Review of Parking Arrangements

by Communications TEAM | Feb 28, 2018 | announcement

In August 2017, an approach was made by one of the merchants (Simon Littlejohn) requesting a review of the current parking restrictions on Henderson Street, increasing the current time limit from 30 minutes to 60 minutes free on-street parking. Mr Littlejohn conducted his own consultation with other merchants as well as customers. This resulted in 32 traders and over 700 customers supporting an increase. Given the importance of our local high street to the benefit of the town, the Community Council agreed to support a consultation about this issue and also distributed a consultation via Facebook to ascertain views of local residents. Of the 100 likes/comments (assuming that a “like” is in support of the proposal), the majority of contributors were supportive of an increase to the time limit.

On 7th November, Mike Watson and Joanne Chisholm on behalf of the Community Council met with Stephen Easton at Stirling Council and Councillor Graham Houston to discuss a range of proposals and to agree a way forward. We are now embarking upon a formal period of consultation.

The following proposals are being put forward for consideration.

1. On-street parking on Henderson Street and Fountain Road

It is proposed that all parking spaces on the northside of Henderson Street (e.g. outside Baynes, the newsagent, Lloyds Pharmacy, etc) are retained as a 30 minute waiting time between 9.00-18.00 and all those on the southside of Henderson Street are increased to a 60 minute waiting time between 9.00-18.00. It is suggested that providing a mix of 30 and 60 minute parking will accommodate those who require a short stopping time to conduct their business (e.g. collect a prescription, a newspaper, etc) and longer for those wishing to browse shops or have a coffee. Stirling Council assure us that appropriate signage will aim to minimise any potential confusion and that similar schemes operate elsewhere with no issue. Indeed we already have a mixture of restricted and unrestricted parking arrangements on Henderson Street with appropriate signage to inform drivers. It is proposed that Fountain Road on-street parking would remain as 30 minutes.

2. Public Car Parking

Public car parks include the lower car park adjacent to the Co-op on Fountain Road, the car park at the Health Centre and Library, and the public car park on Allanvale Road. It is proposed that signage is improved in directing drivers to these car parks in the instance that they wish to stay longer than 1 hour.

However, it is also proposed that some new restrictions are implemented

1. Implement a restriction to the Fountain Road Public Car Park (adjacent to the Co-op) whereby people can park for a maximum 3-hour waiting period free of charge.
2. Consider the introduction of car park charges for stays beyond 3 hours on the Fountain Road public car park adjacent to the Co-op.

We have developed a short parking survey to gather the views of all interested parties and would appreciate your response www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BofAparking2018. The survey will close on Friday 30^th March 2018. A display of a parking map and paper copies of the survey are available in the library. The parking map can also be found at www.ccbridgeofallan.org.uk. If you wish to speak directly to us then our contact details can be found at the bottom of this letter.

We appreciate that there is never an easy answer to issues such as parking but we hope that through this consultation exercise, we will make changes that are reflective of the needs of the varied stakeholders.

We thank you for your time and contribution to this consultation process.

Yours faithfully

Mike Watson                                                            Joanne Chisholm

Chair, Community Council                                     Community Council Member

Email: contact@bridgeofallan.org.uk

Parking Map