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<strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> Parking Review<br />

<strong>Consultation</strong> <strong>results</strong><br />

Winter 2010


Table of contents<br />

Introduction............................................................................................................... 2<br />

Map of <strong>review</strong> areas................................................................................................ 3<br />

Table 1 - response rates for 2010 and 2006 surveys.............................................. 5<br />

Table 2 - 2010 residents response rates for each <strong>review</strong> area ............................... 5<br />

Table 3 - 2010 business response rates for the main <strong>review</strong> areas ........................ 6<br />

Findings..................................................................................................................... 7<br />

Stage 1 - How well does the current scheme meet the key objectives set out in the<br />

<strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> Urban Area Local Transport Plan (EUALTP) ....................................... 7<br />

Stage 2 – Review of existing <strong>parking</strong> controls in the town centre area ................... 7<br />

Summary of findings for Stage 1 & 2 Existing Town Centre Controlled Scheme .... 8<br />

Stage 3 – Review of <strong>parking</strong> in the area surrounding the town centre controlled<br />

area......................................................................................................................... 9<br />

Table 4 Support for principle of introducing controls ............................................... 9<br />

Summary of findings for Stage 3 Area Surrounding Town Centre ........................ 10<br />

Stage 4 – Review of <strong>parking</strong> in Meads, Rodmill and Hampden Park areas .......... 10<br />

Summary of findings for Stage 4 areas................................................................. 11<br />

Options.................................................................................................................... 11<br />

Stage 1 and 2 town centre area - options for further consideration:...................... 11<br />

Stage 3 areas surrounding the town centre - options for further consideration..... 12<br />

Stage 4 areas – options for further consideration ................................................. 12<br />

What happens next .............................................................................................. 13<br />

Contact us............................................................................................................... 13


Introduction<br />

This document contains a summary of the <strong>results</strong> of the <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> Parking<br />

Review, carried out in summer 2010 by our independent <strong>review</strong>ers, WSP Parsons<br />

Brinkerhoff. The <strong>results</strong> were presented to members of the county and borough<br />

councils, local businesses and residents’ forums.<br />

The information includes a summary of the key findings and options for the<br />

issues identified for each stage:<br />

Stage 1 – looked at how well the current town centre scheme is meeting the<br />

original objectives set out in the Local Transport Plan<br />

Stage 2 – looked for comments on the current town centre scheme and any<br />

adjustments that might be required<br />

Stage 3 – looked for information on any <strong>parking</strong> issues experienced in the area<br />

surrounding the current town centre scheme and the level of support for the<br />

principle of introducing <strong>parking</strong> controls<br />

Stage 4 – looked for information on any <strong>parking</strong> issues experienced in the Meads,<br />

Rodmill and Hampden Park areas and the level of support for principle of<br />

introducing <strong>parking</strong> controls<br />

A map of the <strong>review</strong> areas is shown below.


Map of <strong>review</strong> areas<br />

Stage 4<br />

Hampden Park<br />

Area<br />

Stage 4<br />

Rodmill Area<br />

Stage 3<br />

North Area<br />

Stage 3<br />

<strong>East</strong> Area<br />

Stage 4<br />

Meads Area<br />

Stage 1 & 2<br />

Town Centre Area<br />

Stage 3<br />

South Area<br />

Note: postal drop area households received a letter notifying them that the consultation was taking<br />

place in roads close to where they live


This was an extensive consultation with leaflets and questionnaires distributed to<br />

around 14,000 households & 2000 businesses and which received over 3000<br />

responses. People also had the opportunity to attend anyone of eight ‘drop-in’<br />

sessions, write, phone or e-mail their views or complete an online questionnaire.<br />

In addition, over 700 on-street interviews were randomly conducted in the town<br />

centre with members of the public to capture shopper, visitor and tourist views<br />

about <strong>parking</strong>.<br />

Figure 1 - Distribution of responses for the 2010 survey.


