To answer Caroline's question and probably a few others. No. There is no special agenda for Grosvenor road that is any different to that of the other streets.It happens all the time, often with impatient drivers reversing at speed back out. There a few walls in Brook Road that bear testimony to that!The problems with parking differ slightly from one end of the proposed Zone eg. the Hamilton Road end, to the other. Fundamentally, the problems are the same.In Grosvenor road we get later all day commuters but relatively few. We get local workers. We get social workers and Brentford FC community people.Most park for a few hours during the day.It varies a bit. Some days it's choccer and some days, rarely, almost deserted.At night it is a different story. I work nights a lot so come home late. When I work nights I use the car because of the lack of public transport.Over the last 10 years I have spent up to 40 mins looking to park and have spent around 45 days a year staying at my parents instead.If you are not home by 7pm here then it's difficult.It's pretty much the same everywhere round here and the proposed CPZ will not make that any different.No proper survey has been carried out on whom parks where. A lot is supposition and hearsay. There is though, an element of truth in a few examples.The only survey I have heard of was carried out by L.B. Hounslow in support of the building on the garage sites in Brook road and Lateward road.Quite unbelievably, a council officer claimed that there was an abundance of parking in the area at night and in particular Lateward road.I later found that the survey was conducted at 5pm in the winter. Dark, so it must be night time!Some of the problems mentioned are parking by residents from outside the neighbourhood.Mafeking Ave is currently totally against any CPZ and it's not difficult to see why.They are like most dwellings around here, with limited width. But unlike most other streets, Mafeking has a lot of maisionettes so a far higher proportion of cars per house - not per household. Naturally, they know that even with a permit, residents still won't be able to guarantee parking in their street. Thus feeling that they would be paying for something they won't get.Quite where they will park in future in daytime is anyone's guess but they will still be able to park anywhere in the zone after 5.30But they are part of the neigbourhood so is it fair to grumble about them parking in adjoining streets?In the last few weeks, things have changed. In Albany Road, Brook Road and Grosvenor, there are far more vehicular movements and parking than normal.Last week I discovered why. I've posted pictures below which I hope work.The Albany Parade car park now has a tough and expensive parking regime. Consequently, it is now deserted all day, every day. Another act of wisdom.It has a free half hour but no clear signage. It must be with a machine issued ticket. I spoke with all the businesses, some have lost nearly 70% of trade in just 3 weeks. They have lobbied MPs and Councillors and even the Mayor for just 2 simple changes. One hour free and clear signage, stating such.Much of the longer term parking, which is local workers, and residents visitors are now parking in the next streets for free and the sharp increase in movements are those who do still use the shops and cafes. Not the best utilisation for a car park in a crowded vicinity. Any business though, that involves a short wait, like getting keys cut in the hardware shop etc. have been walloped, and nearby residents now have a lot of extra traffic movements in residential streets.All wholly unnecessary and probably now losing revenue.Was this orchestrated to push residents into a CPZ? Is it beneficial to residents and small local businesses? So whilst residents in Grosvenor road have mobilised, it is not against the CPZ per say. We have recognised that the problem is not going to get better for all the streets, not just this one.But it's pretty clear that this has just not been fully thought out and not enough has been done to address the real problems. A big stick is not needed. Just a more inclusive pragmatic solution.Aspects of the design of the zone are a huge improvement on the last version of 10 years ago. Getting the timing right and making the CPZ as least invasive to residents whilst bringing the benefit is almost within grasp. But not with the hours councillors voted through without question.The reaction is against a set of hours that will cause a lot of damage socially, especially to those who do not have a car, are elderly and housebound and rely on visits. We believe very strongly that a two hour scheme, the majority choice by the whole of the consulted area is far better than the 6 day full hours pushed through without debate and questions unanswered. Careful choice of those 2 hours can have a far better impact and benefit for all residents within the zone in a much fairer way whether one has a vehicle or not.The council did not really attempt to provide any rationale for their selection of hours and not surprisingly, whilst most opted for a two hour scheme, there was no guidance on which hour and why. What we do know is that the hour scheme in Hamilton road has had the desired effect and indicates that that 1 hour alone can be vey effective.I looked at several CPZ schemes in several boroughs with similar terraced streets. Some were so draconian that the streets are clear of vehicles but socially it has suffered.But some had good two hours schemes.After some discussion we have proposed that the second hour is from 18.30 to 19.30.This is to give residents a fair chance to park in their own streets and will also deter away fans for weekday matches.Personally, One does not move here without accepting that there is a football club as a neighbour, but clearly it is a big bugbear for many.We also think that saturdays only need a 1 hour ban on matchdays. Who else would park here on a non matchday saturday? friends, relations and residents visitors. Otherwise it comes out of your pockets, are you going to charge your visitors to park?So we think the decision is wrong. Only 37% of all households responded, yet all will be financially penalised and affected one way or another.That is not really a mandate to do anything, but for those who did, it should be the fine tuning and honor the majority who wanted a 2 hour scheme.The best option did not get presented and considered which is why we have started a petition and urge all local residents to have a think and voice their concerns.The petition is online at the following link:http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/grosvenorcpzpetitionWe also have an email and welcome suggestions, help and will try to answer and concerns or questions. We really are trying to this by residents for all residents. email is BrentfordparkingTW8@gmx.co.ukThank you[IMG]http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/ropeyalternator/albanycarpark2_zps57d4a893.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/ropeyalternator/AlbanyCarparkonsaturdaynoon_zpseac792d4.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w258/ropeyalternator/albanycarparkfarce_zps7ad2ac1f.jpg[/IMG]
Mark Kehoe ● 4326d