyone in the designated scheme areas (‘zones’) identified by the council. Unrestricted parking close to the town centre will be impacted if the scheme is not approved as displaced residents seek new unrestricted parking spaces. Some unrestricted parking could be converted to resident-only spaces, but we have not yet seen detail from SKDC.

What counts as ‘accessible off street parking’ at my property?
This is land that you own at, or adjacent to, your house where you are able to park at least 1 car. Unadopted roads to the rear or public verges do not count.

I sometimes park on street, sometimes off street. Which boxes should I tick on Question 7?
If you park any car on street during the time slot then you should tick that box. The box should be ticked even if this is only one day of the week and only for part of the time.

I have one of the reduced rate season tickets for the SKDC car park. How does this change my answers?
If you always park in the car park, this counts as ‘off street’ parking in Q5. However if you only use it some of the time then answer all questions as if you did not have the season ticket.

I rent a garage away from my property. How do I take this into account?
If you always park in the garage, this counts as ‘off street’ parking in Q5. However if you only use it some of the time then answer all questions as if you do not have the garage..