Table 1 - response rates for 2010 and 2006 surveys.<br />

2010<br />

Total responses<br />

2006<br />

Total responses<br />

Residents’<br />

survey<br />

2926 (18%) 3422 (28%)<br />

Business<br />

survey<br />

297 (14%) 419 (29%)<br />

Commuter<br />

survey<br />

66<br />

Visitor survey 40<br />

On-street<br />

survey<br />

739<br />

Stakeholder<br />

63 (25%)<br />

3 (10%)<br />

survey<br />

Total 4071 3904<br />

Table 2 - 2010 residents response rates for each <strong>review</strong> area<br />

Residents No. returns Representation<br />

Stage 1/2 344 12%<br />

Stage 3 <strong>East</strong> 295 13%<br />

Stage 3 North 453 20%<br />

Stage 3 South 234 15%<br />

Stage 4 Hampden Park 106 17%<br />

Stage 4 Rodmill 294 28%<br />

Stage 4 Meads 702 22%<br />

Generic 498 -<br />

Total 2926


Table 3 - 2010 business response rates for the main <strong>review</strong> areas<br />

Businesses No. returns Representation<br />

Stage 1/2 135 14%<br />

Stage 3 104 13%<br />

Stage 4 37 23%<br />

Generic 21 -<br />

Total 297


Findings<br />

Stage 1 - How well does the current scheme meet the key objectives set out in<br />

the <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> Urban Area Local Transport Plan (EUALTP)<br />

This part of the consultation looked at how well the current scheme meets the<br />

objectives set out in the <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> Urban Area Local Transport Plan. This includes<br />

residents being able to park near their homes and reducing illegal and inconsiderate<br />

<strong>parking</strong> in the town centre. It also considered other readily available data, such as<br />

traffic and congestion levels, to assess how successful the scheme has been.,.<br />

The <strong>results</strong> suggest that the current scheme is broadly meeting the key objectives:<br />

Many residents finding it easier to park on the street near their home.<br />

There is a significant perception that illegal and inconsiderate <strong>parking</strong> has<br />

reduced.<br />

There is general satisfaction with the level of charges for permits (however,<br />

many residents also believe that pay and display charges are too high).<br />

Shoppers and visitors continue to travel to <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> by car.<br />

There is also good evidence of evidence of modal shift towards more walking<br />

and bus use (increase in bus use is also supported by the Stagecoach’s own<br />

figures).<br />

Bus users believe that bus punctuality has improved.<br />

Traffic monitoring shows that peak time traffic levels have reduced in line with<br />

other coastal towns since the controls were introduced.<br />

However, views and perceptions among the business community respondents were<br />

generally less supportive. 60% of businesses that responded believe it is now more<br />

difficult for both employees and customers to park near their premises (compared<br />

with 23% of residents). Overall the business community respondents were generally<br />

less positive about the scheme.<br />

Stage 2 – Review of existing <strong>parking</strong> controls in the town centre area<br />

This stage looked at the current town centre <strong>parking</strong> controls and asked respondents<br />

for comments and suggestions about:<br />

• the days and hours of control<br />

• the length of permitted stay<br />

• seafront pay and display charges<br />

• possible changes to the layout and types of controls in their area.<br />

Hours of control<br />

The findings show that there are mixed views on the current days and hours of<br />

control:<br />

• More residents but fewer businesses are in favour of the current hours of<br />

control (8:00am to 6:00pm).


• Fewer residents but more businesses would prefer the controls to start or<br />

finish at different times.<br />

• Some respondents would like the controls to start or finish earlier and some<br />

would like the controls to start or finish later.<br />

Days of control<br />

A majority of residents and an even larger number of business respondents are<br />

satisfied with the current days of operation (Monday to Saturday) but a significant<br />

number of residents would like controls to operate on a Sunday. These were<br />

generally from streets closest to the town centre main shopping areas.<br />

Maximum length of stay<br />

• Many residents but a smaller percentage of businesses, think that the<br />

maximum stay of 2 hours in some areas is about right.<br />

• A significant number of residents (40%) and an even greater percentage of<br />

businesses (60%) believe that 2 hours maximum stay is too short.<br />

However, evidence from pay and display ticket sales data suggests that 60% of sales<br />

are for one hour or less and even in areas where 4 hour <strong>parking</strong> is permitted<br />

