Agenda item

This report presents Members with the outcome of the recent formal consultation on changes to the Traffic Regulation Order with regard to on-street parking fees and charges and makes recommendations to the Borough Council’s Cabinet.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services presented the outcome of the recent formal consultation on changes to the Traffic Regulation Order with regard to on-street parking fees and charges. 

At the October and November 2023 meetings of Cabinet, Members considered and approved a number of proposals relating to both on and off-street parking fees and charges subject to full consultation.  The detail of the on-street proposals was attached at Annex 2 to the report.  The proposals included amendments to on-street parking arrangements in Avebury Avenue in Tonbridge, the introduction of charges to the High Street and Swan Street in West Malling and changes to the loading bay in West Malling High Street. In accordance with the statutory requirements, a formal consultation was undertaken on the proposed changes and the responses were attached at Annexes 9.1 to 9.4 to the report.

During discussion regarding the proposed changes to parking bays in Avebury Avenue, the D1 permit holder parking proposal to meet the needs of residents in Iron, Steel and Copper Houses, was not supported by Members on the grounds that the proposal was not permissible due to planning constraints.

Consideration was given to the proposals in respect of West Malling High Street and Swan Street.  Although the proposal to introduce Pay and Display parking charges for on-street parking for up to 4 hours was supported, it was recommended that the proposed parking charges for 30 minutes and 1 hour be removed, allowing free parking for up to 1 hour.

Members discussed the proposed changes to the on-street fees, in particular the resident’s on-street permit charges, and agreed the new charges as detailed in Annex 2 to the report.

RECOMMENDED*: That

(1)    the proposals for Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, excluding D1 residential permit parking for the properties in Iron, Steel and Cooper Houses, be agreed, and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(2)    the proposals for the introduction of on-street charges in West Malling High Street and Swan Street be introduced, subject to an amendment that the proposed parking charges for West Malling High Street and Swan Street for 30 minutes and 1 hour be removed and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(3)    the proposal for the loading bay in West Malling High Street be introduced, the future level of enforcement and size of signs be reviewed and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes; and

(4)    the changes to the on-street fees and charges be implemented as advertised and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes.

*Recommended to Cabinet