What it's all about...
As most people are probably aware, proposals have been put forward by Manchester City Council to implement a Residents' Parking Scheme in West Didsbury (click here to view the City Council website showing proposals), covering quite an extensive area. Parking can be problematic in West Didsbury - but what is being proposed does not actually offer a solution which "keeps everyone happy". The consequences of this scheme could go beyond residents being able to park our cars outside our homes more easily.
parking scheme impact on residents Residents

 

Between 3.00pm - 9.00pm, residents will need to display their permits on the designated side roads. One permit will be issued, free of charge, to every household within the proposed area, if a vehicle is registered. If more than one vehicle is registered at the property, additional permits, up to a maximum of 3 per household, will have to be purchased, at the cost of £45 per annum.

 

DOUBLE YELLOW LINES

 

The introduction of double yellow lines at various points throughout the scheme, will result in the number of parking spaces, currently available, being drastically reduced for residents. So, whether you have a permit or not, you may still find it very difficult to park near your property. If, as a resident permit holder you find a space on Burton Road (outside the shops) during the hours of 8.00am - 6.00pm, you'll have to feed the meter. And your maximum stay is 2 hours.

 

FREE PERMIT ALLOCATIONS

 

Your car has to be registered at your property in order for you to receive a free permit. Do you drive a company car? If it's not registered at your property, according to the documents, it looks unlikely that you will qualify for a free parking permit.

parkgin scheme impact on visitors Visitors

 

Visitors (shoppers, clients, diners, customers etc.), if driving, will be expected to use the Pay & Display bays on Burton Road and Cavendish Road, Monday - Saturday 8.00am - 6.00pm. The maximum stay is two hours, charged at 10p per 10 minutes. Outside of these hours, visitors can park free for an unlimited amount of time - but only the limited number of Pay & Display zones. The other alternatives will be to park at the hospital or park outside the zone (impacting on West Didsbury residents who live there) and walking the rest of the way in.

 

VISITORS TO RESIDENTS

 

Residents' family and friends, travelling to visit by car, who are not resident permit holders within the scheme, will need to display a Visitor Permit - you will need to purchase either an annual permit at the sum of £45 or an individual daily "scratch card" permit for £2.50 for a whole day's free parking. No-one seems to be clear about where these scratch cards can be purchased from. A number of visitors arriving at the same time for an important get together will become, let's say, and interesting logical exercise! Not forgetting midwives, builders, plumbers, electricians etc.

parking scheme impact on businesses Businesses

 

The current proposal does not indicate that businesses will be offered a parking permit(s).

 

Whereas at the initial consultation meeting in October, a council official was quoted as saying they wished to introduce a scheme which "keeps everybody happy", a glaring omission from the consultation document is "What this means for businesses". In fact, despite the independent business being the lifeblood of this area in many ways, there is scant mention of how this scheme will in all reality affect them, and in turn this vibrant area.

 

So, if this does go ahead, expect to see businesses over time to disappear from the scene. Understand that these empty units will be less attractive to would be entrepreneurs. And then consider how this new economy will affect the place in which we live and the prices of our properties. It's all very much connected.

 

What you can do about the residents parking sche,e What you can do

 

Read the Residents Parking Scheme documents carefully. Consider all the wider implications of this system becoming a reality. And USE YOUR VOICE. Complete and return the consultation form before April 15th.

 

See other schemes

 

A simple bit of research shows how it's worked, or not worked, in other areas in the UK. True stories of dramatic price increases once a scheme has been running and residents rejecting permit schemes:

 

East Finchley, London

Retford, Nottinghamshire

West Bridgford, Nottingham

 

Guardian article "Councils cash in on parking zones"

 

Waltham Forest charges

 

An example of an application form:

 

London Borough of Sutton

 

 

from the people of West Didsbury