Agenda item

MATTERS ARISING

Minutes:

CSD 17087

 

The Group was disappointed to note that monthly ratified air pollution data was not available. The Air Quality Annual Status report was noted, but due to the highly technical nature of the report, it was difficult to understand.

 

Members noted the update on the seat that was due to be located outside the taxi office at Beckenham Junction Station. The update stated that negotiations with Network Rail were ongoing. The Chairman enquired if a deadline was being worked to. The Group was shocked to hear that Network Rail had asked for a £10k bond before they would agree to talk to the Council. The Chairman felt that it was very important that a deadline was being worked to, and Mr Terence Stanley suggested that LBB should publicise Network Rail’s unreasonable demand.

 

Issues concerning the paving laid at Beckenham Junction would be addressed in the Major Scheme update.

 

Regarding the matters that had arisen concerning yellow lines and off street parking, the Group highlighted areas where parking on yellow lines had not been penalised with enforcement activity. They asked if the parking restrictions regarding yellow lines could be enforced.  The Chairman asked if the residents affected should contact the parking enforcement contractors. It was noted that illicit parking issues could be reported on ‘Fix My Street’, but it was the view that this would take too long to be effective in these instances.

 

Mr Warner commented that the Police could move vehicles in certain circumstances. They could enter and move a vehicle to a place where it would not be a traffic hazard, or order a person to move it, or authorise a tow-truck operator to move it, if they believed on reasonable grounds that the vehicle was obstructing the road or an entrance; or that a vehicle was a safety risk or inconveniencing the public.

 

Marsha Berg highlighted parking problems and anomalies in the vicinity of Manor Way and the Beacon.

 

The Group noted the update from the Environment Portfolio Holder that Controlled Parking Reviews had taken place across the wider Beckenham area in recent years, and resultantly, no further reviews were planned for the near future. Chloe- Jane Ross was disappointed that reviews had taken place without wider consultation. Marie Pender made the observation that parking bays in certain areas were not being used, and this was an inefficient use of road space.

 

The Chairman asked Mr Warner if the working group’s request for a new review had been turned down on the basis of cost. He also asked what consultation process had taken place previously, and if the public and local businesses had been involved. The Chairman suggested that local businesses could conduct their own review, and then submit the findings to the Environment Portfolio Holder. Ms Jean Appleton MBE commented that local taxis were afraid to drop people off for fear of being penalised.

 

Councillor Wells supported the idea of local businesses conducting a privately funded parking review report, and suggested that this could commence around the areas where the Major Scheme work had already been completed. This work could be co-ordinated by Jackie Groundsell and the Town Team. The Chairman asked that the Town Team be provided with a copy of the latest street parking plans to help with the project, along with a copy of the most recent CPZ Review report. It was suggested that these may be able to be sourced from Angus Culverwell (LBB Head of Traffic Management).

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1) a copy of the most recent street parking plans be provided to the Town Centre Team

 

(2) a copy of the most recent CPZ Review report be provided to the Town Centre Team

 

(3) Local businesses in Beckenham be encouraged (with the help of the Beckenham Town Centre Working Group) to draft a private parking review report within the next 12 months. This report to be submitted to the Beckenham Town Centre Working Group and then to the Environment Portfolio Holder.   

 

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