Disabled parking - Twerton and Whiteway

Last year, Councillor Sarah Moore requested that several advisory disabled bays were upgraded to enforceable bays to aid parking for our less mobile residents, one of these bays is on Garrick Road and two on Highland Road.

As parking is increasingly difficult for all residents we have received more requests to convert advisory bays to enforceable bays as residents are struggling to get from their vehicle to their home due to the distance they have to park.

The key distinctions between an advisory bay and an enforceable bay is that it has a legal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) assigned to it by the Council and it has a sign erected on a post (or lamppost) on the pavement as close to the bay as possible confirming is it for blue badge holders. All on-street bays are white with the word DISABLED painted on the road next to them. When using these bays a valid blue badge MUST be displayed as a PCN (parking ticket) can be given to non blue badge holders for parking in these bays.

This year we have requested that all other advisory bays in Twerton and Whiteway are converted from advisory to enforceable bays to make sure they can be accessed by our less mobile residents.

Only bays that have been assigned via a TRO are enforceable and so anyone who requests a new advisory bay will not have it automatically "plated".

Freeview Road - Additional Parking

I am really pleased to see that the first section of the additional parking in Freeview Road will be available for use from tomorrow.

This has been a long time coming, I first lobbied Tim Ball in 2016 and despite getting funding secured, the work resource was not allocated.

The second section will not be open until Friday as we are waiting for a Gas main to be lowered.

Hopefully, this will help to relieve some of the parking pressures this road has experienced for a considerably long time.

Lower Bristol Road Parking

In March this year we met with Highways officers to discuss options for restricting parking and making crossing the Lower Bristol Road safer. 

We discussed the option of putting in additional parking bays and restricting the parking on the rest of this stretch of road with double yellow lines as per the plan below.

We have responded to these options stating that we do not think parking opposite the turning into the bus depot is suitable and also asked for costings for a light controlled crossing to be installed.

The risk of not putting in any additional parking on this stretch of road would mean there is even more opportunity of speeding on a wide open road.

We have chased up progress on this as we feel it is now become an urgent issue and does meet the criteria for improving walking routes.

We will provide a further update as soon as we have received an up to date response from the Highways team.

Freeview Road - New parking

Residents in Freeview Road have experienced considerable difficulty with parking provision for a long time and we have been working for a number of years to get agreement for additional spaces to be provided.  This was one of the commitments we made during the election and are pleased to be able to finally make it happen.

Having secured funding, we are pleased to confirm that the Highways team have agreed the following 2 areas for additional parking in Freeview Road:

 

This provision is next to the existing parking near the entrance to Innox Park.  Unfortunately, there are no suitable areas in the middle of Freeview Road, but these spaces should help to reduce the pressures further along the road. 

As soon as the work order has been placed with the contractor we will let residents know.

We are also still working with residents in other areas of Twerton & Whiteway where parking is also an issue to try and find a resolution. 

Disabled parking bays and pedestrianised areas City Centre

Residents have been asking about parking in the city centre and what areas have restricted access for cars and what is now a pedestrian area.

A map is below that may help.

Lower Bristol Road - Parking

We have again requested the Council urgently review the state of parking on the Lower Bristol Road, specifically on the section from MacDonalds up to the Turnpike.

As you will be aware at this time of year, coaches are usually permitted to park along a large section of this road, especially along the fastest section, making it even more dangerous than usual.

This is not acceptable, we have asked officers to review this practice and look at alternative locations.

We have secured some additional double yellow line parking restrictions to be put in place, but again, we do not feel this covers a large enough section of this road to make it safe and have asked for this to be reviewed at the same time.

We appreciate that coaches may have already been granted permits to park on this section of road, however, we have asked for the restrictions to be imposed as soon as possible.

We will update you further when we have received a response.

Freeview Road - parking updates

We have been alerted to a leaflet being put out in Freeview Road today. we understand leaflet was talking about parking bays and not the funding that we have secured putting in grass crete to allow parking on the grass areas.

Councillor Tim Ball and Sarah Moore have carried out a considerable amount of work on this issue including meetings, emails and telephone conversations, we first received firm costings for the work in September 2016 and have been fighting hard to get a resolution.