(excluding the seafront) only 13% of ticket sales are for more than 2 hours.<br />

Relaxing seafront controls<br />

There was an overwhelming majority from both the business and resident<br />

respondents, 77% and 74% respectively, in favour of making seafront <strong>parking</strong><br />

controls either cheaper or free in the winter. 58% think they should be free.<br />

Changes to layout<br />

Both residents and businesses requested additional <strong>parking</strong> provision. This included<br />

residents bays, shared permit bays, loading bays (residents wanted less, businesses<br />

wanted more), coach bays, disabled bays, pay and display bays and more time<br />

limited free <strong>parking</strong> outside shops from businesses.<br />

In addition there were requests for changes to the layout of existing <strong>parking</strong> bays and<br />

yellow line markings. This included removing double yellow lines and loading<br />

restrictions (kerb ‘blips’) and allowing short term <strong>parking</strong> outside shops (single yellow<br />

lines or time limited <strong>parking</strong>).<br />

Summary of findings for Stage 1 & 2 Existing Town Centre Controlled Scheme<br />

Significant demand for relaxation of seafront controls in winter.<br />

Demand for increasing the maximum length of stay to 4 hour <strong>parking</strong> in some<br />

areas...<br />

Requests for changes to days and hours of control.<br />

Requests for additional residents’ bays, loading bays, shared used bays and<br />

time limited bays.<br />

Requests for changes to road markings and layout of bays.


Stage 3 – Review of <strong>parking</strong> in the area surrounding the town centre controlled<br />

area<br />

This stage looked at <strong>parking</strong> problems in the area surrounding the town centre<br />

<strong>parking</strong> scheme with the <strong>results</strong> being summarised as:<br />

• the area to the east of the town centre<br />

• the area to the north of the town centre<br />

• the area to the south of the town centre<br />

(please see map)<br />

The consultation asked people if they had <strong>parking</strong> difficulties at various times and<br />

days of the week and what they believed might be causing the <strong>parking</strong> problems. It<br />

also asked if they supported the principle of introducing <strong>parking</strong> controls to help<br />

reduce any problems identified.<br />

Parking difficulties<br />

The majority of the respondents indicated that they experienced <strong>parking</strong> difficulties at<br />

some time with:<br />

• 74% of residents in <strong>East</strong> area experiencing difficulties<br />

• 58% of residents in North area experiencing difficulties<br />

• 68% of residents in South area experiencing difficulties<br />

The majority of the responses also suggested that these were caused by employee<br />

or commuter <strong>parking</strong>, visitors or shoppers and insufficient space for all of the<br />

resident’s cars.<br />

Support for <strong>parking</strong> controls<br />

However, when asked about whether they support the principle of introducing <strong>parking</strong><br />

controls in their street there was no overwhelming majority in any of the areas shown<br />

in Table 4 .<br />

Table 4 Support for principle of introducing controls<br />

Stage 3 In favour of controls Not in favour of controls<br />

Area Residents Businesses Residents Businesses<br />

<strong>East</strong> 45% 40% 42% 57%<br />

North 50% 21% 40% 76%<br />

South 54% 37% 37% 58%<br />

[The sample size of business responses was relatively small compared with the<br />

number of questionnaires sent to businesses].<br />

However, the <strong>results</strong> suggest that a significant number of people do experience<br />

<strong>parking</strong> difficulties and support the principle of introducing controls and where this is<br />

the case the greatest level of interest is for permit holder only <strong>parking</strong>.


