"TIDAL" parking could be tested in Sheffield which would allow motorists to leave their vehicles at the roadside with least traffic during rush hours.
Sheffield Council is looking for ways to keep traffic flowing while creating the minimum disruption for those who need to visit premises along the city's busy arterial routes.
Proposals were examined two years ago to extend the no-waiting restrict
ions by 30 minutes during the morning and afternoon traffic peaks to try to keep the traffic flowing more freely. But that idea brought resistance from some people, who complained they would no longer be able to leave their cars out overnight and would struggle to find alternative parking facilities.
In Ecclesall Road, which would have been affected, a 754-name petition was submitted asking the authority to come up with alternative solutions.
It has come up with tidal parking, which means drivers will be allowed to use the side of the road which is least busy. The idea is new to Sheffield but works in other places, including Nottingham, where it has been introduced.
Planning councillors have been asked to decide today whether to go ahead with trials and highways officials have identified Chesterfield Road and City Road as suitable sites.
If councillors want to move forward with the scheme it will mean the authority introducing a temporary traffic order to allow the test period to begin, with a long-term decision expected after the results of that work has been analysed. A report to councillors says: "The main benefit of a tidal scheme is that it would allow overnight parking for residents on one side of the road and two hours' additional parking or loading/unloading opportunities for businesses."
But there are risks with a tidal system because it may increase the risk of collisions, say council officials. That is because drivers may be encouraged to turn right, across the flow of oncoming traffic, to reach parking bays on the other side of the road.
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