Published On: Wed, Sep 21st, 2011

Elm Grove residents to fight pavement parking ban

Share This
Tags

Elm Grove residents are to fight planned parking enforcement that will prevent anyone from parking on the pavement.

Brighton and Hove City Council revealed earlier this month that a clampdown is being launched on pavement parking on Elm Grove due to safety concerns, but residents fear the loss of some 300 spaces will lead to ‘more parking congestion and danger’ in the area.

The Elm Grove Residents Action Group, which successfully campaigned against Controlled Parking Zones and parking restrictions in 2010, has reformed in an attempt to fight the council’s latest proposals.

Elm Grove and the surrounding roads suffer from overcrowding, particularly at peak times, and it has been common place for cars to park on the wide pavements for many years. Residents agree the situation is not ideal, but argue they have little choice.

A statement urging support for their campaign said: “Parking on the pavement is not ideal but given the shortage of spaces, we have no choice. When cars obstruct the pavement then they should be dealt with however, along Elm Grove the pavements are wide enough to accommodate cars without obstruction, if parked sensibly.”

The group continue: “Don’t let the Council bully us into schemes that we don’t want and that will not work.

“The Council must listen to the resident’s views and consult properly working with the community and not against it.

“We call on the council to defer the decision until a proper review and consultation can be undertaken.”

The council announced that residents would receive warning letters before tickets will begin being issued to offending car owners from 3rd October.

Residents are urged to attend the next Local Action Team meeting at 7pm on 26th September at The Hanover Pub.

  • http://twitter.com/NewsBrighton/status/116430309515468800/ News From Brighton (@NewsBrighton)

    Elm Grove residents to fight pavement parking ban – http://t.co/7zMI4slI

  • ziggy

    I live in the Elm Grove Area and as a cyclist I totally agree with these parking restrictions. Can you all start thinking of all road users and not just where you are going to park your car. This morning I couldn’t get out of Wellington Street onto Elm Grove safely as there was a van parked on double yellow lines obscuring my view of traffic coming up Elm Grove. I was on my push bike with my 3yr old on the back, trying to cross Elm Grove. It is very dangerous to have cars parked where ever they want. I think we all need to consider safety first in this case.

  • Katia Richardson

    This ban on parking is not going to deal with the problems locals face and will create severe problems in other streets in the area. There are clearly diverse needs in the community and most people in the area have multiple needs often being walkers, cyclists and drivers, and people who push pushchairs. There is a strong need for a well thought out plan that meets the diverse needs of all members of the community. 

    The council should engage with the community and work together to produce a development plan for the area.   

    Elm Grove has more
    space on the pavements than is common for streets in Brighton, which if planned
    well could be developed to meet residents needs far more effectively, providing
    more space efficient legal parking provision that is safer for walkers, cyclists
    and other road users as well as meeting the safety needs of local schools and
    people with mobility scooters or pushchairs.

    There is a petitioned asking the council to stop this ban and to engage with the community to find a solution. The petition can be signed here: http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgEPetitionListDisplay.aspx?bcr=1&TPID=1963041

    THERE IS CLEARLY A HUGE STRENGTH OF FEELING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO STOP THIS BAN GOING AHEAD WITH OVER 100 SIGNATURES HAVING BEEN ADDED TO THE ONLINE PETITION IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS!

  • Jobrighton

    I’m completely with you on vans/high roofed cars parked on corners (it’s dangerous for any road user or pedestrian) but the majority of the cars which are parked sensibly on the pavement would not be a problem.

  • Sam

    Its obvious that by doing this additional cars will be dispersed in the  Hanover and Hartington areas, thus making parking harder and then leading  people to drag up that old Chestnut of wether we need parking restrictions in these areas! 
    And then, our ever so helpful council can send out a survey and the whole thing can start again,  CPZ 2! After the last residents victory I suggest they give up now!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=736097657 Matt Andrews

     Hi Ziggy. I myself ride a bike with my child. I understand the problem you’ve expressed but i note that this is a separate issue to what is being discussed in this article. the council are targeting cars parked on the pavement, not on the yellow lines on the road. if the cars are being forced off the pavement then you will see more obstructions on the road than you do at present and i expect you will even see an increase of people parking on the double yellows. This is going to endanger cyclists like you and me. Much safer to park the cars on the pavement and keep the road clear. wouldn’t you agree?

  • jay316

    The answer is to put parking bays on the pavement / / / / << like so.. if you park outside them you get a ticket. simple.. but this is Brighton Council, ones who waste money on stupid plans!

Twitter Updates

    Tags

    A27 Accident American Express Community Stadium Ben Duncan Bill Randall Brighton Marina Buses Caroline Lucas Charity Church Road City College Brighton and Hove Crime Cycling Drugs Fire Gary Hampson Geoffrey Bowden Geoffrey Theobald Gill Mitchell Ian Davey Jason Kitcat Lewes Road Local Elections 2011 Mary Mears Mike Weatherley Missing Person murder Paul Elgood Pete West Phelim Mac Cafferty planning Preston Park Protest protests Sainsbury's Simon Kirby Smash EDO Stanmer Park Stefan Welch St James's Street Stop the Cuts Sussex Police travellers Warren Morgan Western Road

    Adverts