Last week I published a couple of articles relating to the council's intention to introduce parking restrictions at a number of defined locations at the Scheme Houses. Full background details can be found in this link: Update on the council's proposal to introduce parking restrictions at the Scheme House
Since then I've made representations to the council on behalf of residents who understandably have concerns about the impact these restrictions might have in terms of displacing their vehicles, especially when there are severely limited on-street parking spaces elsewhere.
I've now received a response from the council and I've reproduced their comments below in full. I'm preparing to go back to the council with further comments so if you have anything you would like me to raise on your behalf please let me know by emailing me at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk
Good afternoon Cllr Crute,
These proposals are being introduced to support Rule 243 of the Highway Code which states:
'Do not stop or park opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space.'
This rule is designed to:
- Maintain clear visibility for drivers entering or
exiting junctions,
- Ensure emergency and larger vehicles can manoeuvre
safely,
- And reduce the risk of accidents caused by obstructed
views.
We recognise that with the continued rise in car ownership, on-street parking has become increasingly common. While we aim to accommodate this where possible, it must be balanced with the need to maintain safety and accessibility. As such, residents are not guaranteed parking directly outside their homes, though we do strive to keep the extent of restrictions to a minimum while addressing the concerns raised.
With regard to the potential displacement of parking near the park, the relevant team has been notified and will assess the current traffic calming measures in that area in relation to vehicle speeds. With regard to displacement, this will be assessed by our team to ensure that any further restrictions are precisely targeted, avoiding the unnecessary removal of additional parking.
During the informal consultation stage, we notified directly affected frontages to ensure awareness of the proposals. The current on-site notices serve as the formal advertisement and provide an opportunity for all interested parties to submit comments. For your reference, I’ve attached a list of the properties that received letters during the informal stage, along with a plan highlighting the affected frontages.
In response to the suggestion of time-based restrictions aligned with refuse collection, this is not a viable option in this instance. Access for larger vehicles, including emergency services, must be maintained at all times. As previously mentioned, we have sought to limit the scope of the proposals to balance resident parking needs with essential access requirements.
