The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, Councillor Stephen Shaw, approved the making of an order to vary existing waiting restrictions, on-street parking places, and residents' parking in the District of Stratford-upon-Avon. He also requested that the impact of this order be monitored and further investigations be carried out into measures to prevent resident parking zones from becoming over-subscribed.

The Warwickshire County Council (District of Stratford On Avon) (Civil Enforcement Area) (Waiting Restrictions, On Street Parking Places & Residents' Parking) (Consolidation) (Variation No.11) Order 2025 (now 2026)

Councillor Stephen Shaw, the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, approved the making of The Warwickshire County Council (District of Stratford On Avon) (Civil Enforcement Area) (Waiting Restrictions, On Street Parking Places & Residents' Parking) (Consolidation) (Variation No.11) Order 2025 (now 2026) . This order amends existing parking regulations within the Stratford-upon-Avon district.

The decision was made following extensive consultation and consideration of numerous representations, with a significant number of objections received from residents in the S4 parking zone. These objections primarily centred on concerns that extending permit eligibility to town centre residents would lead to the S4 zone becoming over-subscribed, displacing existing S4 residents and potentially impacting safety due to longer walks to parking spaces.

The report detailed that proposals for merging the S2 and S4 residents' parking zones had been consulted on previously, but a decision was deferred due to the volume of objections. The current variation aimed to address some of these issues by extending permit eligibility in certain town centre streets to include S4 permits, and amending parking bays in Maidenhead Road, Rowley Crescent, and St Gregory's Road to allow for S4 permit holders.

During the consultation period, 51 representations were received, with 45 objections and 6 in support. Objections frequently cited a lack of data to support the proposals, concerns about the S4 zone being overwhelmed, and the impracticality of the proposed overflow parking in St Gregory's Road for S4 residents. Some also highlighted that pay-and-display machines in S4 were out of action, artificially depressing occupancy figures, and that parking demand was seasonal, with summer months seeing higher pressure.

Officers' responses acknowledged these concerns, particularly the strong opposition from S4 residents. While surveys indicated some general availability in the S4 zone, the estimated uptake of new permits was considered. The decision to approve the order was accompanied by a request for ongoing monitoring and further investigation into long-term mitigation measures. These measures include ensuring planning obligations exclude eligibility for zone S2/S3/S4 permits for new town centre developments, liaising with Stratford-on-Avon District Council to incentivise the use of off-street car parks, and considering future variations to permit eligibility.

The financial implications of the order were to be met within existing allocations from the Local Member's Delegated Budget, and no significant adverse environmental effects were anticipated.

The decision was informed by previous discussions, including a Portfolio Holder Decision session on 15 November 2024 concerning Stratford District CPE Variation 9 - S2-S4 Residents' Parking Zones . At that meeting, a report was submitted outlining proposals for changes to Residents' Parking Zones S3 and S4. A decision was made to implement parts of that scheme, with other proposals deferred for monitoring and further development. The current Variation No. 11 builds upon these previous considerations.