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134 Chapter 8should be left until the schemehas settled down.A firm commitment to a postimplementation review can behelpful in dealing with objectionsto the implementation of theinitial scheme. Many consulteesraise concerns and problemsthat could unnecessarilycomplicate the scheme ifchanges were made toaccommodate them. Often theseconcerns are not well founded,for example, when it is knownthat they have not arisen in othersimilar schemes. A postimplementationreview can alsoprovide a genuine route forconsidering a response to anyunforeseen problems that arise.Authorities should take earlyaction if such unforeseenconsequences are causingunexpected hardship. The use ofexperimental orders may beuseful in these circumstanceswith reviews afterwards, beforepermanent implementation.Otherwise changes should notbe made until the scheme hasbecome established.User satisfactionExercises such as Best Valuereviews should provide goodevidence of customer views.The review in West Sussex (2001) provided interesting evidence of usersatisfaction on three Controlled Parking Schemes which had been established forone, five and ten years respectively.The survey was undertaken by sending questionnaires to holders of ResidentsPermits on renewal, handing them to visitors at Parking Shops, sending them tolocal forums, placing them on the windscreens of vehicles parked within CPZs andalso on those vehicles parked in the areas immediately surrounding the CPZs. Inaddition a small number of face-to-face street interviews were held in town centresand the questionnaire was available on the County’s website.This survey revealed that, in the three towns, overall levels of satisfaction with onstreetparking schemes varied and suggested a correlation between the age of thescheme and the overall level of satisfaction with it.Length of time that scheme had been operational: % Satisfied:1 year old scheme 43%5 year old scheme 54%10 year old scheme 68%Even in the longer established schemes the main reason for dissatisfaction wasenforcement, or lack of it. These results suggest that, whilst there may be a lowlevel of satisfaction immediately after implementing a scheme, the level ofsatisfaction should grow over time. Though the reasons for this were notestablished, the implication for those promoting parking schemes is encouraging –albeit requiring a long-term view!Higher levels of satisfaction have been achieved earlier by other schemes. Theextension of Chichester’s CPZ in 1994 saw the introduction of a zone with a onehour a day parking restriction, on an experimental basis, in order to address issuesof displaced parking. Within two months of the scheme’s implementation, levels ofsatisfaction in excess of 85% were recorded in an after-survey of residents.Provided that schemes are wellmanaged, maintained, up-datedor amended in response tochanging circumstances, publicsatisfaction can increase overtime, as demonstrated in WestSussex. On the other hand, if ascheme is neglected or is nolonger appropriate thenbusinesses and residents mayhave increasing cause forcomplaint. In particular,traditional “blanket” yellow linecontrols are rarely appropriate inareas where it is important toallocate kerbside space betweendifferent users.Consultation techniquesThe techniques to be employedwill vary with each type ofconsultation, not only because ofdiffering levels of detail required,but also because of differencesbetween statutory and nonstatutoryrequirements. Broadrecommendations are providedin Table 8.2, but it is importantthat local authorities shoulddecide what is appropriate tomeet the particularcircumstances (see also Figure4.1).Two important distinctions canbe made between differentconsultation techniques. First,some techniques are appropriatefor ongoing consultation (such asa Forum) while others are “oneoff”techniques (such as anexhibition). Second, techniquesvary as to their suitability forconsulting targeted groups andindividuals or for consulting acommunity in general.1. Stakeholder groupsStakeholder groups are crucial toeffective public consultation.Local authorities will need toensure that all relevant interestgroups and their representativesare included. These includevarious categories:● Local Councils, residents’associations primarilyconcerned with the amenitiesof their locality and otherlocal associations with ageneral interest such asConservation Area Advisory