Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Thomas introduced the On Street Car Parking in Town Centres report which provided a solution which would balance the provision of free short stay parking spaces in Buckley to more closely reflect that available in other towns across the County.  The report also sought approval for a pilot scheme to remove the existing pedestrianisation order which was currently in place in Buckley town centre, to further improve access to the town.  The proposal would be subject to receiving the support of Buckley Town Council to the proposal.

            The availability of a small number of free, short stay, on-street parking spaces in a town centre was essential to allow shoppers to make short visits to collect shopping.  The local road layout in the area around Buckley did not permit the provision of on-street parking.  It was proposed to re-designate a section of Brunswick Road car park to offer free car parking for up to half an hour, which would provide an additional 18 spaces for short visits to the town centre. 

Since publication of the agenda, a meeting had taken place with the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation), the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside, the Enterprise and Regeneration Manager and representatives from Buckley Town Council.  At that meeting the proposals were put to the Town Council who indicated they supported the proposal, but requested the short stay be for 1 hour instead of half an hour.  Work was being undertaken to assess the costs of that suggestion and that it was within the scope of the Car Parking Strategy.

            The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) said the removal of the pedestrianisation order would be undertaken as a pilot with the success of the pilot being measured, similar to what had recently been undertaken in Holywell where business accounts were submitted before and after the pilot scheme to assess the difference in the figures.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That approval be given for the re-designation of a section of Brunswick Road car park in Buckley to provide some free, short stay car parking to compensate for the shortage of on-street, short stay spaces within the town centre; and

(b)       That support be given for the pilot de-pedestrianisation of Buckley town centre and approval for the introduction of such an arrangement for a fixed period, which is sufficient to measure the impact on footfall in the town.  The introduction of the pilot scheme would be subject to receiving support for the proposals from Buckley Town Council.