Summary of findings for Stage 3 Area Surrounding Town Centre<br />

There are definite <strong>parking</strong> issues in these areas but there is not sufficient<br />

support for an area-wide extension of the town centre <strong>parking</strong> scheme.<br />

Problems are concentrated in streets closest to the town centre and existing<br />

controlled area.<br />

Residents’ access to off-street <strong>parking</strong> is limited, particularly in the eastern<br />

area.<br />

Problems are predominantly weekday, 8am to 6pm.<br />

Views on the need for <strong>parking</strong> controls are mixed, though demand is lower in<br />

the eastern area where residents are most likely to suffer from <strong>parking</strong><br />

problems.<br />

Stage 4 – Review of <strong>parking</strong> in Meads, Rodmill and Hampden Park areas<br />

This stage looked at <strong>parking</strong> problems in three areas not related to the town centre<br />

<strong>parking</strong> scheme associated with the Brighton University sites in Meads, the District<br />

General Hospital and Downs College in Rodmill and the train station at Hampden<br />

Park.<br />

Residents and businesses were asked if they experienced <strong>parking</strong> difficulties at<br />

various times and days of the week and what they believed might be causing the<br />

<strong>parking</strong> problems. It also asked if they supported the principle of introducing <strong>parking</strong><br />

controls to help reduce any problems identified.<br />

Parking difficulties<br />

Meads - 36% of respondents indicated experiencing <strong>parking</strong> difficulties at some time<br />

with particular problems in:<br />

• Meads Street where residents have conflict with 2 hour <strong>parking</strong> limit for<br />

local shops<br />

• Streets surrounding University & the schools<br />

• Streets close to seafront including South Cliff Avenue & Bolsover Road<br />

(east)<br />

• Streets in the north including Granville Road, Grassington Road,<br />

Blackwater Road and Carlisle Road<br />

Rodmill - 41% of respondents indicated experiencing <strong>parking</strong> difficulties at some<br />

time with particular problems in Rangemoor Drive, Framfield Way, Burton Road and<br />

Westfield Road.<br />

However, many properties in both these areas have off-street <strong>parking</strong> and many of<br />

the problems are associated with access to driveways and vehicles <strong>parking</strong> opposite<br />

or too close. There were also a large number of comments about inconsiderate<br />

<strong>parking</strong> on junctions and bends.


Hampden Park - 43% of respondents indicated experiencing <strong>parking</strong> difficulties at<br />

some time but it was a relatively small sample size with no particular streets<br />

indicating a significant problem.<br />

Support for <strong>parking</strong> controls<br />

When asked about whether they support the principle of introducing <strong>parking</strong> controls<br />

in their street there was no overwhelming majority in any of the areas with:<br />

• Meads - 37% of residents (and 2 businesses) were in favour of controls<br />

and 52% of residents (and 19 businesses) were not in favour<br />

• Rodmill – 52% of residents (and 2 businesses) were in favour of controls<br />

and 37% of residents (and 0 businesses) were not in favour<br />

• Hampden Park – 32% of residents (and 4 businesses) were in favour of<br />

controls and 54% of residents (and 5 businesses) were not in favour<br />

Summary of findings for Stage 4 areas<br />

Parking issues do not affect as high a proportion of residents in these areas as in<br />

Stage 3<br />

These are localised <strong>parking</strong> issues, eg near University, schools, hospital, shops<br />

and rail station<br />

Around a third of respondents in The Meads and Hampden Park support the<br />

principle of introducing controls but majority do not support controls<br />

Greatest interest in controls was in the Rodmill area but this area does not<br />

necessarily have area-wide <strong>parking</strong> difficulties<br />

Options<br />

As part of the analysis of the consultation findings, WSP PB also presented options<br />

for further consideration to help address the issues identified for each stage.<br />

Stage 1 and 2 town centre area - options for further consideration:<br />

• Review specific requests for changes on a street by street basis<br />

• Examine where amendments are appropriate<br />

• Undertake further consultation on the amendments<br />

• Review yellow line markings within the town centre area on streets where<br />

issues have been identified during the consultation<br />

• Review the loading bay policy and consider time of operation<br />

• Allow 4 hour on-street paid for <strong>parking</strong> with appropriate pricing (to deter shift<br />

from off-street car parks)


