Item No.
CMfT&I/15/2003
City of Westminster
Decision-maker
Date
Title of Report
21 February
CABINET MEMBER
2003
FOR TRANSPORT &
INFRASTRUCTURE
CLASSIFICATION FOR GENERAL
RELEASE
Congestion Charge – Dual A/D Parking
Zone & Consultation on Zone F
Report of Director of Planning &
Transportation
Wards Involved
Bryanston & Dorset Square, Hyde Park, and St. James’s
Policy Context
UDP Policy STRA24 states that the City Council will seek
to control on-street parking, with particular reference to the
special requirements of residents and people with
disabilities.
Financial Summary
The one-off implementation costs associated with the
proposed A/D Dual Zone total £5,000, and the proposed
Zone F consultation is £5,000 and can be met from
existing budgets in the Street Parking Account.
Author
Philip Basher on 020 7641 3010 or email pbasher@westminster.gov.uk
1.
SUMMARY
1.1
This report discusses the following issues:




the problems arising from the division of Controlled Parking Zones D
and F (see figures 1 – 3) by the Mayor’s Congestion Charge Zone
boundary;
discusses the options available for both zones;
seeks approval to create a dual A/D Zone for that part of Controlled
Parking Zone D that lies outside the congestion charge area; and
seeks approval to consult residents’ parking permit holders in the Hyde
Park Estate and Old Marylebone Road areas on possible resolution of
the Zone F problems.
2.
RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1
That approval be given to the creation of a new parking zone on an
experimental basis, to be designated Zone A/D, in that part of the existing
Zone D, i.e. the area bounded by Bressenden Place, Victoria Street,
Terminus Place, and Buckingham Palace Road (see figure 2).
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2.2
That approval be given to traffic orders being made under section 9 of the
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, in order to give effect to the
recommendations in paragraph 2.1 and to the statement of reasons in
Appendix 1.
2.3
That approval be given for the proposed consultation of residents in the Hyde
Park Estate and Old Marylebone Road areas of Parking Zone F to determine
which is the preferred option for dealing with the problem created by the
division of the zone by the congestion charge boundary.
3
BACKGROUND
3.1
The Mayor’s proposed Congestion Charge Zone boundary, which follows the
inner ring road, splits two of Westminster’s controlled parking zones (CPZs),
namely Zones D & F. Zone F is more seriously affected as a large proportion
of the zone is outside the congestion charge area, i.e. all the streets west of
Edgware Road and north of Old Marylebone Road (figure 1). In addition small
areas between Marylebone Road and Regent’s Park (figure 3) are affected.
Appendix 2 gives a breakdown of the number and type of parking facilities
involved, e.g. there is no permitted parking in those parts of Zone F north of
Marylebone Road.
3.2
In the case of Zone D the division is along Bressenden Place. The small area
outside the congestion charge zone bounded by Bressenden Place, Victoria
Street, Wilton Road, Terminus Place, Buckingham Palace Road (figure 2).
This means residents of Allington Street would incur the £5 charge if they
drove to Rochester Row, despite holding Zone D permits.
3.3
Only residents living within the congestion charge zone will be entitled to the
90% discount, although the City Council continues to lobby the Mayor for a
discount for all its residents or at least for those living in the divided parking
zones. The congestion charge operates on Mondays to Fridays between 7
a.m. and 6.30 p.m. The charge started on 17 February 2003.
3.4
This problem was considered at the October 2002 meeting of the Transport &
Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in a report that reviewed
options to deal with this problem. Although no direct views arose from the
Committee meeting it is now felt appropriate to resolve the problem in the
case of Zone D. The Zone F boundary problem will be reviewed as part of
the Parking Policy Review due in Autumn 2003, as the area concerned is
considerably larger and the issues and options are more complex.
3.5
The Allington Street area only has a single residents’ parking place, in
Allington Street, which can accommodate three vehicles, and 12 parking
meter spaces, with seven pay & display spaces in Bressenden Place. There
are 13 parking permits issued to residents within this area, which consists
largely of commercial properties. In view of the small numbers involved it is
felt that the Zone D problem should be resolved as quickly as possible,
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although the Zone A/D change proposed in this report will not be in place until
May 2003 at the earliest.
3.6
Residents from Allington Street area have raised this issue and their
concerns about the disadvantage they will be under having to pay £5 per day
to enter the rest of Zone D. The congestion charge update report for the 5
February 2003 meeting of the Transport & Infrastructure Overview and
Scrutiny Committee highlights this issue. It is suggested that the Cabinet
Member for Transport & Infrastructure makes a decision following this
Committee meeting, in order to take into account the views of the
Committee’s Members and Ward Members. It is understood that the opinions
expressed at the Committee meeting supported the proposal for the A/D
Zone, and that no particular opinion was made on the Zone F problems.
