Agenda item

University related parking issues, hear from Cllr Andy D’Agorne the Executive member for transport and Dave Atkinson who is head of Highways from City of York Council

There followed a lively discussion on local parking issues. 

 

There was a general consensus that significant parking issues had been caused by students & staff from the University of York (particularly since the introduction of the Badger Hill parking restrictions) to the consternation of local residents. It was also noted that these problems were less of an issue during the summer recess (when the students were not attending university).

 

From the outset, residents were disappointed to note that no one from the university was present at the meeting and wondered whether a representative had been invited (and, if so, what their response had been).

 

Councillor Warters confirmed that he had been in contact with the university in the past but, to his frustration, he had been informed that the parking issues were not the university’s problem.  Another resident stated that she had also written to the university and had received a similar response.  Councillor Warters considered that the university should apply some common sense and either increase parking capacity or reduce charges.  It was agreed that the situation had been entirely avoidable and should have been flagged up and addressed when the Badger Hill parking restrictions had been implemented.

 

Councillor D’Agorne explained that it was the responsibility of the university to inform and educate both staff and students regarding appropriate and considerate parking. However, without a residents’ parking scheme in place, City of York Council had no authority to take enforcement action as the regulations needed to be in place first.

 

Councillor Warters explained that there were approximately 30 cars causing problems in Osbaldwick and that the university should not be permitted to extend its building programme on campus unless robust parking provision was included (preferably a multi-storey car park).  He further remarked that there seemed to be no end to the planned expansion. The University had initially been required under the 2007 Planning conditions for Heslington East expansion to restrict the developed footprint of the site to 23% with 77% left undeveloped as parkland.  That restriction has recently been swept away at the recent Local Plan Inquiry and the University Estate is to be more intensively developed with potential increases in displaced parking. However, that had been swept aside following a local planning enquiry.  Councillor Warters pointed out that increased parking provision was being overlooked, which had negative ramifications for local residents.  He also drew attention to the significant annual revenue which was generated by the university as a result of its parking charges (which he believed to be in the region of £100,000).

 

The Head of Highways and Transport advised that his department had been carrying out an analysis following the recent completion of the university’s (five yearly) Travel Plan and had been in discussions with the university regarding parking displacement and capacity.

 

Councillor Warters pointed out that there did not seem to be as much displaced parking arising from Archbishop Holgate’s School and suggested that the school may have increased its parking provision (and/or fewer students were choosing to drive there). 

 

Councillor D’Agorne added that, as there was a general focus on discouraging car use by limiting the number of available places and implementing parking charges, he believed that an increase in parking provision could lead to increased car use.  He further added that the university was the main generator of the whole parking problem. 

 

A resident considered it preferable if students parked at the university rather than in residential areas and maintained that there would not be a problem if the university had provided enough parking at the outset.  The irony of the situation was that the university’s green agenda had simply resulted in increased pollution and carbon emissions elsewhere.

 

The Head of Highways and Transport confirmed that City of York Council was in discussions with the university regarding a Park and Ride review as part of service improvement planning for additional parking.

 

Other potential solutions suggested by residents included the possibility of being issued with a logbook (similar to Hazel Court) as proof of residency, placing parking meters on the roads (with exemptions for residents and visitors) and reducing bus fares for students.

 

Question

A resident wondered why students could not be encouraged to park at the York Sport Village in Heslington East where there was more parking provision.

 

Answer

Councillor D’Agorne did not believe that there was any significant additional capacity at the Sport Village.  He also informed residents that some of the revenue generated through parking charges was diverted into a free university shuttle bus service.

 

PARKING PERMITS

Residents raised concerns about not being able to park near their properties and also highlighted the difficulties faced by visitors (such as carers) who required regular access to particular properties. 

 

Answer

Councillor D’Agorne advised that as the university parking scheme involved staff paying a specific percentage of their salary, he wondered if it was more of a financial incentive for them to park further away (particularly those who had to pay higher charges) to avoid paying for a university parking permit.

 

Question

A resident said she had spoken to some students from Badger Hill regarding the parking problems on Tranby Avenue and they had informed her that their landlords did not issue them with permits.

 

Answer

Councillor D’Agorne replied that it was not the responsibility of the landlords to provide or pay for parking permits.

 

Question

A resident wanted to know the cost of a residents’ parking permit per household.

 

Answer

Councillor D’Agorne confirmed that, in general, it cost in the region of £100 per year for a family vehicle.

