Kingsdown and Clifton – first Bristol areas to have new residents' parking zones
Residents' parking zones could come into force in two areas of Bristol by the end of next year.
The city council plans to introduce the controversial pilot schemes to Kingsdown and Brandon Hill in Clifton.
More than 3,000 households would be affected by the permanent measures which, if approved, would be in place by December 2009.
The two zones were chosen after a consultation carried out earlier this year showed more than half the residents living in the areas were in favour of some kind of parking permit scheme.
A further consultation process with residents in the affected areas will take place in new year if the council's ruling Labour cabinet decides to press ahead with the scheme when it meets on November 27.
If it does, the city council will spend around £810,000 putting the schemes in place and a further £235,000 a year to keep it up and running.
Permits will cost £30 for one car, a further £80 for a second car and an extra £200 for households whose owners want to park three cars.
In homes which are divided into flats, each council tax payer will be able to apply for their own pass, costing £30 each for the first car.
And permits for visitors will be issued, with the first 50 being free and the second 50 costing £1 each.
Extra pay-and-display zones will be set up around streets in the areas where businesses depend on passing trade – such as shops and hairdressers.
Parking there is likely to be free for the first 15 minutes of a stay.
Other issues, such as the number of permits allowed for multi-occupancy homes and the maximum number of permits allowed per household, are yet to be decided and will be subject to further consultation.
Permits will be attached to the household and likely to be allocated according to vehicle registration.
In all, 53,000 homes around the fringes of the city centre were consulted over the prospect of having residents parking zones in force 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
By the end of the six-week consultation on August 1 this year, more than 13,000 responses were received, along with another 200 letters and 400 emails.
Kingsdown and Brandon Hill were two of the areas with the most positive feedback – more than 50 per cent in both cases.
These areas are now set to have further public consultation as to the exact proposals: which roads the zone would extend to, hours of operation and so on.
The zones would then need to be further publicised before coming into effect by December 2009.
Mark Bradshaw, Bristol City Council's executive member in charge of transport, said: "This is an opportunity for us to really get to grips with the traffic issues that affect these areas. When they are in operation I think the majority of people will actually welcome them, although I am aware that there may be a knock-on effect to streets on the boundaries of these areas.
"The revenue raised from these schemes will be separate from the rest of the council budget and will not be allowed to be used for anything else.
"It will be an open book, so people will be able to see what goes in and what goes out in terms of expenditure.
"The idea that this is a cash cow for the city council is complete and utter rubbish – if we wanted to raise money then trust me, this would not be the way to do it."
The plan will go before the city council's scrutiny commission on November 24 and before the city council cabinet on November 27.
42 Comments
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by Roger, Clifton
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 2:32PM
“It's time the government and local councils stopped using a stick and tried the carrot approach. The whole country suffers with the same problem LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT provide a decent transport system and people will be happy to leave their cars at home. I've lived and run a business in the same Clifton Street for more than 30 years and nothing has change. The council continue to allow and encourage the building and conversion of more homes and office's and demanding this is done without supportive parking, I guess this is because they get more revenue from rates etc, and leaves the locals to put up with the ever-increasing congestion.
WE HAVE TO SAY NO TO PARKING SCEAMS UNTILL THE COUNCIL GET THERE PRIORITIES RIGHT AND PROVIDE APROPRIATE TRANSPORT.”
by Davina, Cotham
Monday, November 24 2008, 11:11AM
“I am totally in favour of the scheme and agree with the person from St Matthews Road - bring it on!! I am sick of my road being a free car park for commuters who pollute our road each day with their noise and fumes. A few months ago the road was closed due to road works. Commuters stopped parking here for a while. The difference was incredible - quieter, safer and cleaner. I cannot understand why people are so against it, none of their arguments make any sense to me. I live in a house with a beautiful raised pavement outside which prevents me from bulldozing my front garden and paving it over to provide a parking space. It is one of the few pavements in the area that you can safely walk down without fear of being mown down by someone pulling in or out of their off road parking space. The safety of my road will be greatly improved with the introduction of residents parking. Oh, and I would also be able to park my car near my home.”
by Cameron, Kingsdown
Tuesday, November 18 2008, 1:29PM
“Aside from the bickering, this is excellent news. Thankyou Mark Bradshaw for pressing ahead despite the loud campaigning of a minority of commuters and shopkeepers. I can't wait for the day when our street is no longer a free car park, and I don't wake up every day to a queue of cars and vans outside jostling for a space. This is the right thing to do, and the obvious companion to it is better public transport, which I hope the council will now concentrate on.”
by Howard, Somerset
Monday, November 17 2008, 3:40PM
“Alex: Our mutual friend: he's either playing devil's advocate, or has truly "lost it". Probably a lost cause anyway so best to ignore. No mileage in talking to a brick wall.
On to the next one!”
by Stan Fermunder, Central Bristol, looking at "Hummers" for sale.
Monday, November 17 2008, 12:57PM
“Ignorance is bliss!!!
Alex, Bristol commented on 17-Nov-2008 12:02
That must explain why you walk around with a permanent grin on your face, High Priest of the Puritanical Cycling Sect.”
by Alex, Bristol
Monday, November 17 2008, 12:02PM
“oh, someone woke up "Angry Stan"!!
Ignorance is bliss!!”
by Stan Fermunder, Central Bristol
Monday, November 17 2008, 11:00AM
“"Tosh! What makes you think that the council owes you a free piece of public land to park your private property on? If you can't provide proper storage for your vehicle then perhaps you shouldn't own one. When you live in a city why on earth do you need a car, anyway?
"Sadly, an entirely predicable collection of responses one would expect from addicts struggling to justify their habit.
I believe that it's called "denial".
Howard, Somerset "
No, Howard, old chum, your above posts are self-righteous, whether you like it or not. You, and the other disciples of the Puritancal Cycling Sect WORSHIP at the altar of Self -Righteousness and try to force your minority opinions on the vast majority. If you want to live your Puritanical lifestyle, then so br it, but don't try to force it on us. The majority.
And it ain't a "bike", I'd rather staple my eyelids shut, or spend an hour with your Puritanical Sect. Presently it's a Bentley, soon to be a Hummer. Just to annoy the likes of you.”
by Howard, Somerset
Monday, November 17 2008, 8:35AM
“Stan Fermunder accusing others of self-righteousness.
That's a good one!
Pot.
Kettle.
Black.
On your bike, Stanley, old chum!”
by Ron, Bristol
Sunday, November 16 2008, 10:25AM
“How can the words:
M Bradshaw & trust me ever be in the same sentence?
If it's not a cash cow then all they have to do is make parking limited between certain times like they do on Hotwell Road where parking is only permitted for 1 hour between the hours of 10.00 - 16.45 - it really is that simple.”
by Stan Fermunder, At home, nowhere near this crackpot scheme.
Sunday, November 16 2008, 7:13AM
“On another note, tonight, I saw a cyclist, riding on the ROAD, with LIGHTS ON, STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT!!! Who do I write to to claim my prize?
Wasn't one of your puritans was it, High Priest of Self-Righteousness? Or should I call you "Mark Bradshaw"?”