Residents have been complaining for some time that their close was becoming an informal car park, restricting their access. After a number of false starts Herts Highways tell me that the traffic orders for to restrict parking will be advertised soon. There will then be 21 days for objections.

Highways officials are now processing this after my protests. A letter is being sent to residents.

Following a decision by the Parking Adjudicator granting an appeal against a specific Penalty Charge Notice issued on the Council’s behalf, the Head of Legal Services, Mike Lovelady, has concluded an initial review. 

He has found that: 

·        the Adjudicator’s ruling related to a specific Penalty Charge Notice. It also referred to the Off Street Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) 2008; 

·        this TRO which authorises the Council to collect off-street parking fees has been made in accordance with the statutory procedure and is therefore validly made; 

·        Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) that have been issued under the TRO in relation to off-street parking in St Albans are unenforceable because of out of date terminology used in the TRO;  

·        the 2009 Off Street Traffic Regulation Order, while advertised publicly, was not formally completed in March 2009.  

 

Daniel Goodwin, Chief Executive of St Albans City and District Council, said: “I apologise to our residents that these technical errors have been made. While these are technical issues, it is important that we get things right. We have taken immediate steps this week to implement a new legally effective order for 2009. Other councils have also been challenged in similar circumstances on technical issues and have made amendments to their arrangements. 

“In the meantime, we will not be enforcing outstanding Penalty Charge Notices issued in relation to off-street parking contraventions.  

“In addition, we will not be issuing further PCNs for off-street parking contraventions until the new TRO comes into effect on Thursday 5th November. 

Daniel Goodwin concluded: “I have today asked the Council’s Chief Finance Officer, Colm O’Callaghan to conduct a wider review into what has happened in this case and into our parking procedures generally. His findings will be reviewed by the Car Parking Working Party at its next meeting in December – a forum open to the public – which has the power to recommend amendments to our procedures. I would expect us to consult formally on any wider changes needed by the end of the year” 

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused residents and visitors to St Albans.”

Residents will have noted that the signs are still being tested. There are issues with predicting correctly the numbers of free spaces in the London Road car park – it is pay and display and the numbers can be distorted by the passage of vehicles to and from private parking provision.

There is also some contractual work to be done in relation to the Maltings.

Meanwhile, some of the new direction signs are going up. The old ones will come down shortly and there will be a net reduction in posts: so more information and less street clutter!

Note from the District Council to local councillors

I can confirm that the signs and lines have been ordered for the new restrictions in Clarence Road.

However, the painting of the lines will be delayed until the middle of July as we will be co ordinating with Herts Highways. Herts Highways are planning to close Clarence Road for a couple of days as part of the 2009 Street Scene initiative, this will involve gully cleaning and road parching, both of which would damage the new paint.

Once the order is sealed enforcement will then commence, as soon as the final date becomes apparent, I will be updating members and residents alike.

The District Council’s Car Parking Working Party has been looking at te following. Please contact your district councillors if you have any particulara concerns.

LOCATION 1 – WATSON WALK

NEW PARKING RESTRICTIONS

No Parking on Footways or Verges – At Any Time

Watson Walk (Both sides)
For its entire length

LOCATION 5 – ST PETER’S CLOSE

RESCIND EXISTING PARKING RESTRICTIONS

8.30 am to 6.30 pm Monday To Saturday

St Peter’s Close (North East, East, North West, South West, and South Sides)
From the south east wall of 109 St Peter’s Street north-westwards,
northwards, north westwards, south westwards, south eastwards, eastwards
and south eastwards to include the turning head for 115 metres to 1.5 metres
south east of the boundary between 4 and 5 St Peter’s Close.

NEW PARKING RESTRICTIONS

NO PARKING AT ANY TIME

St Peter’s Close (North East, East, North West, South West and South Sides)
From the south east wall of 109 St Peter’s Street north-westwards,
northwards, north westwards, south westwards, south eastwards, eastwards
and south eastwards to include the turning head for 115 metres to 1.5 metres
south east of the boundary between 4 and 5 St Peter’s Close.

LOCATION 6 – CAVENDISH ROAD / CECIL ROAD

RESCIND EXISTING PARKING RESTRICTIONS

No Parking – At Any Time

Cavendish Road (South West Side)
From 13 metres north west of the boundary between 2c Cavendish Road and
168c Hatfield Road for 6 metres to 7 metres north westwards of the boundary
between 2c Cavendish Road and 168c Hatfield Road.

Cecil Road (North West Side)
From the boundary of 58 Cavendish Road for 8.5 metres south westwards to
the south east wall of 58 Cavendish Road.

NEW PARKING RESTRICTIONS

Residents Permit Holders and One Hour Voucher parking Only – 1.30 pm to
3.30 pm Monday to Sunday

Cavendish Road (South West Side)
From 13 metres north westwards of the boundary between 2c Cavendish
Road and 168c Hatfield Road for 6 metres to 7 metres north westwards of the
boundary between 2c Cavendish Road and 168c Hatfield Road.

From the boundary between 2c and 2b Cavendish Road for 9 metres to 1
metre south east of the boundary between 2 and 2a Cavendish Road.

Cecil Road (North West Side)
From the north east boundary of 58 Cavendish Road for 8.5 metres south
westwards to the south west wall of 58 Cavendish Road.

LOCATION 7 – CLARENCE ROAD

NEW PARKING RESTRICTIONS

No Parking – At Any Time

Charmouth Road (East Side) and Sandpit Lane (North Side)
From 16 metres south with the boundary between 43 Sandpit Lane and 2
Charmouth Road for 42 metres to 7 metres west of the boundary between 43
and 45 Sandpit Lane.

Charmouth Road (West Side) and Sandpit Lane (North Side)
From the eastern wall of 41 Sandpit Lane for 39 metres to the boundary
between 41 Sandpit Lane and 1 Charmouth Road.

Clarence Road (East Side) and Sandpit Lane (South Side)
From the boundary between 20a Sandpit Lane and 140 Clarence Road for 54
metres to 10 metres south of the northern boundary of 140 Clarence Road.

Clarence Road (West Side) and Sandpit Lane (South Side)
From the eastern wall of 41 Clarence Road for 27.5 metres to 7 metres north
of the boundary between 39 and 41 Clarence Road.
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No Parking – 11.00am to 1.00pm, Monday to Saturday

Clarence Road (East Side)
From 5.5 metres south of the boundary between 92 and 94a Clarence Road
for 117 metres to 3.5 metres north of the boundary between 112 and 114
Clarence Road.

Clarence Road (West Side)
From 6 metres south in line with the boundary between 21 and 23 Clarence
Road for 184 metres to 7 metres north of the boundary between 39 and 41
Clarence Road.

Clarence Road (West Side)
From 6 metres south in line with the boundary between 21 and 23 Clarence
Road for 184 metres to 7 metres north of the boundary between 39 and 41
Clarence Road.