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Agenda item

Changes to Parking Charges Consultation

Cathryn James, Assistant Director of Public Protection

Minutes:

Councillor Tobin Byers, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health introduced the rationale behind the proposed changes and then the detail was presented by Cath James, Assistant Director for Public Protection, and Ben Stephens, Head of Parking Services. The presentation slides are an appendix to this report. 

 

Cllr Byers said that the wider determinants of health, including the environment have a huge impact and that the council was keen to use the levers it has to influence behaviours that will have a positive impact. In this case the proposal is to encourage behaviours that will improve Air Quality and encourage Active Travel. Tobin said he understood this was a difficult issue and there would be opposition but this was a serious issue that required challenging choices.

 

The consultation would begin on 29 March and would run until 5 May. The results would then be reported to Scrutiny and Cabinet. The Council is also looking into emissions based charging and would be reviewing the diesel levy but these will be considered in the autumn so are not part of this consultation. The consultation can be found at https://www.merton.gov.uk/streets-parking-transport/parking/charges-consultation-2019   

 

The consultation is featured in the latest My Merton and notices have been posted on streets effected. Notices will also be published in the Wimbledon Times and there will be a link on the home page of the Council website. The consultation will also be promoted on social media and with key stakeholder groups. To respond you can complete an online survey, send in an email to ParkingConsultation2019@merton.gov.uk or write to the Council at Parking Consultation 2019, Parking Services, Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX

 

Residents raised a number of issues as set out below along with the response from the team where relevant:

 

Issue  Response

 

 

The PTAL does not reflect the reality of the quality of public transport

This is a widely use Transport for London assessment.

The charges will not change behaviour, there is no evidence supporting this and there is no target for the reduction in car use.

The proposals aim to be fair and reasonable and nudge rather be too blunt a tool.

Parked cars do not have an impact on air quality whereas the following do:

•           Taxis idling at the station

•           Buses

•           HGVs

•           Construction/development

•           Mopeds blocking free parking outside the station

Cars do move and it is a choice to keep one. The Council is working with TfL to move taxis and buses to lower emission vehicles and is also beginning an anti-idling campaign. Planners consider the impact on air quality of all applications and there is a section on air quality in the draft Local Plan. The Council is working with Love Wimbledon to identify a better position for the delivery mopeds.

No charges for those with private driveways or outside controlled parking zones

The proposals form part of a much larger picture to tackle Air Quality but is an important lever the Council can use.

Negative impact on retailers of increasing charges

The 20min free bays in the smaller retail centres are unaffected.

Cycling lanes are in poor condition and infrastructure not good enough to encourage active travel

Addressing this forms part of the plans for Local Improvement Programme (LIP) that is being agreed with Transport for London

             

Cllr Byers summed up by explaining that any income from parking charges or enforcement is restricted to transport related projects including the £9m cost of Freedom Passes, road infrastructure and addressing air quality. Additional income will help us do more but the object is to reduce the number of cars in Merton, and therefore issue less permits.

 

Parking is not the only issue in relation to air quality and the Air Quality Action plan sets out more than 70 measures the council is taking: https://www.merton.gov.uk/communities-and-neighbourhoods/pollution/air-quality-and-air-pollution/local-air-quality-management  

 

The consultation is just beginning and residents are encouraged to take part and to document any concerns. All the responses will be weighed up before a decision is taken. 

Supporting documents: