Draft scheme for possible parking restrictions in the vicinity of Portswood Gardens

By: Graham Muir, Traffic Engineer, Highways and Parking

Further to my letter of 5th February, we have now drafted a possible scheme of parking restrictions in the vicinity of Portswood Gardens for circulation to resident associations representing the area.

WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR FEEDBACK ON THESE PROPOSALS. PLEASE FORWARD YOUR COMMENTS TO THE SECRETARY.

Draft scheme for possible parking restrictions in the vicinity of Portswood Gardens

Further to my letter of 5^th February, we have now drafted a possible scheme of parking restrictions in the vicinity of Portswood Gardens for circulation to resident associations representing the area.

I have therefore attached a copy of the scheme, which you may wish to consider with interested members of the Highfield Residents Association.  At this stage these are not formal proposals and any prospective proposals that may follow will remain subject to due public notification and consultation.

The observations from our parking survey are outlined below, which very much reflect views from residents’:

·         The highest levels of on-street parking (as measured by % occupancy of the available kerbside) were recorded in the eastern section of Abbotts Way and the northerly section of Brookvale Road. The parking in Abbotts Way was generally short term (around 2 hours), presumably attracted by the amenities on Portswood Road.  The parking in Brookvale Road was slightly longer in length (2-3 hours), largely assumed to be (and from resident observations) university-related.

·         The westerly section of Abbotts Way also showed a high level of on-street parking; at the northern end overflowing from university-related parking in Brookvale Road and at the southern end, presumably again related to the amenities in Portswood Road

·         Russell Place had a similar predominance of shorter term parking, with medium to high levels of occupancy

·         The southern section of Brookvale Road had a relatively low level of on-street parking, being on the border of the university and retail-related short term parking to the north-east (as above) and the longer term commuter parking to the south-east in Winn Road and Westwood Road

·         The traffic survey data from Abbotts Way was measured for three days and compared with the same days of the week surveyed in the same road in 2003. The results showed an 11.5% increase in traffic volumes over the three days, though peak levels of traffic were the same at around 135 vehicles per hour between 8am – 9pm. The increase in traffic may be related to increasing levels of car use, together with traffic by-passing Portswood Road. The increase in traffic volumes and vehicle parking may have also contributed to the 13.4% reduction in vehicle speed (from 28.7mph to 25.3 mph, as measured between 2pm- 4pm). The traffic speeds are based on the 85^th percentile benchmark (i.e. the speed below which 85% of cars are travelling).

The components of the draft scheme are also outlined below:

Brookvale Road

·         Additional No Waiting at Any Time parking restrictions in the vicinity of side roads to increase visibility

·         1 Hour Limited Waiting parking restriction, 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday (Except Permit Holders) on the north-west side (i.e. residents parking), to provide on-street parking for residents

·         No Waiting 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday on the south-east side (i.e. single yellow), to reduce obstruction and increase visibility day time, weekdays

·         A small area of unrestricted parking, on the north-west side, where the houses front onto Woodstock Drive (on the principle that where parking does or would not cause an issue we would not wish to restrict it).

·         A No Waiting 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday restriction in the southern section of Brookvale Road to restrict any prospective displacement of parking, including Saturday to cover potential retail overflow parking.

Russell Place

·         A No Waiting 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday restriction across all kerbside with residential frontages, to increase visibility and facilitate access to driveways;

·         An unrestricted area, which may be used by visitors or for general parking

Abbotts Way

·         Additional No Waiting at Any Time parking restrictions in the vicinity of side roads and on the bend to increase visibility and road safety.

·         A No Waiting 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday restriction across most of the kerbside with residential frontages, to increase visibility and facilitate access to driveways;

·         Unrestricted areas, which may be used by visitors or for general parking

Highfield Lane

• Additional No Waiting at Any Time restrictions and  No Waiting 8am to 6pm Mon to Fri restrictions to improve access for buses and other wide vehicles

If you require any further information please contact me, otherwise any feedback from your association would be most welcome.

The file below contains the same text and a map showing the proposed locations for restrictions.