24 Sep 2024
Has SADC already purchased the parking machines it needs to impose charges in Harpenden, despite the fact that the results of a public consultation have yet to be taken into account?
Many town residents believe the proposals are a fait accompli and the district council will steamroll ahead with the scheme despite huge opposition.
A swathe of new parking machines have recently been acquired by SADC on the auspices of replacing outdated meters across the district, rather than being specific to Harpenden.
But the timing of the purchase seems rather coincidental, given that new on-street meters could be in operation in the town in a matter of weeks.
One resident, who requested not to be named, has asked the council’s parking infrastructure manager Des Crehan to explain the process behind the ordering and installation timetable, and whether any of the recently ordered machines would be used in the town.
She said: “I just want to establish that the consultation is a genuine one – as many believe the decision has been made, ignoring our community’s views so that this consultation is pointless.
“Also, please could you provide the cost benefit analysis you have undertaken for the scheme: the cost of buying them, ripping up our pavements to install them, maintaining them, projected annual income from them plus fines, against the loss of business to Harpenden.
“You would need to include the macro-economic impact – on residents particularly elderly ones – no longer feeling able or confident to use the town’s facilities, and the subsequent impact on their health, social and activity ability. Presumably you would have included in your calculations the impact on our roads of the additional delivery drivers as residents switch to digital shopping, Amazon etc.
“You would have factored (I imagine) in the additional pollution from vehicles constantly waiting to park and then move off and consequent congestion especially in the narrow part outside Waitrose.”
Mr Crehen responded: “It is not possible to answer the question regarding placement of machines as this would dependant on the outcome of the consultation. The responses to the consultation are being collated and the alternative proposals being identified for further consideration. Whether machines are placed in any of the limited waiting bays around St Albans or Harpenden (this proposal includes bays in both the city and Harpenden) depends on the outcome of that exercise.
“We are following a statutory procedure for the making of a Traffic Regulation Order. I can assure you the schemes are run in complete compliance with our statutory responsibilities and the council does not run consultations that are not genuine. Regarding this consultation, we increased the response time to 28 days (the statutory is 21 days) and actively encouraged people to respond.
“I can assure you therefore this is a genuine consultation, and we are taking on board all responses.
“We do not conduct cost analysis when proposing to implement parking restrictions.
“The council has a statutory duty to manage our road network, to ensure safe movement of traffic, and to manage the kerbside space to ensure the roads are kept safe for all road users, and sufficient and safe parking is available. Therefore, when proposing restrictions or parking schemes the priority if to meet these statutory responsibilities.
“There is no evidence to support the believe that all residents will now order home deliveries, especially when in some cases the delivery fee would exceed the cost of parking.
“We are aware from the responses we have received and from traffic surveys there is congestion and kerbside space pressure in the town centre. The aim of this proposals, as outlined in our statement of reasons, is to address these issues by deterring unnecessary car use encourage turnover of kerbside space. Parking charges are a powerful tool in reaching this aim.
“Regarding vehicles queuing for parking in Waitrose, there is already a maximum time limit at this car park and parking is for customers only. Although parking is currently free, you may find that this quickly changes if motorists start to park to visit the town centre.”
Former Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Nigel Gardner, is still being asked by residents to try and prevent the proposals.
He said: “I think this actually goes beyond parking now – it’s not even about money. It’s a wilful and deliberate attempt to push through an ideological driven policy despite knowing 17,000 residents and dozens of businesses are against it because of the harm it will do to Harpenden.”
Chris Traill, SADC strategic director for community and place delivery, confirmed the authority’s position: “We recently ordered nine new car parking payment machines that are able to take contactless payments.
“They may be used at limited time waiting bays in Harpenden if charges are introduced as is currently proposed.
“However, if that scheme does not go ahead, they will used to replace existing machines at other locations which are in urgent need of being upgraded.
“Many of those machines are reaching the end of their life and are not able to accept contactless payments.”
Chris added: “No decisions have been taken regarding proposals to introduce charging at a number of limited waiting bays in Harpenden and St Albans.
“The feedback we have received is being analysed and a report will be submitted to the next meeting of the public realm committee.
“Under the terms of our constitution, the final decisions have to be taken by me, as strategic director, in consultation with the committee’s chair.
“However, the committee will debate the issue and its view will, of course, be taken into consideration.”
