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 Kings Langley as follows:
 

Reduction of the 1
hour limited waiting bays to 30 minutes on the sections between
Vicarage Lane and Common Lane (4 bays), and the Rose & Crown
Public House and Common Lane (21 bays).

 

Introduction of
charges to the limited waiting bays between Langley Hill and
Vicarage Road (28 bays) 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 village 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 do 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. 
 
Feedback from users also
identified the opportunity to introduce pay and display machines to
facilitate payments.
 
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 Kings Langley between Langley Hill and Vicarage Road (28 bays).
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, purchase and installation of no. 4 pay and display
machines along with any changes to the statutory signage and road
marking.