Agenda item

Councillor Harcourt stated that this report was setting out new transport policies, traffic control measures and initiatives that would support the Council to be one of the greenest Councils in the UK and carbon neutral by 2030. He added that since the start of the pandemic, there had been major improvements to carbon emissions. The traffic measures proposed on this report would not only enable responding to the climate emergency but also would give greater agility in responding to the current Covid-19. Each option would be fully consulted on at appropriate stages.

Sharon Lea, the Strategic Director for the Environment, stated that since writing this report and in light of the pandemic, officers would like to update recommendation 7 on the report, first bullet point, and replace “Option 3” with “Option 4” of the Pay and Display Emission Based Parking Controls, as set out in Table 1 of Appendix 1 of the report. The main reason for this change was that the considerable rise in vehicle usage for commuting was adding pressure on to the recent increased demand for road space to provide for active travel, local businesses and social distancing. People were looking for alternative ways of transport, putting pressure on traffic and the limited parking spaces available in the borough. Commuters from other areas were parking in this borough for 8 hours and continue their journey into other parts of London. The Council wanted to improve the air quality to residents, so measures needed to be taken to discourage this practice.

The Leader stated that the borough’s low cost on parking meant that there was a risk of losing a significant number of parking spaces available to local residents.

The Leader put the recommendations to the vote.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY CABINET:

That Cabinet approves:

1.    The use of transport controls for the reduction in carbon emissions, the improvement of air quality and the improvement of public safety through low traffic neighbourhoods.

2.    The development of a programme of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and to delegate authority to the Chief Officer for Public Realm, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment, to approve the programme.

3.    The development of a programme of healthier streets in conjunction with the schools and to delegate authority to the Chief Officer for Public Realm, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment, to approve the programme.

4.    That CCTV enforcement cameras be replaced, where appropriate, with new intelligent cameras.

5.    That Controlled Parking Zones be reviewed, and that authority be delegated to the Chief Officer for Public Realm, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment, to finalise the terms of the consultation and to decide upon, and implement, the most appropriate option once the consultation is concluded.

6.    The preparation of the business case for Work Place Parking Levy.

7.    A consultation on the introduction of Emission Based Parking Controls based on the DVLA model and diesel surcharging:

·           Option 4 of the Pay and Display Emission Based Parking Controls as set out in Table 1 of Appendix 1.

·           Option 1 of the Permit Emission Based Parking Controls as set out in table 4 of Appendix 1.

·           The diesel surcharging for Pay & Display with the surcharge rate at EB3 (50%) from Table 6, of the base tariff. 

·           The diesel surcharging for Residents permit parking with the surcharge rate at EB3 (50%) from Table 6, of the base tariff. 

8.    That authority is delegated to the Chief Officer for Public Realm, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment, to finalise the terms of the consultation on the introduction of Emission Based Parking Controls and diesel surcharging and to decide upon, and implement, the most appropriate option once the consultation is concluded.

9.    Approve e-parking and cashless parking.