Purpose

Review of the hours of control, charges and conditions for parking across all council public car parks and four location on-street (Whielden Street, Old Amersham, King George V Road, Amersham, Station Approach, Little Chalfont and Quoiting Square, Marlow).

Decision

Buckinghamshire Council was responsible for the highway network within its boundary; this included the provision and management of restrictions both on-street and in its off-street car parks. Across Buckinghamshire there was a disparity between the charging periods, which stemmed from legacy arrangements. Furthermore, there was also an increase in the utilisation of parking spaces on evenings, Sundays, and Bank Holidays.

In February 2024 the Council’s Parking Strategy was approved at Cabinet setting out the strategic direction of travel for the service and also to support the delivery of the medium-term financial plan. A key theme of the approved parking strategy was to harmonise hours of control and charges across the county to ensure a consistent experience and equitable approach.

Between 23rd January 2024 and 18th February 2024, a statutory traffic order consultation was undertaken, the purpose of which, was to consult on proposals to start to harmonise the hours of control for the on-street parking areas and the conditions of use within the authority’s car parks. Details of the proposals can be reviewed in Appendix 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the report. The Cabinet Members all confirmed that they had considered the consultation responses.

RESOLVED –

(1)               That the making of the Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for the proposals outlined in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report be APPROVED.

(2)               That the TROs be made as advertised during the statutory consultation subject to the following amendments in relation to “The Buckinghamshire Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2021”:

(i)                 Site 14 – Amend the site location to Buckingham.

(ii)               Site 53 – Amend the site name to Gossmore Recreation Ground.

(iii)             Site 94 – Amend the site name to South Buckinghamshire Golf Course.

(iv)             Site 95 – Amend the site name to New South Buckinghamshire Country Park.