Issue - meetings

Parking Strategy

Meeting: 02/11/2023 - Cabinet (Item 190)

Webcast for 02/11/2023 - Cabinet

Purpose

To consider proposals to undertake a full review of the Council’s parking provision to ensure the efficient utilisation of the Council's off-street carparks and support access to the District's Town Centres including the gathering of further data on carpark usage ensure best use of Council assets.

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

Agree to review and update the Parking strategy to better reflect the changing needs of service users.
Agree to undertake a full review to understand the requirements of the Council’s future parking provision as detailed in Annex C.
Endorse the proposal at paragraph 7.1 to employ the services of a professional customer insight gathering company.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to consider proposals to undertake a full review of the Council’s parking provision to ensure the efficient utilisation of the Council's off-street carparks and support access to the District's Town Centres including the gathering of further data on carpark usage ensure best use of Council assets.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Council Transformation introduced the report and outlined the following points:

It was noted that the last full review was in 2010 which was then refreshed in 2016.
It was highlighted that the considerations had changed which included the increase in electric cars, the use of electric bikes and the focus on tackling climate change.
It was noted that there was a strong desire to involve key stakeholders such as Town and Parish Councils in the review. It was highlighted that Gloucestershire County Council would also be involved as on-street parking was within its remit.
It was noted that the strategy would seek to make the most of assets, and future-proof cark parks. It was also highlighted that technology changes would need to be considered within the future strategy.
It was highlighted that the Parent and Child Bays trial in the Brewery Car Park in Cirencester, had resulted in a large amount of positive feedback.

It was noted that Overview and Scrutiny Committee has raised a few considerations and the Cabinet’s written response had been circulated prior to the meeting:

Recommendation 1 on widening car parking bays – It was noted that these were part of traffic regulations, but that the car parks that had been renovated which included Sheep Street, The Forum, Rissington Road now had spaces which were 1 metre wider.
Recommendation 2 on considering the level of need for and provision of disabled parking spaces – It was noted that these vary across the District but will be taken into account across the District.
Recommendation 3 on the provision of secure bicycle parking – It was noted that there was a lot of sympathy with this recommendation, as standard and electric bikes were more valuable now. However, it was noted that the location of parking for bikes would vary depending on need.

There were comments around Northleach, Bourton and Bibury where parking is limited, and how issues like coach parking were examined within the strategy.

There were questions around consultation with businesses and residents, and consideration of long-stay car park nearer to the centre of Cirencester. The Cabinet Member noted that there would be the opportunity for online feedback for residents to provide comments to improve the strategy. It was also commented that considerations around the use of car parks, would be examined within the formation of the strategy.

It was highlighted that the strategy sought to meet the needs of most people as the use of personal vehicle transportation was prevalent.

It was noted that this review would also inform the update of the Local Plan and the Cirencester Town Centre Masterplan.

Councillor Ind as an observer, noted ... view the full minutes text for item 190

Issue - meetings

Parking Strategy

Meeting: 02/11/2023 - Cabinet (Item 190)

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