Neil Richardson, the Highways
Manager, provided the Committee with a verbal update on the
Saracens Event Day Controlled Parking Zone.
Mr Richardson informed the
Committee that the primary features of the Event Day Controlled
Parking Zone (CPZ) were:
- To ensure
effectiveness for the area;
- To ensure that the
use of the developed Barnet Copthall Stadium did not adversely
impact on residents and traders and other community based
activities; and
- That Saracens would
meet all reasonable costs to introduce and maintain the measures,
including enforcement of any restrictions introduced.
The Highways Manager advised
the committee that kick-off times would be varied throughout the
season and that there would be no kick-offs before 12.00
noon.
The Committee were informed
that there were 7,500 people in the CPZ that were eligible to apply
for a permit or visitor’s vouchers. Households could apply for up to 88 parking
vouchers per annum, with additional vouchers being made available
to support congregations and other community activities.
The Highways Manager noted the
importance of making sure that the highways were safe for all road
users. The Committee were advised that
only one test match had taken place so far at the Copthall Stadium
on 27 January 2013. Officers reported
that “light” enforcement had been undertaken on that
day where vehicles in contravention of parking restrictions were
given a leaflet advising of the Event Day parking controls and
advising drivers of the dates of the remaining matches for the
current season. The Highways Manager
also advised the Committee that a similar approach would be taken
at the next match on 16 February 2013, but that yellow line
restrictions would be enforced.
Lisa Wright, the Traffic and
Development Manager, informed the committee that Officers will be
monitoring each match of the current season to assess the parking
impact.
The Highways Manager informed
the Committee that they would be carrying out another consultation
with every property in the area at the end of the current season,
asking for views on the scheme.
Comments made would be taken on board to help determine whether any
changes to the scheme might be required moving forward.
Referring to the light
enforcement, where leaflets were given to cars that would otherwise
have received tickets, a Member questioned how many of these
leaflets had been issued. He was
advised by Officers that the figure was approximately 140
leaflets. Responding to a question,
Officers informed the Committee that the vehicles that were
leafleted as part of the light enforcement were situated throughout
the CPZ. Officers advised the Committee
that the attendance for the match was approximately
3,700. The Committee noted that as this
was a test game, the maximum attendance would be in the region of
4,000. Attendance was expected to be
higher at future matches.
A Member questioned if it was
unusual for residents to not have to pay for permits. Officers responded that it was, but that they were
being provided at zero cost to residents by Saracens in recognition
that there would be some impact on residents on match
days. Responding to a question
from the Committee, the Highways Manager advised that the
resident’s permits and parking vouchers arrangement was
legally binding.
The Chairman invited Mill Hill
Ward Councillors, John Hart and Sury Khatri, to address the
Committee.
Councillor John Hart noted that
the scheme was still in its early days.
He informed the Committee that many people were unhappy with the
five hour period of the parking restrictions, and questioned
whether this period was necessary.
Councillor Hart informed the Committee that he had attended the
Mill Hill Resident’s Association with Councillor Sury Khatri
where approximately 300 people had been in attendance in relation
to this matter. Councillor Hart also highlighted that people could
misuse the parking vouchers.
Councillor Hart highlighted to
the Committee that the attendees of the last match were largely
from the home team and suggested that these attendees could be
managed more easily that the supporters of the visiting
team. He informed the Committee that
the Copthall Open Space should be considered as an open space for
everyone. Councillor Hart also noted
that improvements had been made in the area as a result of the
development.
A Member referred to Councillor
Hart’s contribution to a previous Planning and Environment
Committee and asked Councillor Hart to confirm that Saracens had
agreed to that the maximum capacity of the stadium would 10,000
people and no more. Councillor Hart
confirmed that this was correct.
Councillor Sury Khatri
addressed the Committee and highlighted his concern that Ward
Members had not had enough involvement in the early discussions
with Officers and Saracens. Councillor
Khatri questioned whether resident’s interests were being
adequately considered. Councillor
Khatri suggested that all matches should start at 3:00 pm and
raised concern over residents being able to have quiet enjoyment of
their everyday lives. Referring to the
Human Rights Act, Councillor Khatri questioned the impact of the
CPZ and stadium on resident’s rights to family
life.
A Member questioned Councillor
Khatri on the 88 parking vouchers that are available to each
household within the area. Councillor
Khatri informed the Committee that he did not consider this number
to be sufficient.
The Chairman then invited the
Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, and the
Director for Place, Pam Wharfe, to address the
Committee. The Director for Place
invited Councillor Khatri to meet with her to discuss his concerns
further. It was agreed that the meeting would involve all affected
Ward Councillors.
Ms Wharfe also noted that the
planning application that had been made was for 10,000 attendees
only. The Leader of the Council
reaffirmed the fact that should Saracens wish to increase capacity
to 15,000 in the future, then another planning application would be
necessary.
The Highways Manager stated
that he believed that Saracens were working to ensure that the
scheme had minimal impact on residents.
Responding to a question, he informed the committee that 3,192
resident’s permits and approximately 118,000 parking vouchers
had been issued, and that Saracens would pay the Council the amount
for the given number of permits or vouchers issued.
A Member raised concerns that
people who were travelling to watch a match might consider that a
parking ticket on account of a parking contravention could be
factored in as part of the cost of a day out. The Highways Manager informed the Committee that
this was a possible risk, but where safety was being compromised,
the police could be involved.
Officers advised the committee
that they were keen to conduct an audit of resident’s views
of the success of the scheme, and would allow people plenty of free
text to provide their opinions. There
will also be the option of both online and hard copies. Ward
Councillors requested that they were involved with the drafting of
the consultation.
A Member questioned what
consultation had taken place at the beginning of the
scheme. The Director for Place informed
the Committee that the consultation had formed part of a planning
application determined by a the Planning and Environment Committee
who considered that a CPZ was necessary in order to manage the
impact on residents and that Officers have subsequently conducted
statutory consultation.
Councillor Khatri suggested
that electronic signs should be considered as a way of reducing the
five hour time period for parking restrictions. Officers agreed to investigate the cost of
variable signage.
RESOLVED that:-
1. The Committee note the
update on the Saracens Event Day Controlled Parking Zone as set out
in the report and as detailed above.
2. Members note the request
that adjacent Ward Councillors be involved in the CPZ review at the
end of the season.
3. The Committee note the
invitation from the Director for Place to meet with Mill Hill Ward
Members
4. Officers are requested to
give consideration to the costing installing variable signs for the
CPZ zone.
5.
That the Committee requested to receive update on the review of the
Saracens Event Day CPZ scheme which would be conducted at the end
of the current season.