We are really pleased to have received the below confirmation this morning that shows money has been allocated for some of the parking improvements to be made on Freeview Road.

Dear Cllr Ball 

Following our telephone conversation I can confirm funding that was recommended by Bath City Forum was signed off through a single member decision that was cleared in 18th September 

2018.https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?id=1129&LLL=0 

£14,400 allocation from the Bath CIL neighbourhood portion for application BA-036, a contribution towards parking improvements located at Site C, Freeview Road, Twerton Bath.  

£19,600 allocation from the Bath CIL neighbourhood portion for application BA-037, a contribution towards parking improvements located at Site E, Freeview Road, Twerton Bath.

We will of course continue to fight to find more funding to carry out additional works on other areas of the road and will provide an update on this when we receive it.

Police say please don't park on the pavements

The Police have are warning residents in Twerton that parking on the pavement the obstructs pedestrians getting past without walking in the road will not be tolerated.

In the latest clampdown residents of Sheridan Road are being warned by a letter being placed on the windscreens of offending vehicles By the Police not to park on the pavement.

The Police have informed us that they will issue fines to persistent offenders.

If you currently park on the pavement please done or you will risk getting fined, pavements have also been for pedestrians not cars.

Freeview Road (parking etc)

I have asked the council to remove the mud from the pavement at this section of Freeview Road.

I have also asked Curo for two bollards to be installed on the edge of the grass area that is being totally destroyed by vehicles reversing off and driving onto this area.

In the medium term I am waiting to see if this area will be added to the councils capital program to create additional parking.

I have also asked Curo to contribute to the cost of any parking spaces that are created.

Freeview Road ( parking )

After months of work we now have the costings for the much needed extended parking areas.

We will now be working with Curo and Bath & North East Somerset Council to identify the ares that can be delivered quickly and who will pay for them.

We will keep residents updated as to how quick we can deliver these areas.

Pavement parking

Many residents are contacting us regarding pavement parking after we highlighted the issue so we thought that we would give you a quick update.

Residents tell us that they feel it's important to be able to park close to their homes but are critical of parking on the pavement which many see as wrong as it causes difficulties for mobility impaired people and parents with children.

We have already met Curo and are meeting with the council in a few weeks time to discuss what can be done in Freeview Road and Sheridan Road.

If you have any comments on this then please contact us.

Parking on Pavements

I put the following question to Cabinet about parking on pavements.

Parking on pavements and grass verges in Twerton is becoming a nightmare for pedestrians.  This affects the disabled and partiality sighted residents the most and can have devastating effects on their lives.  Will the cabinet ensure that its officers work with Curo the Police and the community of Twerton in order to resolve this ever growing problem?  Will the cabinet look at what other powers they are able to bring down from government to tackle this problem?  Will the cabinet investigate what financial resources may be needed in order to resolve some of the problems uncovered?

The answer that I received although not very good is a start gives some hope?

Unlike Greater London, there is currently no national legislation banning the parking of all vehicles on the pavement, due to the wide range of circumstances and locations where pavement parking occurs.  For example in some narrow residential roads with a lack of off-street parking provision, drivers have little option but to park on the pavement to avoid causing traffic congestion.

Parking Services can enforce against vehicles where other restrictions such as Double Yellow Lines are in place upon the highway under the Traffic Management Act 2004. Where there are no restrictions we do not have powers to enforce via the issue Penalty Charge Notices. Furthermore, the Police have powers under section 137 of the Highways Act 1980, which makes it an offence “to wilfully obstruct the free passage of the highway”. However, this is difficult to prove and resource intensive so rarely gets used.

We do have the power under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 to make Traffic Regulation Orders, allowing for specific parking regulations to be implemented in specific areas, according to the demands of local circumstances.  We can for example introduce a Traffic Regulation Order in a single road banning the parking of vehicles on any part of the pavement. However, the order would need to be signed appropriately and the restriction would apply to all vehicles which can be contentious and lead to many objections. Currently no budget has been allocated to investigating this issue specifically in Twerton but if specific areas of concern are raised they can be added to the forward plan of work for when budget is available. In the meantime, Parking Services will liaise with Curo and the Police Neighbourhood Teams to raise awareness of the issues being caused by pavement parking and request that residents show consideration for others by not parking on the pavement. 

