Eastbourne (Denton Road) parking consultation

Overview

We have received a number of requests to introduce a permit parking scheme in your area because of parking difficulties caused by local workers, students, and other visitors leaving their vehicles parked all day.

We try to manage the needs of all users and are informally consulting on proposals to introduce shared parking bays to this area. We want to seek your views on parking in your road and whether you would support the introduction of a permit parking scheme.

The shared parking bays will be available to permit holders without a time limit and to anyone else for a period of up to two hours.

The proposed permit scheme will operate from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6pm. Each qualifying household will be able to purchase up to two annual resident permits, expected to cost £25 for the first permit and £75 for the second.

Each household can buy up to 150 visitor permits each year costing 50p each (blue badge holders can buy up to 300 visitor permits costing 25p each), even if they do not hold a resident parking permit themselves.

Non permit holders will be able to park for up to two hours free of charge.

Businesses requiring use of their vehicles throughout the day would be able to buy up to six permits. The expected cost is £220 per year per permit for this zone and £420 per year per permit for all zones in Eastbourne. A business permit can be used in up to three vehicles.

If a majority of responses to this consultation are in favour of a permit scheme we will draw up detailed plans and consult with you again in September 2016 before any formal changes are advertised.

We believe that parking schemes are beneficial to residents and businesses but there are some points you should be aware of:

• There will be no free all-day parking for non permit holders - during the operating hours parking for non permit holders will be limited to two hours
• Penalty charge notices may be issued to vehicles parked for longer than two hours without a valid permit.
• Money raised will pay for administration, enforcement and maintenance costs of the scheme, any surplus has to be spent on improving transport facilities in the area.
• Preventing dangerous, obstructive and inconsiderate parking often improves traffic flow around the area.
• There will be better access for emergency vehicles and public transport.
• There will be improved safety for all road users and reduced congestion from circulating traffic.
• The total amount of space available for parking may be reduced as yellow lines may be needed near junctions.  
• Permit and time restrictions will only apply during the hours of control.The number of permits issued will be limited and depending on demand a waiting list may be operated.
• Having a permit will not guarantee a parking space.
• Not all properties will be eligible for a permit, such as developments with off street parking.

Why your views matter

The proposals follow requests from local residents who want new controls to be introduced. We want to hear your views on the consultation.

The review is at an early stage and no decisions have been made. We would like to know if you think the introduction of such a scheme would be beneficial to your area and your comments will help us reach a decision about whether to proceed with the proposal.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to this consultation.

What happens next

After the closing date of 8 August 2016 we will process all responses.

Depending on the level of support for the proposals we will decide one of the following ways forward.

1. If there is a low level of support for the proposals there will be no further action.
2. If there are a high number of suggested alternatives, these will be considered. We will then change the proposals before undertaking formal consultation.
3. If there is a high level of support for the proposals, detailed plans will be drawn up and further consultation will take place. If this further consultation shows that the majority of loca addresses support the introduction of the scheme, a draft Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be written and advertised allowing 21 days for formal consultation. If there are no objections the restrictions will be introduced and the draft TRO made permanent. If objections are received, we will need to consider these and present a report to Planning Committee for a decision.