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| Elder statesmen councillors finally realise what to say to Brian Coleman? |
Dear Leader and Barnet Councillors,
This document details the mayhem caused by the abolition of
free bays in Controlled Parking Zones as part of Councillor Brian Coleman's
parking policies.
This document details how the Barnet Police have had their
time wasted, congestion has been caused, buses have been delayed, residents
inconvenienced, and people's safety has been endangered. In short, it is the
most damning indictment of a Council policy possible.
The background information section of this document
says:
8. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
8.1 In June 2011 the
Council completed a scheme whereby all ‘Free’ parking bays were converted to
permit holder or paid for parking bays in the borough’s Controlled Parking Zones
(CPZs). As a result of the changes made to the Mill Hill East CPZ, a
proportionate level of displaced parking is occurring on both sides of Bittacy
Hill on the outskirts of the CPZ boundary.
8.2 The council has been
contacted by roads users and local residents, complaining of the congestion
being caused as through vehicles are being obstructed by the displaced
parking.
8.3 London Buses have reported to the council that the displaced
parking is obscuring sightlines and obstructing through traffic, preventing
their buses from gaining suitable access through the road, resulting in the
delay of their services. They also stated that this situation has caused major
congestion in both directions on Bittacy Hill and therefore, have had to
temporarily put some of their buses on diversion.
8.4 In addition, the
Police have also expressed concerns regarding this location, and have requested
for waiting restrictions to be introduced.
8.5 Following investigations
including site observations, Officers concluded that major congestion occurs on
the hill at this location, and in order to keep traffic moving through the
borough considered that the provision of waiting restrictions would be
appropriate given the obstructive parking which is taking place.
8.6
Therefore, proposals to introduce lengths of ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions
on certain lengths of Bittacy Hill including around its junctions with Bittacy
Close and Engle Park, were designed in order to deter obstructive parking and
improve traffic flow, sightlines and safety.
8.7 In anticipation of the
statutory consultation, Mill Hill Ward Members were consulted on the proposals
with all advising of their agreement and support of the measures for the area.
In particular, Councillors Khatri and Hart stated that they had also received
complaints on this matter or have experienced problems themselves. Councillor
Hart did raise the issue that more restrictions may cause more problems to the
wider area as did Councillor Schama.
8.8 However, Officers consider that
any displaced parking that may occur as a result of the introduction of the
restrictions can be absorbed into the local network with minimal
impact.
8.9 In mid August it was necessary to introduce emergency
temporary waiting restrictions on the eastern side of Bittacy Hill, as nearby
Devonshire Road was closed to allow for essential maintenance works to take
place, which resulted in an increased traffic flow on Bittacy Hill that
exasperated the problems occurring at the location.
8.9 Traffic cones
were placed on street to indicate the temporary waiting restrictions, and the
location was monitored by Officers. Observations showed that displaced parking
was minimal and what did occur had little impact on the area. It was concluded
that the removal of the parked vehicles at this location was very effective in
relieving the congestion normally experienced.
8.10 Additional supporting
evidence underlining the concern via photographs showing buses being obstructed
and the congestion experienced were sent to the council and a petition signed by
all residents of Bittacy Close was also submitted, asking for waiting
restrictions to be implemented at the junction of Bittacy Close and Bittacy
Hill.
8.14 Councillor Khatri and Councillor Hart have since also
reaffirmed their views and support for the proposals. In particular, they
advised of their concerns regarding safety being an issue at this location.
Councillor Hart also re-iterated his concerns for residents of Bittacy Close,
who suffer from obstruction at the junction of Bittacy Close and Bittacy
Hill.
Councillor Brian Coleman ignored all wise counsel in order to introduce these
policies.
He ignored all efforts to mitigate the problems caused.
As a result, we have a situation where ever more parking restrictions will be
required to fix a problem that did not previously exist.
To what end? To inconvenience and overcharge local residents.
It is
time for Barnet Council to have an urgent rethink. It is time to reinstate free
bays, cut parking charges on Barnet’s high streets, and, most of all, it is time
to put someone in charge of parking who is competent.
There is no way
that Barnet Council can pretend that Coleman’s parking policies are anything
other than an unmitigated disaster. Your own document says so in black and
white.
Signed:
Derek Dishman
John Dix
Vicki
Morris
Theresa Musgrove
Roger Tichborne
Footnote:
The open letter was sent by email late on the evening ofyesterday and up to now there has been read by 18 conservative councillors, 9 labour ones and 1 liberal with 1 out-of-office from a lib-dem.
It is a little early to expect a response and it should be noted that one was not specifically requested although one would think that such criticism naturally demands one.
