Residents' parking zone trial shelved (From This Is Local London)

Residents' parking zone trial in Marlow shelved

7:20am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Where I Live By James Nadal

AN EXPERIMENTAL residents' parking zone in some of Marlow's most congested streets has been shelved.

Householders in York and Cambridge Road have long campaigned for a permit scheme andbefore Christmas officials indicated an 18 month trial may be introduced.

Yet, this week highways authority Buckinghamshire County Council said it has decided it is not the right way forward and will carry out a further consultation.

BCC asked residents if they wanted a permit scheme late last year and after saying yes, officials began developing one.

But then it was announced, after discussions with Marlow Town Council, a review of the whole town would take first before any residents schemes would be approved.

The issue came to a head when Sainsbury's opened its new West Street store in November.

Placard bearing protesters took to the streets surrounding Riley Park fearing the 140 extra staff needing to find parking spaces would make their existing problem even worse.

BCC spokesman Laura-Jo Stocks said yesterday, regarding the trial residents scheme, there had been a change in approach.

She said:“We did look at the experimental order but it became obvious that there were significant differences in opinion and having considered the issue in more detail we did not feel that imposing an experimental order was the right way forward.

“By re-consulting then we will be able to tease out the most appropriate solution for the area. We will carry out an informal and formal consultation.”

Some councillors have expressed fears that by creating a parking permit scheme in one area, it will displace the problem to another part of Marlow.

Residents near Sainsbury's said having the supermarket on their doorstep made their problems more pressing.

BCC said it is investigating other alternative forms of parking restrictions and a town-wide review is ongoing to shape these proposals.

The process is expected to take up to three months.

Cllr Scott, who represents Marlow on the town and county council, said: “We urgently need to seek a long term solution, but in the short term I have asked officers to re-consult with residents in the Cambridge Road area on a wider selection of options before a final decision is made.

”However, he did not shut the door on a trial zone completely.

“If, as a result of this consultation, an experimental order is agreed, this will allow local councillors and officers to examine the knock on effects of any displaced parking and assist them with proposals for a town wide solution,” he said.

Mayor Jocelyn Towns said everything is being done that can be on finding a solution but added:

“We mustn't lose sight that we have to look at the impact on Marlow as a whole.”