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The CPZ (Controlled Parking Zone) is now in use on some (and parts of some) roads throughout the estate CONTROLLED PARKING ZONE I am pleased to be able to report that progress is at last being made towards
the implementation of the Controlled Parking Zone ("CPZ") in the Estate.
As residents will recall, the CPEA has been campaigning for the last five
years to persuade Harrow Council to establish a CPZ as a means of stopping the
excessive and potentially dangerous overspill parking in Canons Drive, and
surrounding roads, by the commuters using Edgware Station. In addition, a CPZ
would prevent the various car mechanics located in Ballards Mews from using our
Estate to park their customers' cars.
As previously reported, the Council has agreed that a resident's parking
scheme would be proposed for the Estate as part of the post-implementation review
of the operation of the Edgware CPZ in the Montgomery Road and Handel Way
area. This review is now underway and the CPEA was represented at a stakeholders
meeting in February, which the Council Officers organised to consider the
alternative options for the operation of the parking scheme. The Council's proposal has not yet been finalised, but at present it appears likely that all roads in the Estate could be covered by yellow lines and/or parking bays. The yellow lines would operate only during the hours of operation of the zone. The hours of operation would have to be agreed by consultation
with the Residents, but they could, for example, be restricted to one hour
only during the morning or afternoon, Monday to Friday, in order to prevent
commuter parking. Residents would be able to use the designated parking bays
during the restricted period by displaying a parking permit. The current annual
charge by Harrow Council for a permit is £40. A second and third permit would
also be available at a (current) annual cost of £50 and £70 respectively.
These charges are subject to review on an annual basis. Residents will also be
able to purchase permits for visitors to use during the restricted period. It is also likely to be proposed that there would be a small number of Pay and Display spaces at the High Street end of Canons Drive, in response to a specific request from the Lodge Close Resident's Committee, for use by essential
visitors to Lodge Close.
Consideration has also been given by the Council Officers to the alternative
option of a full yellow line scheme in the Estate but this has been rejected
as Residents and their visitors would then have no access at all to on-street
parking during the restricted period.
It is our understanding that the Council will publish its proposal in the
autumn. All Residents will be sent the proposal as part of a consultation
exercise. You will be invited to complete a questionnaire to let the Council know
whether you support the introduction of the CPZ and also your views on its
hours of operation.
The specific question you will be asked is whether you support the
introduction of the CPZ in your road. It is likely to be the case that Residents at the
High Street end of Canons Drive, and those in Dorset Drive and Cavendish
Drive, who are currently the most affected by commuter parking, will be the
strongest supporters of the CPZ. Residents in roads such as Rose Garden Close and
Orchard Close, who are not currently so badly affected, may believe that the
CPZ is not relevant to them.
In considering your response, I would urge you to make proper allowance for
the possible implications of displacement parking. If the CPZ were to be
restricted to a relatively small area at one end of Canons Drive, the commuters may
simply park further up Canons Drive, which would clearly be an entirely
unsatisfactory result. Please also remember that even if you ultimately decide
that you do not support the introduction of a CPZ in your particular road, this
would not preclude you from making it clear to the Council that you still
support its introduction on the rest of the Estate.
It is absolutely critical that you complete and return the questionnaire
irrespective of whether you are for or against the introduction of a CPZ. The Council will make its final decision on the basis of the actual responses
received, irrespective of whether those responding constitute a representative
majority of all Residents.
Please do not allow the implementation of the CPZ in your Estate to be
decided by a minority of Residents.
If there is sufficient interest, the CPEA will consider organising a public
meeting with the Council Officers to allow further discussion of the proposed
scheme.
Once again, may I thank all those Residents who have supported the efforts of
the CPEA over the past few years.
Robert Graham
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