Agenda item

The Executive considered a report seeking authority to revoke the existing Borough of Surrey Heath (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2003 and replace it with a new Borough of Surrey Heath (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2017. The new Order would introduce a ‘No Return within 2 hours’ restriction in 4 Pay and Display Car Parks and introduce a Parking Places Order on St Georges Road Car Park, Camberley.

There were four Pay and Display Car Parks in the borough which offered free parking for up to two hours: Bagshot Car Park, Burrell Road Car Park in Frimley, Chobham Car Park, and Watchetts Road Car Park in Camberley. Motorists wishing to stay for longer than 2 hours were expected to pay the relevant tariff, up to £2.50 for all day parking.

Members were informed that instances had been reported of customers misusing the 2 hour free parking facility by returning to the car park every 2 hours and obtaining another free 2 hour parking ticket, thereby receiving free parking for longer than the 2 hours and not paying the appropriate tariff for their stay. Officers had received requests from businesses in Chobham asking for this to be addressed and advised that the policy should be consistent across the Car Parks.

The Executive was informed that St Georges Road car park was owned by the Council, with access in to the car park controlled by E & J Ground Rents, Winchester. E&J Ground Rents controlled access to ensure that only permitted vehicles parked in the private permit bays within the service area.

The control system for this car park had been out of operation for several years, although it was reported that the barrier had recently been reinstated. As a result of this situation, parking in the unregulated service area had become uncontrolled, unsightly and had resulted in the deterioration of the upkeep of the grassed areas and commercial waste facilities.

It was advised that introducing a Parking Places Order on St Georges Road Car Park would enable Parking Services to install parking bays to control where vehicles are parked. This would also ensure access for waste vehicles and ensure the grassed areas were kept clear and tidy.

The Borough of Surrey Heath (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2017 would be subject to a 4 week consultation period, being advertised in both the local press and the car parks, after which the Executive Head of Business, in consultation with the Business Portfolio Holder, would be authorised to consider any objections arising from the public consultation.

RESOLVED to

(i)          implement a ‘No Return within 2 hours’ restriction in the  pay and display car parks;

(ii)        introduce a parking places order in St Georges Road car park in that all vehicles must park within the marked bays;

(iii)      implement the Borough of Surrey Heath (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2017; and

(iv)      authorise the Executive Head of Business, in consultation with the Business Portfolio Holder, to consider any objections arising from the public consultation.