On the 4 December 2015 the government committed to undertake a policy review and to convene a round table next year to examine the implications of any legislative change in response to a private members bill which was subsequently withdrawn. Transport minister Robert Goodwill MP stated that improving access for all pedestrians remained a priority for the government. As an Authority we will be feeding into any consultation raising the issues faced within Bath and North East Somerset for both pedestrians and motorists alike .

Illegal Parking Don't get caught

After increasing pressure from residents saying that they are fed up with some residents constantly parking on double yellow lines or across pavements both the Police and the Council have agreed to take some action.

The council who are responsible for illegal parking on the Highway will be enforcing the double yellow lines that are in place and persistent offenders will receive heavy fines, ( remember a double yellow line is enforceable if you park on a grass verge or pavement behind the yellow lines ).

The Police have reluctantly agreed to prosecute persistent offenders who are parking on the pavements in local roads, Some residents have already received warning notices about pavement parking so if they continue they are liable for hefty fines.

It has to be remembered that in Twerton we have many people with severe mobility problems or issues with vision parking on the pavement puts them at risk.

Please be considerate about how you park on our local roads to ensure that we all stay safe, particularly the vulnerable and young children.

Road Safety - Poolemead Road/Sheridan Road

Following requests from residents earlier this year, it is great to see the white keep clear lines have now been painted on Poolemead Road/Sheridan Road.

The keep clear lines have been put on both sides of Poolemead Road from the Junction with Whiteway Road and also from the Junction of Sheridan Road along Poolemead Road towards the rear of the Southside Centre.

There have been a number of issues with cars, vans and even coaches parking in this area restricting traffic flow and making visibility and pedestrian safety a large concern for a number of residents.

We are hopeful this should now make the area safer for everyone, however, please do let us know if there are any continuing issues.

Sheridan Road

Had a good meeting with Curo today to look at proposals to resolve some of the difficult parking problems on Sheridan Road.

Residents are well aware that parking on this road is difficult to say the very least and that much of the grass area has been parked on and destroyed by some people parking irresponsibly.

We are determined to resolve these issues as soon as practicably possible and believe that only a joint approach with residents support will work.

Poolemead Road

It was good to be out with residents of Poolemead Road on Thursday talking with them about local issues.

The reception from residents was very good many if them commenting that they were pleased that we  had resolved the parking issues at two places.

1) Having grass Crete installed.
2) Removing parking restrictions.

The other issues that we picked up on we're problems with disabled residents getting access to their homes by crossing grass areas and some residents parking over footpath access from the road.

Sheridan Road

It was good to be able to talk with residents of Sheridan Road in the last few days and to be able to pick up on a few of the issues that affect them.

I have this morning met with Curo regarding a problem with parking on the grass at one part of Sheridan Road and am hopeful that by working together we can resolve this problem.

I have also discussed with Curo the issues of the trees by the infant School and the broken branches will be attended to.


Parking on this road is always very difficult and some residents have complained about some residents parking on the pavement which we would discourage as it prevents people with walking difficulties or those with young Children getting past.

The matter about overhanging hedges is always a problem and I have today ask the council to deal with several hedges that have overflowed on to the pavement.

Parking Restrictions Poolemead Road

Last week we raised the issue that the order to remove double yellow lines from the road opposite to the island at Wedgewood Road had been approved.

We can now confirm that these yellow lines have now been removed allowing for off road parking as originally intended.

We have already heard from a number of residents we are pleased that we have been able to resolve this difficult problem.

High Street Twerton

We have asked that the white lines that prevent obstruction are replaced on High Street that were removed during recent resurfacing works.

The white lines on the corners of the entrance to parking between 37 & 38 High Street are of particular concern and we have asked that they are replaced as soon as possible before an accident occurs.

We have also asked the Police and the councils parking services to watch out for double parking on the High Street and take action against any offenders.

Kelston View

I had a great time meeting residents along Kelston View this afternoon this afternoon, it was very pleasant to catch up with some old friends.

This afternoon follows up a larger team canvass on Saturday morning led by Gerry Curran.

Issues that have been raised are the subsidence of Kelston View and also that of parking. I picked up quite a few individual pieces of casework that I will be replying to in the next few days.