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Home > Council & democracy > Council meetings > ePetition - Parking change to mini-zones from 1st September

Petition details

Parking change to mini-zones from 1st September

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We the undersigned petition the council to Delay the implementation of the changes due to start 1st September that will limit all-day parking to individual mini-zones until: 1. After a proper campaign of publicity including social media and writing to all permit owners (with maps of the mini-zones to make clear the change), not just making a change to the website; 2. Members of our working-class communities have disproportionately been affected by Covid-19. Members who live in the Borough in large intergenerational family networks, older members in these households being reliant on support from family members, who’s the only access to that help is via the family car. Nearly 70 years ago Lord Michael Young in his seminal work, “Family and Kinship in East London”, wrote about these social relationships, networks of dependence and mutual support that were central to the people's resilience in facing the adversity of insecure and low paid employment. (Statement continued under 'Justification'.)

This follows an unannounced change to the Council website
https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/transport_and_streets/Parking/Parking.aspx
Which said that from 1st September;
"A resident parking permit will only be valid all day in the mini zone that you live.
Your permit will also be valid in any other mini zone for a maximum of three continuous hours from the time you first park.
For example, if you live in A1; your permit will be valid for a maximum of three continuous hours in any other A, B, C or D mini zones from the time you first park."
Changes like this need to go through a better review process as the nature of the change was unclear and we also need to discuss wider parking issues.

Statement continued from above:

Therefore, in light of this reliance, changes in parking to be implemented post-Covid-19 epidemic.
3. An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) to be commissioned by the Council and published before any implementation of changes, in particular with a focus on socio-economic inequalities. The changes in parking constitute a reduction in public services, therefore an EqIA is mandated by law. And the EqIA should form part of any discussion in regard to the mitigation of the proposed parking changes.

4. This change has been discussed at a public meeting at Tower Hamlets Council allowing Councillors and residents to ask questions before implementation;

5. There has been a full consultation about parking issues more generally in Tower Hamlets, including but not limited to:

- The hours of operation in particular whether they should be extended

- The boundaries of parking zones given new residential areas

- This proposed change to restricting all day parking to mini-zones

- Whether parking permits should be issued based on need rather then address

- How we encourage electric vehicle car charging

- Car club parking

- Taxi stands & where taxis and private hire vehicles can wait for trade

- Car-free development rules

- How to access under utilised private car parks next to roads packed with cars
- How long temporary COVID parking permits should be made available for
- Whether HMOs should be car free or not

This Petition ran from 29/07/2020 to 09/09/2020 and has now finished.

2121 people signed this Petition.

Council response

Re: Parking change to mini-zones from 1st September


Thank you for the petition raised for Council on Wednesday 30 September regarding the above which you presented to the meeting. The meeting requested that I respond to your concerns.

We recognise that many residents will have an interest in these changes and welcome the opportunity to explain the real benefits for the health and well-being of residents in the Borough.

The suggested changes are in line with the Council’s Transport Strategy which focuses on relieving traffic congestion and making the roads safer for our residents and visitors.

The changes will also contribute towards the Council’s overall drive to improve air quality and tackle the climate emergency by limiting traffic movements around the borough and encouraging use of public transport, cycling and walking.

With regards to the specific points raised in your petition we hope the answer set out below will address your concerns.

1. The Council has contacted those residents who will experience change and has written to every permit holder. In addition, the Council also updated its digital and social media platforms. After further conversation and consideration by Members and Officers another letter, which included a detailed map displaying the mini zones, was sent to each permit holder outlining the changes to the original implementation plan and reiterating the changes and their effect.

2. On 28th October a full report regarding the proposed changes was submitted to the Council Cabinet Committee. Contained within the report were the findings of an equality impact assessment which can be found in the supporting documents considered by the Council Cabinet Committee. It was considered that, as a result of these changes, there was no evidence of detrimental impact to protected characteristics or communities including those listed in the petition.

3. See above (point 2).

4. The Council has followed the proper procedures for changes to the Terms & Conditions associated with the parking permits. Permit holders agree to be bound by the terms and conditions on purchasing a permit – stating that the Council retains the ability to amend the Terms & Conditions after giving 28 days’ notice. At a debate on the changes, views were expressed and considered by and from elected members.

5. The Council is constantly reviewing it’s parking service in light of it’s commitment to ensuring an effective and environmentally sound transport infrastructure for LBTH in line with the Council’s Transport Strategy, which was subject to full public consultation between 29 July 2019 until 15 September 2019 and adopted by Council on 18 Dec 2019.

The Council is satisfied that it has acted in the best interests of the whole community throughout the process. LBTH has acted in line with its strategic direction in respect of both the climate emergency and its responsibility to manage congestion, particularly the impact of non-resident parking.
It recognised the strength of feeling expressed following the initial letter to residents, and ensured a full report was considered by the Council’s Cabinet Committee, which determined the changes should proceed.

Retention of the ability to park for up to three hours, anywhere in the Borough, is far more generous than anything offered by almost all other local authorities. However, the Council will continue to promote alternative forms of transport where appropriate such as public transport, walking or cycling.
Following the decision set out in the Cabinet report of 28 Oct 2020, the Council’s decision is to go ahead with the changes, and a further letter will be sent to all resident permit holders.
Thank you once again for interest in this matter.


Yours sincerely,

Ann Sutcliffe
Corporate Director, Place

Disclaimer

Tower Hamlets Council accepts no liability for the petitions on these web pages. The views expressed in the petitions do not necessarily reflect those of the Council. If you have any queries about petitions or any comments or suggestions, please email Committee Services at committee.services@towerhamlets.gov.uk or call 020 7364 4878.

 

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