TEXT OF SCC HIGH ST PARKING QUESTIONNAIRE 8 Dec 2007

For the information of all who live and work in Thames Ditton the Residents' Association makes available below the text of Surrey County Council Transport Department's questionnaire that they will deliver to addresses in the High St area from 8 December 2008

Thames Ditton Controlled Parking Zone Consultation.

As a result of the parking consultation of the Thames Ditton area in April 2007 Surrey County Council has undertaken further investigation and has produced detailed proposals for the consideration of local residents and businesses.

Thames Ditton suffers from oversubscription of available parking spaces. Waiting restrictions would improve sight lines and improve traffic flow but would reduce available parking. It is felt that permit parking would allow waiting estrictions while prioritising the remaining parking for local residents and businesses.

In order to provide resident parking permits a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) would need to be introduced. A CPZ is an area wide parking restriction that can restrict the use of parking bays to certain types of user. This allows residents greater opportunity to park and load/unload nearer to their homes, however it does not guarantee a parking space. Within a CPZ all roads have waiting restrictions or parking places. The waiting restrictions cover lengths of road and junctions where it is considered dangerous to park or where it is necessary to allow free passage of vehicles. Parking places are provided where it is safe to do so. A charge is made for parking permits in order to cover the costs of administering, maintaining and enforcing a CPZ.

Short term parking measures on Thames Ditton High Street would increase turnover of vehicles enabling improved access for shoppers and visitors alike and improve delivery and refuse access for businesses. This would be achieved with the use of Pay & Display Machines which make enforcement more efficient, thus keeping permit prices low. In an effort not to discourage passing trade it is felt that the first 30 minutes would be free, followed by a nominal cost of 10p for each 10 minutes thereafter with a maximum 2 hour stay to encourage those needing longer periods to use the nearby public car park and not restrict access to local businesses.

In order to maximise the number of parking places on the southern section of Thames Ditton High Street a One Way Working proposal is being considered. This would resolve traffic congestion problems and allow for footway and streetscene improvements as footways are very narrow and in some places are not continuous. Where large numbers of drop kerbs reduce the number of on-street parking bays it is possible, at the residents’ request, to continue the bay across the driveway. However anyone with a valid permit would be entitled to park across the driveway whilst the CPZ is in operation. Only outside of these times would the Borough Council be able to enforce obstruction created by vehicles parked in the bay.

The CPZ would be zoned to reduce internal commuting, increasing the ability of residents to find parking near their homes.

Resident Permits – Available to residents within the controlled parking zone boundary where proof of address and vehicle ownership are provided. The cost is £35 each and are limited to a maximum of 2 per household where there is no off street parking. The permit allocation is reduces at a one to one basis for every off street parking space an address has.

Visitor Permits – Visitor permits are available to residents within the controlled parking zone boundary regardless of car ownership, to eliminate fraudulent use of permits proof of address is required. Price is £1 per day. Business Permits – These are available for business vehicles which are used for operational purposes. A maximum of 2 per business these are priced at £50 each.

Public Exhibition – Large scale plans will be on display at Dittons Library. Officers from Surrey County Council Highways and Elmbridge Borough Council Enforcement will be in attendance on Tuesday the 11th December 2007 between 12pm and 8pm and the 12th of January 2008 between 12pm – 4pm to answer any questions. Details are also available from the Roads and Transport Consultation section of Surrey County Council website via www.surreycc.gov.uk/roadsandtransport

What happens next?

Please complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it in the envelope provided by 18th of January 2008. Due to the number of people being consulted we are unable to respond individually to comments or correspondence received as part of the consultation. Results of the consultation will be presented to committee where a decision will be made as to whether to proceed to the formal consultation and implementation of proposals.

If you need further information please call the Surrey County Council Contact Center Ph 08456 009009

Residents Questionnaire

In order to help us decide the best form of on street parking provision, please could you answer the questions below by ticking or filling in the boxes and return in the business reply envelope provided.

1) Are you in support of the introduction of permit parking in your road? please tick

2) Would you be in support of permit parking in your road if the adjacent road was to have permit parking?

3) What hours of operation do you feel would be most effective. Option a). 12am – 2pm. This option would reduce the amount of all day commuter parking without adversely effecting short term visitors to the area.

Option b). 8.30 am – 6.30pm This option would eliminate commuter and short-term parking problems.

Other, please comment..........................................

4) What days of operation do you feel would be most effective?

Option a). Monday – Friday

Option b). Monday – Saturday

Other, please comment..........................................

5) Would you be in support of One Way Working for the southern section of The High Street?