4.
OPTIONS FOR ZONE D
4.1
There are three options for the part of Zone D outside the congestion charge
area, see figure 2. They are:
4.2
4.3
1.
No Change
2.
Create Dual A/D Zone
3.
Add to Parking Zone A
No Change
This option is self explanatory and would leave the boundaries of the parking
zone unaltered. However, as mentioned above Zone D residents from outside
the congestion charge zone (CCZ) are subject to the £5 charge if they drive
into the charge area during the hours of control. It is important to note that
Zone D residents from this area (outside the CCZ) may need to make many
types journeys into Zone D in the CCZ. However, it should be reiterated that
the primary purpose of Westminster’s residents’ parking scheme is to provide
parking as close as possible to an individual’s home. The provision of parking
for other purposes such as shopping, schools, doctors’ surgeries, etc., is
secondary.
Create Dual A/D Zone
The part of Zone D outside the CCZ boundary (figure 2) could become a dual
A/D zone, on similar lines to the B/C and C/B zones, which straddles the
boundary between Zones B and C. Residents living inside the A/D zone
would be entitled to an A/D permit allowing them to park in Zones A & D.
This would allow the residents of this area outside the CCZ to choose
whether they want to enter the CCZ, whilst providing alternative destinations
in Zone A. Residents’ parking permit holders do not incur the congestion
charge if they are parked in a residents’ parking bay, inside the congestion
charge zone, displaying a valid permit and do not move their vehicle between
7 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some residents in the proposed A/D
Zone may therefore be able to use spaces in that part of Zone D inside the
congestion charge zone without incurring the £5 daily charge. The holders of
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A and D zone parking permits would not be entitled to park in the residents’
parking bay in the A/D zone, which in view of the small area concerned
should not be a major disadvantage for these permit holders.
4.4.
4.5
4.6
This option would involve the re-signing of the single residents’ parking bay,
the 12 parking meters and seven pay & display spaces within the area
concerned, which can be achieved easily within a few hours. It will be
necessary to amend the traffic orders for Zones A and D, as well as the
proposed A/D zone. New A/D permits will be issued to the 13 permit holders
in the area for the remaining unexpired period of their existing Zone D permit.
Residents will be asked to surrender their Zone D permits to prevent their use
by others. A/D permits were issued to the residents by 17 February 2003, so
that they can access Zone A from the start date of the congestion charge.
Until the traffic order is formalised this will be an informal arrangement and
will not prevent Zone D permit holders from parking in Allington Street.
Add to Parking Zone A
The portion of Zone D outside the CCZ boundary could simply be removed
from Zone D and incorporated into Zone A. This would mean that existing
Zone D residents would be issued with a Zone A permit to start on the date
the new traffic order(s) took affect. The new permits would be issued for the
unexpired time remaining on their existing permit and residents would be
asked to surrender their Zone D permits. This would also involve the resigning of the parking bays and meters in the area. This option would allow
Zone A permit holders to park in this area, which may encourage intra-zonal
commuting given its closeness to Victoria Station, but there is limited
opportunity as the number of spaces is small.
Conclusion
It is felt that given the small numbers of residents involved Option 2, the
creation of a dual A/D zone, for this area would be the most equitable solution
and this option is recommended and will be implemented by an experimental
traffic order. Holders of the A/D permit would be entitled to park in both Zones
A and D, and therefore the individual resident can choose whether they need
to make the journey into the CCZ. Furthermore residents of the proposed A/D
Zone would be protected from A and D permit holders overwhelming the
existing parking facilities in the proposed A/D Zone.
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5.
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
OPTIONS FOR ZONE F
Hyde Park Estate & Old Marylebone Road
Six options for the part of Zone F (Hyde Park Estate & north west of Old
Marylebone Road) outside the congestion charge area (see figure 1) were
considered by the Transport & Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny
Committee meeting in October 2002. They were:
1.
No Change
2.
Create New Parking Zone
3.
Create Dual B/F Zone
4.
Add to Parking Zone B
5.
Reorganise Parking Zones
6.
Discount to Residents Outside the CCZ Holding Parking Permits
In order to progress a resolution of this matter it is recommended that
residents holding a parking permit in the affected areas are consulted on the
options. The options could include those noted above and others that have
yet to be considered. The consultation would take place in late spring 2003
and the results considered by the Cabinet Member for Transport &
Infrastructure during autumn 2003 as part of the annual parking policy review.
