Following the issues the Local Assembly has raised regarding parking, the Council is now consulting all areas of Lee Green ward that don’t currently have a Controlled Parking Zone about parking in their area.

If you’re in a road in Lee Green Ward that doesn’t have parking restrictions, you should have received a booklet like the one on the right over the last week or so*. The consultation explains what’s happened to date and then asks if you have a parking problem in your area, asks how you’d like this addressed (a CPZ, extra restrictions like yellow lines on corners, or just for the area to be left as it is).  The consultation also asks about car clubs, which is good to see.

I’d make two comments – firstly, this consultation has gone to to every road in the ward without restrictions at present.  I’m sure in amongst those roads there are several that don’t have a parking problem, and just want to be left alone.  That’s fair enough, but I hope people will appreciate that it’s only by doing this once-and-for-all consultation that we’ll be able to find that out.  If this is the case on your road, then please do indicate that and return the consultation – if you don’t speak up, then your voice won’t be heard.

Secondly, if people do want a CPZ in their area, then I’d encourage them to use the ‘other comments’ section to state exactly what sort of CPZ they’d like to see.  Many, many people have asked me why we can’t have the 2-hour CPZs that exist in other boroughs like Greenwich and Bromley.  I think that is what’s needed in an area like ours, where the problem is all-day commuter parking by stations, rather than shoppers, or people visiting the hospital.  If you’d prefer a two-hour arrangement, then please do make that point in the comments section – otherwise we’ll end up with more 9am to 7pm CPZs that make the Mayor £1.3million, but cause tonnes of inconvenience for everyone else.

Finally, if anyone has any issues they’d like to raise with me, then do please get in touch.

*update – this excludes residents on Holme Lacey and Dallinger Roads, and a small section of Manor Lane – these roads will be presented with more detailed proposals for a CPZ covering their roads.  I’m told the consultation document for this area should be ready in the next four weeks or so.