 

HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (HMO’s)

Several residents were disparaging about local planning decisions relating to HMO’s and felt that parking problems had increased, concurrent with the construction of more HMO’s.  They also felt that if more student accommodation was available on campus, it would result in more family and affordable homes being released back into the community.

 

Question

Another resident wanted to know why there were only one or two parking spaces available for HMO’s.  He also highlighted the additional disruption caused by visitors (such as family, friends or partners). 

 

Answer

Councillor Warters acknowledged the issue and gave some examples of properties that had been given planning permission for development as student accommodation despite having no (or limited) parking provision.

 

Question

A resident said it beggared belief that City of York Council could increase HMO’s when there was already limited parking provision. It was also noted that, despite paying their rates, residents felt they were getting a very poor service in return.

 

Question

A resident asked why HMO’s were not eligible to pay business tax.

 

Answer

Councillor Warters advised residents to question their MP regarding that particular issue.

           

Question

A resident asked why all students in HMO’s were not provided with free permits bearing in mind there would be multiple vehicles per household.

 

Answer

Councillor D’Agorne explained that in student HMO’s the first parking permit was issued free (but the other occupants would have to pay for additional permits).

 

The Head of Highways and Transport confirmed that he would make further enquiries regarding the issue.

 

Action:  The Head  of Highways and Transport   to make further enquiries regarding the issue of permits in student HMO’s.

 

BADGER HILL

Question

A resident asked Councillor D’Agorne whether he recognised that there was, in fact, a problem regarding parking in Osbaldwick and why City of York Council did not allow free parking in Badger Hill.

 

Answer

Councillor D’Agorne recognised that there was clearly a parking problem, but the residents’ parking scheme in Badger Hill had already been approved and adopted.   He added that if residents in Osbaldwick made representations for a residents’ parking scheme, it would be considered by City of York Council if at least half of the local households were in favour of it.

 

One resident said she couldn’t even park at the Badger Hill shops which resulted in a queue of vehicles waiting to park. 

 

Another resident added that people didn’t want to pay to park in their own area and she felt strongly that the residents’ parking scheme was a cash cow for City of York Council.

 

ROAD SAFETY

A further discussion ensued regarding the potentially hazardous conditions within the locality arising from displaced parking. It was acknowledged that people parked indiscriminately on junctions, corners, pavements and grass verges which resulted in obstructed access and views for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of all vehicles (including buses, refuse lorries and emergency vehicles).  This was particularly hazardous for people with pushchairs or those with mobility or sensory impairments.  The absence of any civil enforcement officers was also highlighted, and residents felt that their presence would discourage students from parking in the area.

 

The damage to pavements and grass verges as a result of contractors digging them up to lay cables was also raised as an issue.  Councillor Warters stated that a previous initiative to plant more trees along Tranby Avenue had been thwarted by the installation of broadband.  There were also concerns regarding the concreting over of gardens in order to create additional parking spaces.

 

Double yellow lines and outdated signage were also points of contention.  It was felt that the painting of double yellow lines to certain roads (such as sections of Tranby Avenue and Cavendish Grove) would simply move the problem further along.  Some other residents felt that double yellow lines were needed on both sides of the road.  There was general agreement that the installation of ‘No Parking’ signs and removal of obsolete signs would improve the area and deter students from parking for long periods of time.

 

Another idea suggested by residents was to introduce restricted parking during specific times (which Councillor D’Agorne believed would be a good deterrent).  He confirmed that he would look into the possibility of implementing and monitoring restricted parking.

 

Action:  Councillor D’Argorne to look into the possibility of implementing and monitoring restricted parking.

 

Councillor D’Agorne explained that the council’s civil enforcement officers were able to issue fines in certain situations.  However, if residents noticed any hazardous parking they could report it to the police.

 

Councillor Warters added that the police were normally very good at turning up in response to reports of traffic offences and he asked how many civil enforcement officers were employed by City of York Council.

 

The Head of Highways and Transport confirmed that there were approximately 20 (although two thirds were generally on shift for the entire city comprising 21 wards).

 

Question

A resident wanted to know if First York had raised concerns regarding the traffic displacement (particularly along Tranby Avenue).

 

Answer

The Head of Highways and Transport confirmed that, despite several requests for reports from First York regarding any traffic issues on Tranby Avenue, no representations had been made.

 

Question

Residents were surprised by that and wanted to know if City of York Council was going to wait until an accident had happened before taking any action.

 

Answer

The Head of Highways and Transport refuted that suggestion and confirmed that road safety issues were under constant review.