Agenda item

Report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services.

The Cabinet Member with Local Services Portfolio introduced the report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services (previously circulated) advising Members of the receipt of two objections to a proposal for waiting restrictions on George Stephenson Drive and requesting that consideration be given to whether to proceed with the proposal.

The submitted report stated that concerns had been received from residents via a Ward Councillor in respect of the parking on the bend of George Stephenson Drive on the approach to the junction with West Auckland Road; residents were currently parking on and around the bend which was causing visibility issues for vehicles entering and leaving George Stephenson Drive; Officers had previously consulted on solutions to manage parking at this location and received numerous informal objections on both occasions; since then there had been additional development adjacent which had exacerbated the issue; and that further informal and formal consultation had been undertaken on a proposal for waiting restrictions to prevent parking and improve the visibility/road safety issues, as shown on the plan appended to the submitted report.

It was reported that there had been four submissions to the statutory consultation, once of which was fully supportive of the proposal; one submission stated restrictions were not sufficient; and two objections to the scheme.

Particular reference was made at the meeting as to why the parking restrictions had not been implemented earlier.

RESOLVED - That the objections received, as detailed in the submitted report, be set aside and officers be authorised to proceed with the proposal to introduce the waiting restriction scheme as shown at Appendix A to the submitted report.

REASON - To improve the traffic flow, visibility and road safety of vehicles entering and leaving George Stephenson Drive.  The Council, acting in its capacity as the Highway Authority, have a duty of care to ensure the safety of the travelling public and a duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004 to maintain the expeditious movement of traffic.