PRESS RELEASE
Issued by: Councillor Jean Quinn
Cabinet Member, Streetscene and Transport Services
Date of Issue: February 1st 2007
Contact number:
0151 334 1923

Door still open for residents' parking

Wirral Council's Cabinet last night agreed to take no further action on several pilot residents' parking schemes across the borough after consultation resulted in a ‘thumbs down'.

Cabinet members also agreed to write to residents on the list of outstanding schemes informing them of the new criteria, set last year, and how they could re-apply. Area Forums will now provide an opportunity for residents to pursue parking schemes at a local level.

Councillor Jean Quinn, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport Services said,

“We do not intend to scrap all new parking schemes.

“Although the response to the pilot schemes was so negative, I would still like to leave open the option of residents' parking where it's appropriate.”

The criteria for residents' parking schemes, discussed last December and finalised in March, include stipulations that there should be 80% support for a scheme, and that it should normally involve 300 households.

The agreed recommendation:

Cabinet August 16 2007

Item 18: RESIDENT PARKING SCHEMES – RESIDENTS' AND LOCAL BUSINESS RESPONSES TO THE PILOT CONSULTATION EXERCISE

That:

1. owing to the threshold of 80% support for the implementation of residents' parking schemes from both the residents and businesses in the seven pilot areas not being met no further action be taken in these seven pilot areas;
2. officers be thanked for the undertaking of this comprehensive consultation exercise which has involved the distribution of approximately 1500 letters, leaflets and questionnaires;
3. Cabinet confirms that all future requests for residential parking schemes should meet the criteria of 80% support, normally involve 300 households and should demonstrate agreement to charging;
4. Cabinet further considers that the Area Forums should be asked to ensure that the requisite levels of support and other criteria are met before referral to the Technical Services Department for consideration;
5. the historic requests for residential parking areas, which are held on the list and do not meet these criteria , be cleared ;
6. the Director of Technical Services write to all lead petitioners on the current list informing them of the decision, explaining the pilot study results and the criteria which need to be met if they wish to pursue their petitions via their Area Forum.

Proposed by: Councillor Jean Quinn