Current Status
The process for introducing a permit parking scheme is outlined below. Those stages in green have been completed, with yellow showing the current stage.
With the informal survey showing community support for a permit scheme the Council will now finalise a scheme design. The introduction of the scheme will then be proposed under a Traffic Regulation Order. This is a formal legal process with a public consultation.
We currently expect the Traffic Regulation Order process to be started in late spring/Summer 2023.
Survey
The Council has received a request from the Ridgemount Avenue Residents Association for a permit parking scheme to be introduced to address increasing issues related to non-resident parking in Ridgemount Avenue and adjoining roads.
In response the Council undertook an online survey of residents in Ardnave Crescent, Bassett Avenue, Bassett Mews, Cleek Drive, Greenbank Crescent, Ridgemount Avenue and Ridgemount Lane to see if there is substantive support for a scheme to be introduced.
To assist residents, the following information on how the prospective scheme would operate including the boundary, prospective permit eligibility, permit entitlement and permit costs was provided:
Scheme Boundary
The scheme map shows the road lengths that would be encompassed within the scheme. Any permit scheme would be signed only (entry and repeater signs used rather than lined bays) as per the neighbouring scheme in Little Oak Road.
Scheme Operation
The hours of operation for the scheme would be 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday to align with those of existing neighbouring schemes.
To provide flexibility for residents and their visitors, the scheme would allow non-permit holders to park for up to 2 hours during the hours of operation. For longer stays by visitors, a visitor permit would need to be displayed.
Permit Eligibility
Households are generally defined for purposes of eligibility as those properties within a zone boundary with discrete Council tax. Under the Councils current Residents Parking Policy properties built or sub-divided based on planning approval post 31st March 2001 would not be eligible for permit.
However, the final design of a prospective permit parking scheme will be informed by a planned update to the Residents Parking Policy in 2022. Residents will then be able to take an informed view of their permit eligibility and entitlement.
Also please note that:
- Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or 5m in length are not eligible for permits
- Vehicles displaying a blue badge, would not require a permit.
Permit Entitlement and Costs
Eligible properties within the permit scheme boundary would be entitled to:
- Up to 2 resident permits (assigned to a specific vehicle) at a cost of £30 per year per permit
- An annual visitor permit at a cost of £30 per year
- Up to 60 visitor permits (valid for 1 day) at a cost of £10 per booklet
- An Essential Visitors permit (free of charge) for residents dependent on carers
As permit charges help to fund the costs of introducing, administering, maintaining and enforcing the schemes they are not optional.
Survey Outcome
Given the evidence above of longer duration parking by students from the Halls of Residence and the access issues related to the vertical alignment of the initial section of Ridgemount Avenue, the non-resident parking is viewed as being significant.
With more than 80% of respondents in favour of permit parking this is accepted, in principle, as supporting the Council proposing a permit parking scheme..
Response Rate
|
Surveys sent |
99 |
|
Surveys returned |
56 |
|
Response rate |
55% |
Question 2
Do you have concerns over non-resident (e.g. commuter or university related) on-street parking in the Ridgemount Avenue area?
|
Road |
No |
Yes |
Yes % |
|
Ardnave Crescent |
6 |
17 |
74% |
|
Cleek Drive |
1 |
5 |
83% |
|
Golf Course Road |
0 |
1 |
100% |
|
Greenbank Crescent |
2 |
16 |
89% |
|
Ridgemount Avenue |
0 |
7 |
100% |
|
Ridgemount Lane |
0 |
1 |
100% |
|
Total |
9 |
47 |
84% |
Question 3
Would you support a permit scheme, operating as detailed in the letter, to deter non-resident parking in the Ridgemount Avenue area?
|
Road |
No |
Yes |
Not affected |
Yes % |
|
Ardnave Crescent |
6 |
17 |
0 |
74% |
|
Cleek Drive |
1 |
5 |
0 |
83% |
|
Golf Course Road |
0 |
1 |
0 |
100% |
|
Greenbank Crescent |
3 |
14 |
1 |
82% |
|
Ridgemount Avenue |
0 |
7 |
0 |
100% |
|
Ridgemount Lane |
0 |
1 |
0 |
100% |
|
Total |
10 |
45 |
1 |
82% |
Further Information
If you have any further questions related to parking and this survey, please email:
southamptonRPS@balfourbeatty.com