Residents win changes in area'sparking schemes after survey

CHANGES are set to be made to the Crookesmoor parking permit scheme in Sheffield, following a survey of 2,200 residents.

The scheme, which involves parking permits for residents, pay and display parking places at 20p per hour, waiting restrictions and shared parking bays, was introduced in October 2008 to make it easier for residents to park near their homes.

It was also hoped the scheme would improve safety in the area and create a turnover of parking bays, to enable visitors to use local shops and businesses.

Crookesmoor, which is close to Sheffield University and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in addition to being walking distance from the city centre, had long experienced problems with congestion, due in part to commuters leaving their cars on the street for a full day.

Last year, Sheffield Council distributed around 2,200 questionnaires to residents and businesses in the area, to try and gauge the success of the scheme.

A total of 452 responses were received, with 73 per cent of respondents saying they were in support of the scheme, compared to 66.6 per cent prior to its introduction.

Most people said the parking situation has improved since the permit scheme was introduced and 57 per cent said the level of enforcement by perking attendants was “about right.”

The main criticisms cited were the need for residents to pay for permits, and the knock-on effect the scheme has on parking in neighbouring areas.

At a meeting of Sheffield Council’s cabinet highways committee tomorrow, councillors will discuss making a number of changes to the existing scheme, which would cost an estimated 30,000.

Simon Green, the council’s executive director for the scheme, has written a report advising councillors to agree changes such as altering existing pay and display bays.

His recommendations include altering the four-hour pay and display bays on Redcar Road to a mixture of permit holder-only bays and unrestricted parking spaces; extending the double yellow line at the junction of School Road and Conduit Road by 10m; changing the permit holder-only bays on Bower Road and Barber Place to pay and display or permit holder-only bays, and replacing the bus stop markings on Crookesmoor Road with single yellow lines.

Mr Green said: “Around 2,200 leaflets were distributed to each of the premises throughout the area to notify occupiers of the proposed changes.

“The council received a total of eight responses to the advertised changes, all from local residents. Four of the responses received were objections to the proposed changes on Redcar Road. Three responses were in support of the proposed changes or the current parking scheme.

“Objections to the proposed changes on Redcar Road suggested that the pay and display bays were being well-used by university and hospital visitors and that changes would encourage the occupation of the spaces all day by commuters.

“Pay and display revenue is expected to increase, as a consequence of relocating underused machines to streets where they will be better used.”

Councillors at tomorrow’s meeting are also expected to give the go-ahead to introduce a new permit parking scheme in Hillsborough, but only in the area around Hillsborough Corner – not near Sheffield Wednesday’s football ground.

Near Hillsborough Corner, about 66 per cent of residents said they supported the scheme – while near the football stadium, almost 66 per cent of residents and businesses were opposed.