• Review off-season seafront controls and tariffs<br />

• ESCC & EBC to develop a comprehensive <strong>parking</strong> and pricing strategy for<br />

<strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> to ensure a co-ordinated approach towards the management and<br />

pricing of the town’s on-street and off-street <strong>parking</strong> stocks<br />

Stage 3 areas surrounding the town centre - options for further consideration<br />

• No area-wide extension of town centre <strong>parking</strong> scheme<br />

• There are particular <strong>parking</strong> difficulties around the edge of the town centre<br />

which need to be addressed by localised measures including:<br />

• Permit only and shared use bays<br />

• Time limited <strong>parking</strong> bays outside shops<br />

• Loading bays and disabled bays<br />

• Review of yellow lines and bar markings<br />

• Where problems have been identified on streets further away from the town<br />

centre scheme these should be examined on street by street basis and<br />

appropriate localised measures considered including shared permit and time<br />

limited <strong>parking</strong> bays<br />

• ESCC and EBC to consider complementary measures for commuters for<br />

inclusion in the local transport plan including Park and Ride, a Quality Bus<br />

Partnership, partnership agreements with rail operators and private car parks<br />

Stage 4 areas – options for further consideration<br />

• No area wide need for paid-for <strong>parking</strong> controls<br />

• Localised <strong>parking</strong> difficulties can be addressed by measures including:<br />

• Residents’ only permit scheme or short term <strong>parking</strong> restrictions for nonresidents<br />

in those streets with particular difficulties and very limited offstreet<br />

<strong>parking</strong><br />

• Time limited <strong>parking</strong> and enforced free <strong>parking</strong> to serve local shopping<br />

precincts<br />

• Relaxation of seafront <strong>parking</strong> controls in the Meads area to relieve<br />

pressure on adjoining residential streets<br />

• Review <strong>parking</strong> restrictions on Brassey Avenue to examine the viability<br />

of reducing the length of the double yellow lines to create more short<br />

stay <strong>parking</strong><br />

• Review yellow lines, <strong>parking</strong> restrictions and bar markings to ensure that<br />

accesses are preserved and visibility at junctions is maintained<br />

• Loading bays and disabled bays where required<br />

• The need for controls and appropriate type of controls should be examined on<br />

street by street basis<br />

• ESCC and EBC to work with the District General Hospital, Brighton University<br />

and <strong>Sussex</strong> Downs College and other employers in <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> to implement<br />

travel plan measures and explore how the impact of <strong>parking</strong> associated with<br />

these land uses could be reduced on surrounding streets<br />

Following presentation to ESCC and EBC members and the local business forum a<br />

number of other options were requested to be considered:


Seafront pay and display charges should be reduced or be free during this<br />

winter to support local trade particularly leading up to Christmas. [A<br />

recent Lead Member report approved the reduction of seafront charges<br />

from 1 December 2010 to 31 March 2011].<br />

The <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> Hospitality Association requested that all coach bays<br />

associated with hotels and guest houses in <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> are converted to<br />

loading bays.<br />

Closer working with the <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> Chamber of Commerce to understand<br />

their issues with the current scheme to help develop proposals to improve<br />

the effectiveness of the scheme for their members.<br />

ESCC officers to continue to work with <strong><strong>East</strong>bourne</strong> Hospitality Association<br />

to consider improvements to the hotel guest permit scheme.<br />

What happens next<br />

WSP PB will carry out detailed analysis of the <strong>results</strong> on a street by street and area<br />

by area basis. Local measures and changes will be developed and will be subject to<br />

further member and public consultation.<br />

There is a lot of detailed information to be considered and it will take time to work<br />

through all the options presented for each of the areas. The consultants will work<br />

with local members, business and resident groups to explore and develop<br />

appropriate measures before detailed proposals are presented for further public<br />

consultation later in spring 2011.<br />

Contact us<br />

For more information about this <strong>review</strong>, contact the Project Manager, Dale Poore.<br />

Phone: 01273 481916<br />

Email: dale.poore@eastsussex.gov.uk

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