I just got this press release from the council about introducing residents' parking in part of neighbouring Redlands Ward. Having spent a number of years working to address problems at the boundary of the residents' parking zone in Newtown I have deep concerns about this scheme. The boundary appears to be arbitrary rather than a natural barrier such as a main road, river or railway line. I have asked officers to ensure that residents in nearby roads such as Crescent Road, Bulmershe Road, College Road, Culver Road, Whiteknights Road, Green Road to Holmes Road and Hamilton Road have their say.
Next Stage of Consultation on Residents' Parking in University / Hospital Area
17/05/2012
Reading Borough Council Press Release
Moves to give parking priority to residents of the hospital and university area of Reading are progressing with the next stage of public consultation beginning this week.
Outside of the town centre, the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the University of Reading are two of the most significant places that people want to travel to and from in Reading. The area attracts high numbers of staff, visitors, patients and students, and is key to the local economy. This can however mean local residents vying with visitors for the same limited number of parking spaces.
As a result, Reading Borough Council embarked on a major consultation exercise last year with a view to identifying - with the help of local residents _ how the high demand for road space in the area is best handled.
Questionnaires and feedback from a public drop in session in November 2011 have now been looked at in detail and show many requests from residents themselves for a Residents' Parking Scheme in individual streets. The other main issues raised by residents include congestion, speeding and the need for more pedestrian facilities.
Local ward councillors in the area have now asked Council officers to develop options for a possible Residents' Parking Scheme. The aim of any scheme would be to maximise the availability of on-street parking for residents, allow for other reasonable parking demands for visitors to the area, and minimise displacement of parking demand from one road to another. If a decision is taken to implement such a scheme, residents would receive their first permit free of charge.
A Residents Parking Scheme questionnaire is this week being posted through letterboxes in the area asking for people's views on a possible scheme. There will also be another drop-in event at St Luke's Hall, Erleigh Road on Friday May 25 between 2pm to 7pm where the public can hear more about the detail of a scheme and ask any questions they may have. Consultation questionnaire materials will also be available to view at the Civic Centre and online at:
Questionnaires need to be returned by Friday June 1. Once forms are received the next stage will be to analyse responses and report back to Local Councillors once more. If residents continue to indicate that they support the introduction of a Residents' Parking Scheme, a formal consultation will follow in the summer to define how the scheme will work at an individual street level.
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