It would include the Ward Members, the amenity and residents’ associations,
etc. The consultation would not include those parts of Zone F north of
Marylebone Road. Appendix 2 provides estimates of the number of permits
issued in these areas and the number of parking spaces.
Regent’s Park Zone F
In the case of the small areas of Zone F north of Marylebone Road,
regrettably there is little that can be done to alleviate the problems generated
by the Mayor’s congestion charge zone. There are no permitted parking
places in either of these small areas, but there are 51 permit holders in Harley
House. Residents holding a permit have to use a parking space south of
Marylebone Road presumably in the vicinity of Harley Street, and therefore
within the congestion charge zone. The closest alternative Parking Zone is B
zone, and it is not felt that transferring the area to that zone would meet the
needs of the residents. For instance, the area is closer to F Zone residents’
parking bays than to the nearest bays in Zone B, which are heavily used.
The City Council has lobbied the Mayor consistently on the question of
allowing the 90% discount to residents of the divided zones who live outside
the congestion charge boundary, but so far without success. It is felt that TfL
and the Mayor have not fully understood this issue and officers continue to
lobby TfL at every opportunity.
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5.5
Conclusion
In the meantime the Council has commissioned a series of parking surveys at
selected sites throughout the City to monitor the impact of the congestion
charge. The “before” surveys were completed in October 2002 and the “after”
surveys are likely to take place in May 2003 given the start date of 17
February 2003 for the congestion charge. The results of which will be
considered during autumn 2003 at the appropriate Member level, probably by
the Cabinet Member for Transport & Infrastructure and the Transport &
Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
5.6.
This report does not seek to resolve the Zone F problems arising from the
congestion charge scheme. This is largely because of the complexity of the
problems and the combination of advantages and disadvantages attached to
each option. Therefore, it is proposed that all residents holding a parking
permit in the Hyde Park Estate (Zone F1) and the Old Marylebone Road
areas (figure 1) be consulted on a range of options to alleviate the problems
arising from the CCZ. The consultation may include the options noted above
and possible alternatives that may arise once the CCZ is operational. The
Cabinet Member for Transport & Infrastructure, the Chairman of the
Transport & Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Ward
Members will be consulted on which options are to be presented to the public,
before the survey forms are dispatched. Nevertheless this issue will be
considered again as part of the autumn 2003 Parking Policy Review.
6.
PERFORMANCE PLAN IMPLICATIONS
6.1
The Transportation & Infrastructure Performance 2002/03 Plan contains no
specific performance target in respect of this issue.
7.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
7.1
The estimated cost of implementing the proposed A/D Parking Zone are
outlined below:
Item
Signs & meter plates
Traffic Orders
Set up costs
Total
Estimated Costs
£500
£2,000
£2,500
£5,000
These costs can be met from the Street Parking Account.
7.2
The estimated cost of the proposed Zone F (Hyde Park Estate & Old
Marylebone Road) residents’ consultation is £5,000, which can be met from
the Street Parking Account.
7.3
Transport for London might be prepared to fund the cost of any works and
associated design and consultation, and officers will make a bid.
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8.
8.1
WARD MEMBERS’ COMMENTS
Dual Zone A/D
The Members for St. James’s Ward affected by the proposed change have
been asked for their views on the proposals and their responses are set out
below:
Member
Cllr Tim
Mitchell
Cllr Louise
Hyams
8.2
Comment(s)
Director’s response
Cllr Mitchell supports the residents’
request for some assistance in this
matter, but would like the views of
the Transport & Infrastructure
Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Fully supports the proposal for a
dual A/D parking zone and hopes
that the matter can be progressed
before the congestion charge
starts on 17 February.
Noted
Noted, residents of the
proposed A/D Zone were
issued A/D permits by 17
February.
Zone F Consultation
The Members for Bryanston & Dorset Square, and Hyde Park Wards affected
by the proposed consultation have been asked for their views on the
proposals and their responses are set out below:
Member
Cllr Carolyn
Keen
(Bryanston &
Dorset Sq.)
Comment(s)
Director’s response
Found the proposal confusing and
suggests we wait for the results of
the parking surveys before setting
out the options. The area of
greatest concern is the Chapel
Street area where crossing into
Paddington or north to Lisson
Grove involves major roads and
complex routes. The same
problem exists for residents in
Bickenhall Street?
Cllr Angela
Hooper
(Bryanston &
Dorset Sq.)
All rather confusing! It is difficult to
consider what other options yet to
be considered will be.
