Dartford Borough Council’s kerb-space management project
Background
Inconsiderate drivers cause a nuisance for residents and other highway users across this borough and indeed the whole country. Often attributed to what is considered a good thing, namely improved affluence, the resulting problems of increasing car ownership levels require managing, which is why generically, travel and transport warrant so much legislation and media attention.
For the borough of Dartford (and many others), the resulting issues are increasingly problematic. These have been recognised by officers and councillors, many of whom reside in this borough, and Dartford's Cabinet have decided to tackle the problems, starting with the areas around Dartford's town centre and Greenhithe's railway station.
The strategic approach decided upon is necessary in order to prevent displacing and compounding problems elsewhere.
Project progress
During October 2007, approximately six-and-a-half thousand residents were invited to comment on parking related issues in 'their' streets for areas around Dartford's town centre and Greenhithe's railway station.
The consultation return deadline for the resident’s survey was 2nd November 2007; one week grace was given for late returns and those received by 9th November were input to a data base. The data set was cleaned, sorted and interrogated and a report for Cabinet was produced.The report was presented to Dartford Borough Council’s Cabinet 20th March 2008.
The Cabinet report summarised the key results of the consultation and made generic recommendations for solutions for those areas consulted. Cabinet agreed the recommendations and detailed kerb-space management proposals were developed for the consultation areas alongside discussions with respective ward councillors.
A follow-up report that detailed the kerb-space management proposals was put before Cabinet 23rd October 2008 Item 82. Cabinet requested that respective ward councillors agree the proposals and that further informal consultation with residents be completed to ensure that the feedback from October 2007 round of consultation had been interpreted correctly.
The ward councillors consultation sessions are underway and a further report to Cabinet is required afterwards. All being well, the informal consultation with residents will take place before March 2009.
There will be a statutory process to undertake too that lasts typically not less than six months, prior to the implementation of any scheme. Another report to Cabinet will be necessary to obtain approval of the proposal detail designs prior to commencing the statutory process.
There are no temporary solutions for dealing with parking related issues; the approach to effective and efficient kerb-space management must be strategic.
Although residents find the timescales frustrating with the strategic approach adopted, Dartford Borough Council is committed to addressing car parking related problems and to improving as far as possible, on-street parking conditions for the benefit of residents, whilst considering the needs visitors and commuters too.
