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CPZ Deputation to Council |
20th June 2001 |
Deputation to Council - Wednesday 20th June 2001
Your Worship the Mayor, Leader of the Council, Councillors of the London Borough of Enfield, Ladies and Gentlemen.
We thank you for extending your invitation to us to present the view of Palmers Green residents with regard to your proposed Controlled Parking Scheme for our area. We trust the Council shall observe the growing concerns and objections we have and accept that this scheme cannot find favour with us. We also aim to provide alternative solutions that may and can be adopted to resolve the parking problems within our area if not for the Borough as a whole. We further ask your Environmental Services Department to consult and work more closely with us to benefit from better interaction with the residents and see that more efficient and constructive policies for our community are introduced.
Last November the Council introduced Pay & Display meters along Green Lanes with only selective consultation of its residents. This was followed by a letter from your Head of Traffic and Parking Services showing concern that this action would most probably cause a parking problem in our area from vehicles wishing to avoid payment starting to park along our roads. As a solution the engineers and officers came up with a proposal to introduce a CPZ. The Council's questionnaire was plain and simple DO WE WANT A CPZ or NOT? and if so DO WE FAVOUR a HALF-DAY or FULL DAY PERMIT RESTRICTION? A charge for a half-day and a full day permit was declared. The residents who realised the detrimental effects of this type of scheme returned the form opposing any form of residential parking. Others reacted to the question more positively without, I would suggest, being fully conversant of what "a CPZ" scheme actually entailed.
In April the Council forwarded its colourful brochure with a letter advising that the result of its survey suggested that residents in at least 16 roads wanted an all day scheme to be introduced. This brochure contained a map of the area marking the boundary in which the proposed scheme would be provided. For the first time the details of this scheme were defined including the suggested pricing structure. We were given up to three weeks to respond to a second questionnaire composed of two questions - Are we in favour of the CPZ scheme proposed or not? and should the CPZ be introduced, how many permits we will want to purchase?
The Residents of Palmers Green called a public meeting on 9th May which took place in this Council Chamber and was well attended, to debate this matter. The Council did not represent itself in a formal capacity apart from Councillor Charalambous who was asked to Chair the meeting along with the presence of Councillor Costello in an informal capacity. Both agreed to extend the consultation deadline to 23rd May. Together, with Mr Twigg MP who was also in attendance, they stated that if the majority in any road DID NOT WANT to have the CPZ scheme it would not be imposed. Following this public meeting a volunteer representative from each road personally surveyed their road at doorstep level. A number of people claimed not to have received the consultation document whilst others only received the documents during the last two weeks. A clear picture nonetheless was emerging of dissatisfaction in relation to the proposed CPZ scheme, despite the limited time frame we had. This included not only concern as to charges levied, but also strong views that this scheme would not solve the parking problem or guarantee spaces. There was anxiety expressed with regard to visitor permits, the difficulty and inconvenience receiving professional and utility services and also suggestions of hidden taxation as well as a violation of our Human Rights.
Of the 840 households directly questioned, 658 indicated total opposition to this scheme whilst only 95 were in favour of it. This clearly challenges the Council's statistics. We could not determine the whereabouts of 75% of residents who were according to the Council in favour of the scheme. {Showing copy of Survey} Our survey was presented before the expiry of the consultation period to Councillors Doug Taylor, Michael Rye, and Bambos Charalambous, the Director of Environmental Services Mr John Pryor, the Head of Traffic and Parking Services Mr Ian Hastings and our local MP Mr Steven Twigg.
On 18th June residents received a letter dated 8th June from Mr Hastings who wrote confirming that all roads with the exception of Devonshire Road and Old Park Road will now be exempt from the implementation of parking controls whilst further consultation will continue in the aforementioned roads. Although this statement delights us we are still questioning the Council's manipulation of the facts. Looking at its own figures it appears that Devonshire Road residents are mostly in favour of the CPZ. Only 64 households replied last April of which 55 were in favour of this scheme. Our own figures were however more evenly balanced. In May we approached 87 households of which 51 signed against the CPZ whilst 28 were still in favour. We had 8 abstentions and 22 non-replies. It is clear that a number of people exercised their right to change their mind. Similarly Mr Hastings' figures for Old Park Road show only 18 households in favour and 22 against. These compare with our own statistics of only 3 being in favour and 68 against. What criteria has he adopted in order to determine that Old Park Road should be subjected to further consultation when we clearly understood that the majority of resident's opinions will be observed?
We acknowledge that Devonshire Road deserves special consideration. As fellow neighbours we embrace and sympathise with their parking dilemma. To see upward of 60 vehicles perform a disappearing act every weekday is bewildering. Not only do we force these vehicles to aggravate the lunchtime traffic congestion but also further compound our pollution problems. All this is the by-product of a total parking restriction between 11am and 12pm which was introduced to discourage railway commuters from parking there. Old Park Road has to perform a similar exercise but their problem is not as acute as many residents have their own driveways.
We propose a simple and we believe suitable solution for these residents. Whilst maintaining the 11-12 parking restriction, legitimate residents (by virtue of proof of address and/or being the council taxpayers) can be provided with a FREE identity tag which will permit them the right to remain on the road during this period. Residents were encouraged by this and thought of this as a wonderful proposal. However, in a further meeting held by residents of Devonshire Road Mr Hastings said that it was Central Government and GLA common policy to impose a levy on such schemes so that they can be self-financing. Nevertheless, we have it on good authority that in Southampton residents are issued a parking permit FREE OF CHARGE.
To further encourage shoppers and commuters alike to use the Lodge Drive car park we propose to re-instate FREE Parking whilst at the same time making it safer through the introduction of CCTV surveillance. Furthermore the Waste Management facility that occupies part of this car park and poses an environmental health hazard should be relocated elsewhere thus providing additional car parking spaces. This should encourage its universal appeal and use whilst at the same time relieving our roads from unnecessary parking displacement.
After comparing other CPZ areas let us remind you of the Camden High Court decision in Primrose Hill where the judge was very critical in the way Camden Council consulted its residents. Basically they did not consult with an open mind. The Council MUST NOT have Preconceived Assumptions but this was found to be the case. So they lost. Camden Council was found to be UNFAIR in their Consultation Procedure.
We recommend this Council considers the alternative options proposed, and to allow greater co-operation and consultation between its officers, councillors and residents in reaching mutually acceptable schemes that WILL benefit the community as a whole as well as create a blueprint for the rest of the Borough.
As the newly founded Palmers Green Residents Association we pledge to work closely with the Council to help sustain a more environmentally friendly area.
Thank You.
Seris Leonidas
53 The Grove
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27th
March 2004 |
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