The options outlined in this
report are not necessarily
those that will be included
in the consultation.
However, if this left until
the results of the parking
surveys are available
would delay the
consultation until
September 2003 at the
earliest, leading to further
delays for the residents of
the affected areas. The
Chapel Street area will be
included in the
consultation. Although the
Bickenhall area is outside
the congestion charge TfL
have extended the
residents’ discount to this
area.
Noted, it is felt that until
the congestion charge is
operational it is difficult to
link the proposed
consultation process to the
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Cllr Audrey
Lewis
(Bryanston &
Dorset Sq.)
Cllr Lewis feels the proposed
consultation needs clarification.
Why do you propose not to consult
the people most affected, e.g.
residents in Zone F north of
Marylebone Road?
Cllr Colin
Barrow (Hyde
Park)
Cllr Barrow’s general view is that
all will change in the spring after
congestion charge is introduced.
We should delay any decision until
then.
Cllr Anne
Mallinson
(Hyde Park)
The outcome of any changes
should result in an improvement on
the 6.8 spaces to 10 permits for
residents of Hyde Park Ward. No
information given for ratios in Zone
B (also Hyde Park Ward), my
understanding is that B zone is not
as favourable as 6.8 spaces. Cllr
Mallinson does not know how
many F Zone permit holders would
wish to pay £5 daily, and she
suggests no change for six months
then a review of F Zone permit
holders use.
predetermined options.
The final draft of the
proposed consultation and
the options given will be
agreed by the Cabinet
Member for Transport &
Infrastructure, at a later
date. The part of Zone F
north of Marylebone is
discussed in paragraphs
5.3. & 5.4 above.
Noted, the proposed
consultation will not take
place until May 2003 and
the options would be
reconsidered in light of the
congestion charge
becoming operational.
Noted, the ratio for Zone B
is 7.7 spaces to 10
permits, which is an
improvement on Zone F.
However, there are streets
and areas where the
demand for space is
extreme in both B & F
zones.
This report does not
suggest any changes for
Zone F, and this matter
would only be considered
in autumn 2003.
9.
PROGRAMME
9.1
The proposed A/D Zone should be in place by early May 2003 using the
experimental traffic order. The experiment will be reviewed in autumn 2003
and the results will be reported to the Cabinet Member for Transport &
Infrastructure. The proposed consultation in Zone F would be conducted in
late spring 2003 and the results report to the Cabinet Member for Transport &
Infrastructure during autumn 2003.
10
CONCLUSION
10.1
In order to counteract the effects of the Mayor’s congestion charge scheme, it
is proposed on an experimental basis that part of Zone D outside the
charging area will become the dual A/D zone. This will allow residents of the
area to chose whether they need to travel into the charge area, and it will
protect the local parking facilities.
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If you have any queries about this report
or wish to inspect any of the background papers,
please contact Philip Basher on 020 7641 3010,
pbasher@westminster.gov.uk
Background Papers
1.
Congestion Charging – Boundary Issues, Transportation & Infrastructure
Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 16 October 2002.
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For completion by Cabinet Member
Declaration of Interest

I have no interest to declare in respect of this report
Signed ……………………………. Date ………………………………
NAME:

I have to declare an interest
State nature of interest ……..……………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………..
Signed ……………………………. Date …………………………………
NAME:
(N.B.: If you have an interest you should seek advice as to whether it is appropriate
to make a decision in relation to this matter.)
For the reasons set out above, I agree the recommendation(s) in the report entitled
Congestion Charge – Dual A/D Parking Zone & Consultation on Zone F and
reject any alternative options which are referred to but not recommended.
Signed ………………………………………………
Cabinet Member for ……………………………….
Date …………………………………………………
If you have any additional comment which you would want actioned in connection
with your decision you should discuss this with the report author and then set out
your comment below before the report and this pro-forma is returned to the
Secretariat for processing.
Additional comment: …………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Page 10 of 11
NOTE: If you do not wish to approve the recommendations, or wish to make an
alternative decision, it is important that you consult the report author, the Director of
Legal and Administrative Services, the Chief Financial Officer and, if there are
staffing implications, the Head of Personnel (or their representatives) so that (1) you
can be made aware of any further relevant considerations that you should take into
account before making the decision and (2) your reasons for the decision can be
properly identified and recorded, as required by law.
Note to Cabinet Member: Your decision will now be published and copied to
the Members of the relevant Overview & Scrutiny Committee. If the decision
falls within the criteria for call-in, it will not be implemented until five working
days have elapsed from publication to allow the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee to decide whether it wishes to call the matter in.
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