Grass verge parking ban trial scheme
Published 21 Jan 2012 17:00
7 Comments
TRANSPORT chiefs are a step closer to enforcing a pioneering scheme banning motorists from parking on grass verges and pavements in Tilehurst.
Reading Borough Council Traffic Management Advisory Panel has given the go-ahead to prepare a public consultation for a proposed trial in 11 roads to clamp down on drivers persistently damaging verges and blocking the way for pedestrians and cyclists.
The initiative, which must go before the council's cabinet and will require a Traffic Regulation Order, would cover Westwood Road, Oak Tree Road, School Road, Recreation Road, Church End Lane and Lower Elmstone Drive.
Tilehurst ward councillors have also lobbied to include Park Lane, Mayfair, The Meadway, Overdown Road and Norcot Road, and the council is looking at adding a stretch of Brooksby Road near its junction with Overdown Road.
Council transport network manager Chris Beasley told the panel on Thursday that the scheme could eventually be introduced across the whole town, and said: "If we can get this cracked in Tilehurst it's got potential for other areas around Reading."
Tilehurst councillor Jenny Rynn said: "This is great for Tilehurst, we've waited so long for this."
Jenny Cottee, of the Tilehurst GLOBE environmental group, which with Tilehurst Neighbourhood Action Group backs the idea, said: "There are so many grass verges being spoiled."
The panel is also looking at reducing speed limits near The Triangle in Tilehurst from 30mph to 20mph but it refused requests to move the Kentwood Hill speed camera away from traffic lights at the School Road-Norcot Road junction because it would cost £7,500.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 19 Jan 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Weird Science
Unregistered User
Jan 21, 17:23
Report commentThey could trial the scheme in Woodley, specifically Carlton Close. Residents seem to think the green is their own extended driveway...
Recommend?
Yes 13
No 2
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******
Jan 22, 15:58
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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deputyPete
1 post
Jan 25, 10:16
Report commentParking on verges not only damages the verges but where vehicles are parked on verges close to road junctions this can also cause a severe road safety hazard as the view can be partly or totally obscurred by the parked vehicles. This is particularly bad for drivers wanting to turn out of a side road and when the vehicles parked on the verges of the main road are vans. This is the case at the junction of Elsley Road and Overdown Road where vehicles parked on the verges of Overdown Road (either side of the junction) obscure the view for drivers exiting from Elsley Road. I have seen several 'near misses' when cars turning right out of Elsley Road have narrowly missed being hit by a car travelling along Overdown Road which had previously been hidden from view.
I have been in contact with Reading Borough Council about this problem for over a year and even had site meetings with Alok Sharma and representatives from RBC, who acknowledge the problem. I am therefore saddened that this location has NOT been included in the initial scheme and hope that some action will be taken to rectify this as soon as possible and before there is serious accident near this junction.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 1
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cmcardle99
Unregistered User
Jan 26, 09:55
Report commentWhilst I'm sure there are many problems in specific areas, has anyone considered the economic cost of these measures? Hundreds of people may have to sell their cars and quit their jobs due to the reduction of parking and limited convenient public transport. All concentrated on areas where houses don't have driveways, often slightly poorer than the leafy suburbs now smugly appreciating their off road parking all the more.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 3
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Lord Jason
Unregistered User
Jan 26, 22:09
Report commentcmcardle99, I'll see you selling me tarmac tomorrow brother. Smirk.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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Tilehurst chick
Unregistered User
Jan 30, 20:45
Report commentCMCardle, to correct you on one point these mentioned areas are Reading's leafy suburbia. They have drives for 2 or more cars and I don't think the likes of Westwood and Oaktree Road can be called slightly poorer!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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pathsforpedestrians
Unregistered User
Feb 3, 15:34
Report commentI used to complain about cars parked on pavements and footpaths frequently and I'm still very much against drivers making things difficult for mothers with pushchairs, disabled buggy drivers and infirm and disabled pedestrians. BUT !! I complain far less often these days. Why? Because as soon as a pavement becomes clear then many cyclists take to bombing along them barging and bruising any pedestrian in their way. Cars parked on pavements are a nuisance, cyclists on pavements are dangerous. Most cyclists are considerate and when forced to use pavements or footpaths treat pedestrians with respect but unfortunately far too many cyclists don't. Yes, clear cars off the verges but then the police need to clamp down on any cyclists who endanger pedestrians by using these cleared pavements.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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bogged down
Unregistered User
Feb 8, 23:26
Report commentIf this goes ahead it will mean that we have to convert the front lawn into another parking space which will include knocking down our front wall and removing a well established tree. or the other alternative is to park in the road tus obstructing traffic flow, blocking the view for motorists coming around the bend and also blocking more of the view of drivers exiting their drive ways. considering there is ample foot path space inbetween the grass verge and the road. if this is also an enviromental idea I don't see the benifits of replacing nicley kept gardens with ashphet or slabs at no cost to the council in place of a bit of covered grass by the side of the road which councils have the added cost of maintanence.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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