Community Parking Zone consultation process

How we consult on Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) requests.

Petitions

The introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), or changes to an existing CPZ, are usually considered in response to demand from local residents and businesses. Any proposal would require  demonstration that it has widespread support among local residents, for example, in the form of a petition which clearly indicates details for the request. The petition would need to be signed by a minimum of 51% of the households directly affected (usually at least two interconnected roads). Should such a petition be received, this will be considered by the Council taking into account all relevant factors including the resources required to progress the proposal. If approval to proceed is obtained, part of the process would include consultation with local residents and businesses. The timing of this will depend on other commitments in the work programme.

Further information on how to carry out your own consultation/compiling a petition can be found on our Petitions page and our Make a transport suggestion or request page.

Consultation documents

We usually produce a letter, and area plan, and deliver it to every property in the consultation area. The letter invites you to complete the survey online. Paper questionnaires can be posted out on request. In our consultation documents, we provide all the relevant information relating to parking controls, including costs and we ask a series of questions, the responses to which will help us decide whether a scheme should be introduced and how it will operate.

The wording and layout of the consultation documents is developed in discussion with the Council’s Consultations Team and ward councillors. Input may be sought from local residential amenity groups prior to finalisation of the documents.

Consultation results

The results of each consultation will be analysed both for the overall area and on a street-by-street basis, meaning that a CPZ could be introduced over the whole area if widely supported, or in some streets and not others, if appropriate. When examining the results we will take into account the response rate, the level of support and whether the streets involved would form a coherent zone area. We try to ensure that zone boundaries are clear so that any confusion can be avoided and not too large which could encourage intra-zone commuting.

To ensure that the results accurately reflect the wishes of those who have no alternative but to park on the road and who are directly affected by parking controls, we will normally consider progressing proposals for a CPZ if there is over 50% support for one 'among those households who respond to the consultation'. Only one response from each household will be accepted.

We also look for  a response rate of approximately 30%. Both the level of support and response rate to apply 'over a network of roads', generally a minimum of two interconnected roads. This could be a total of all the results from these roads added together meaning that it is possible for some roads not to show over 50% support and 30% response rate individually.

Legislation requires that we have regard to various factors in deciding on whether an area should have a CPZ introduced. These include the views of owners and occupiers of properties but also the need for maintaining the free movement of traffic including public service vehicles.  Reasonable access to premises, the effects on any roads were they to be left out and a CPZ implemented in the neighbouring roads along with the amenities of any locality affected are also considered. There may also be other matters which appear to us as being relevant which we are required to consider.

Response rates

We aim to obtain a good response to our consultations and we try to make it easy and convenient for everyone to take part.  Consultees may either complete the survey online or complete and return a questionnaire by post.  We compile the results that show the individual responses from each household and business to determine the views expressed by all properties within a consultation area.  This enables us to accurately define the areas where there is support for the introduction of controls and those areas where there is not.   Responses remain confidential and are not available for individual scrutiny.

We aim for a response rate of ideally 30% or higher.  The response rate of 30% is an aim but not a set figure as each area is different and we would need to consider various factors.

Displacement

The introduction of parking controls in one street often results in displacement parking problems in adjacent streets, as commuters and other motorists may move their cars to the nearest road where parking is unrestricted. Consequently, we consult over a wider area than that in which there are known to be current parking difficulties. Single roads are unlikely to be suitable for a new CPZ, but they can be considered if they are contiguous to an existing CPZ.

Businesses

As with all our consultations we would wish to receive a good response, including those from businesses. Our engagement with local representatives helps to make businesses aware of the process.  The analysis of the survey response and comments also helps us to ensure that the design of a scheme most accurately reflects the desires of the community, such as determining the appropriate operational days / hours, provision of parking bays and the roads that are to be included.

Reporting on the consultation results

The results of parking consultations are considered by the Council for approval.

Residents and businesses are informed by letter of the results of the consultation exercise along with the decision made. Updates on each consultation and details of the consultation results and decision can always be found on our parking reviews page.

As described above, we aim to receive a good response from each community on these consultations. If considered necessary, we may carry out a further consultation in the area or part of the area to ensure that we have a sufficient level of feedback from a community before we decide on whether to progress a scheme.

Design

A detailed design of a CPZ is developed which shows where parking will be permitted and this includes restrictions where it is not suitable to park. This is shared with the local community, feedback sought considered and the design modified if necessary. This is usually undertaken once approval has been given to proceed with the scheme but can sometimes be carried out at the start of the process.

As an alternative to a CPZ design, the Council will consider if a scheme can be implemented in the form of a Permit Parking Area (PPA). These schemes have the benefit of deploying fewer signs and line markings (less street clutter).  PPAs include areas of the road in front of some/all driveways which, if unmarked, provides an option to those residents and/or their visitors to park (a valid parking permit is required to be on display). This approach is particularly appropriate for cul-de-sacs and enclosed areas which can be incorporated into a wider CPZ area.

Order making and implementation

CPZs and PPAs are introduced under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended and legally require Traffic Management Orders (TMOs), which designate the parking places and yellow line waiting restrictions. We are required to undertake a consultation with statutory consultees and advertise the proposals in the Richmond and Twickenham Times. In addition, we also display the proposals on notices, on-street and on the Council website.

The advertisement provides a statutory 21 day consultation period in which representations can be made.  Representations to the TMOs are considered by the Council prior to a decision being made on implementation.  The Council may decide to implement a scheme by way of an Experimental Traffic Order which provides a six month consultation period in which representations to the scheme can be made.

The complete process, from consultation to zone implementation, generally takes between six and eighteen months.  This allows for all processes from feasibility to implementation to be followed accordingly.

Reviews

We aim to review all new CPZs after approximately six months of implementation to assess the effectiveness of the scheme and to establish if changes are deemed necessary.  Uncontrolled areas adjacent to a new CPZ may also be consulted at this time.

Experimental CPZs/parking schemes

Certain schemes may be implemented by way of Experimental Traffic Orders. This approach provides an initial period of six months of operational experience of the new scheme, as well as for representations to be made.

CPZ Policy report

The current Controlled Parking Zone Policy is set out in more detail in the Transport and Air Quality Report, 10 March 2020.