Mr Andrew Harkin
Guildford Borough Council Millmead House Millmead Guildford Surrey GU2 4BB Dear Mr Harkin, BCA Response to the Parking Review Consultation I write on behalf of the Burpham Community Association. A good deal of thought has gone into the proposals for parking in Burpham and we appreciate the efforts made to provide residents with safe parking options. However, it is not easy to please everyone and some concerns have been raised that we would like to submit. Burpham Lane This is probably the most contentious area. There are four interconnected problems – parking, volume of traffic, vehicle speed and the narrowness of the road. The parking restrictions near Aldi are essential, highlighted by the chaos on the day the store opened, as are measures to reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by parking too close to the sharp bend, but some of the proposed initiatives may have unforeseen outcomes.
A great deal of concern has been expressed about the possibility that the double yellow lines along the greater part of Burpham Lane , although essential to prevent careless or dangerous parking, may have the unfortunate effect of encouraging drivers to speed. Despite the 30mph restriction, which perhaps should be reduced to 20mph, many drivers regularly exceed that and seem to consider it a matter of pride to get through the existing pinch points before any oncoming vehicle. We feel strongly that the issue of parking in Burpham Lane cannot be considered in isolation – traffic numbers and speed, as well as the nature of the road itself must be taken into consideration. The HGV limit also needs adjusting to prevent HGVs travelling the length of the road, not just accessing Aldi. Marlyns Drive The proposal to put double yellow lines at the junction with Burpham Lane is welcome but there are concerns that they do not go far enough. It has to be remembered that Marlyns Drive and Doverfield Road are part of the much used rat run linking the A3100 London Road and Clay Lane and this, combined with parked cars, makes life very difficult for residents. Kingpost Parade The proposal to restrict waiting times is welcome and long overdue. We understand that discussions are taking place between GBC and the owner of the private car park on the northern side of the Parade and we hope that the whole area will be included. The following issues are of concern:
New Inn Lane and Burnet Avenue We note the proposal to put double yellow lines down part of New Inn Lane and at the junction of Burnet Avenue. There is a footpath from the pedestrian crossing in New Inn Lane that cuts across the grass to Burnet Avenue, then continues on the other side to the Church of the Holy Spirit. This is much used by children, their parents and the elderly and crossing the road between parked cars is very dangerous. We would ask that consideration be given to extending the double yellow lines to the line of the first houses in Burnet Avenue. These areas in Burpham did not come under the remit of the Parking Survey but we do have issues we would like to raise. London Road It carries all the traffic from the A3 slip as well as local traffic and is regularly congested at peak times, occasionally gridlocked. Any vehicle parked along the road would only add to the chaos. There are housing developments under construction between Winterhill Way and the garage with access roads onto London Road. Parking space is limited and it is possible there may be an overspill onto the main road. We would ask that double yellow lines be considered on both sides of the London Road. Woodruff Avenue, Coltsfoot Drive, Charlock Way There is a longstanding problem associated with George Abbot School, not just at the beginning and end of the school day but daytime parking along both sides of Woodruff Avenue and along at least part of the other two roads. Many of these cars belong to older pupils. The onus is on the school to provide additional parking space within its boundaries but we ask that consideration be given to banning parking during school hours along one side of Woodruff Avenue. There is one other issue that needs to be dealt with – Aldi. Their store opened on the 5th November and the resultant chaos was reported in the press. We have anecdotal evidence of existing parking regulations being ignored, such as parking on the double yellow lines near the store. We would ask that enforcement be considered a priority, and further, that a review is carried out in six months time to assess the impact that Aldi has had on local parking. This report has been compiled from residents’ comments made in response to a letter from the BCA requesting their views. Yours sincerely Liz Critchfield Secretary, Burpham Community Association.
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