Purpose

On the 31 March 2025 a new
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the Borough of Dacorum (Town
Centres) (On-Street Parking Places) Order 2025 came into force.
This followed informal and formal consultation carried out in-line
with guidance for this statutory process.
 
As part of TRO, changes were
made to the High Street at Tring as follows:
 

Introduction of
charges to the limited waiting bays between Akeman Street and
Langdon Street (12 vehicle lengths) of £0.80 for 30 minutes
and £1.50 for 1 hour.

 

Changes to the time
of operation of all limited waiting bays from Monday-Saturday
8.30am-6.30pm to Monday-Sunday (including bank holidays)
8am-6pm

 
No changes were made to the 2
hour no return during the hours of operation.
 
As part of the introduction of
charges, no pay and display machines were installed with sessions
having to be bought via PayByPhone utilising either their app or
calling the number on the relevant advisory signage.
 
Representation has been made
formally and informally that the introduction of charges
particularly is affecting businesses on the high street along with
the distinct relationship a mall town high street has with its
local community and the importance of free, short-term, on-street
parking for both customers and local businesses.
 
Initial data does not support
this but discussions with stakeholders are ongoing, and they
identified minor changes that were considered helpful and that
could be implemented without carrying out a full amendment to the
TRO. 
 
The Council has committed to
carrying out a review of the changes that were made to understand
their full impact. This review is ongoing whilst further data is
gathered and discussions with stakeholders continue before a
further TRO is brought forward. The Council is working to balance
the parking needs of residents, local businesses and their
employees with supporting a thriving high street.

Decision

Decision made and reasons:
 
1.    
To approve a Notice of Variation being issued to the
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the Borough of Dacorum (Town
Centres) (On-Street Parking Places) Order 2025 to remove the
£0.80 charge for 30 minutes and make free of charge (subject
to still purchasing a valid session) for the section of High Street
at Tring between Akeman Street and Langdon Street (12 vehicle
lengths). The £1.50 charge for 1 hour will be
retained.
 
2.    
Approve funds being drawn down from the Parking
Reserve account to cover the costs associated with the Notice of
Variation along with any changes to the statutory signage and road
marking.