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.
 

• Burpham Lane is the original centre of the village and some of the houses date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. They do not have garages or parking space, therefore residents park on the road and the reduction in available space could make life difficult for them. Is there any possibility that some form of priority be given to them, such as free residents’ permits and space dedicated to permit holders?

 

• The proposed parking spaces near the junction with Clay Lane could lead to problems at busy times. There is a well used rat run from London Road through Weylea Avenue, Doverfield Road, Marlyns Drive and Burpham Lane to access Clay Lane. This means that long queues of traffic can build back towards Howards Ridge. Parked vehicles on the other side of the road will block access for vehicles turning into Burpham Lane from Clay Lane.

 

• Concerns have been raised by parents of children attending the primary school that parked cars could obstruct the sight lines of people trying to cross the road. The crossing point opposite the entrance to Sutherland Memorial Park is particularly busy and although double yellow lines are proposed either side, it is only for a short distance.

 

• Churchfields residents trying to exit into Burpham Lane often find their way blocked by parked cars at the entrance and further down the cul-de-sac, making it difficult to see oncoming vehicles and, more dangerously given the proximity of the primary school, pedestrians. A short stretch of double yellow lines is proposed for the entrance to Churchfields but will do little to alleviate this problem. Perhaps consideration could be given to extending the lines in both directions to make this junction safer.

 

• St Luke’s Church has a regular Sunday service and occasional weddings and funerals. Although there are some parking spaces nearby, there is no guarantee that they will be available for use by churchgoers. The default car park for church users is Sutherland Memorial Park but elderly people find it difficult to walk the distance to the church. Can some way be found to ensure space for them?

 

• There is also concern as to whether there will be sufficient parking for visitors to Howard Buildings, which houses the offices of the charity Carers’ Support and other businesses.
  
• It is proposed to have two parking spaces outside the Village Hall, including a dedicated disabled bay, but it is very close to the bend, given the speed of some vehicles using Burpham Lane.  
  
• The proposed parking space outside Abbot House will cause problems for residents of 31 Burpham Lane. They are unable to enter or leave their property if cars are parked opposite; indeed they have had to ask drivers who have parked there to move their cars. Parking here will also be a hazard for parents and children returning from school crossing from the Sutherland Memorial Park exit.

 
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:
 

• Many people only wish to stop for a brief period – a quick trip to the post office, for example. The current proposals are for 3 hour waiting and we would ask that a number of spaces, perhaps the kerb side ones, are for short term use, say a maximum of 30 minutes with no return for two hours. This may also help deter people who are now using this as an overspill for Aldi parking which rapidly fills up as soon as the store is open
• We are aware of the problems with Barton Place and the ongoing correspondence between GBC and SCC; it is to be hoped that common sense will prevail and the Residents Only spaces restored.
• Consideration given to free permits for shop owners or managers who live on the premises.
• Putting in parking controls are useless unless they are enforced.  At the moment people are parking in restricted bays and areas with impunity.

   
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.