A new strategy outlining The Council’s approach to parking management over the next ten years is being discussed at a cabinet meeting next week (agenda item 13, Tuesday 8 November 2022).
The first strategy of its kind in Southend-on-Sea, if approved, the comprehensive plan will help set the framework and guide existing and future parking schemes throughout the City. This will include how schemes follow the four new principles of parking:
- To provide parking where possible
- Control parking where necessary
- Enforce parking fairly and consistently
- Operate parking efficiently and cost effectively
The strategy follows on from a parking review carried out in 2019, with the aim of improving the existing parking across Southend-on-Sea to benefit residents, businesses and visitors. As part of this review, the council consulted with internal stakeholders on the draft parking strategy, with comments feeding into the draft document.
Following the review, an eight-week public consultation was launched, where residents and businesses were asked to complete a survey which would help shape the finalised parking strategy for Southend-on-Sea.
The council’s cabinet are now recommended to agree and adopt the finalised version of the parking strategy and the policies set out in the report.
Cllr Steven Wakefield, cabinet member for highways, transport and parking, said: “One of our goals as a council has been to enhance the City’s parking and highways policies to ensure there is a consistent approach to make driving and parking convenient and effective for the people in Southend.
“I am pleased that this report addresses the need for increased electric vehicle (EV) charging points in key locations. With the Government announcing the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030, we need to ensure the right infrastructure is in place ahead of time. This may also encourage motorists to start switch to less polluting vehicles sooner, aligning with our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.
“The strategy, if approved, will provide a clear direction over the next ten years, so that all current and future parking projects are connected through our values of making parking fair, safe, consistent and transparent and help us ensure that parking in local streets is also truly accessible for local residents.”
The report will be discussed at Cabinet on Tuesday 8 November 2022.