That the decision to implement pay and display (on-street) parking at Marine Drive, Paignton, be deferred to allow the Highways and Parking Teams to monitor the turnover of bays and to observe vehicle parking in the adjacent streets to better understand the likely impact of displacement if motorists were to decide not to pay and seek alternative on-street parking nearby.  Observations should cover the upcoming Easter and Whitsun holiday periods as well as usage outside of school holidays.  The findings of such monitoring/observations to be presented to a future Parking Panel, after 1 June 2019, so that a final decision can be reached.

This decision is made due to an issue raised in the consultation process whereby it was clear that further monitoring/observations should be completed with regard to the potential issue of displaced vehicles and the capacity in the surrounding streets if motorists chose not to pay for parking. 

The main objections to the proposal are summarised below:-

• Parking meters will discourage people/tourism from coming to Preston
• Parking meters will massively increase congestion on the side roads and residential areas
• Parking meters will affect local businesses
• There is already a car park at Colin Road
• Parking meters are very short sighted they will do more harm than good to Preston
• Beach Hut users have already been hard hit with increasing prices
• It will increase isolation.  Something the Council are trying to avoid with ‘Ageing well’.
• Detrimental to the interests of local traders and shoppers
• During the winter months it is primarily used by dog walkers, families with young children using the play park and casual walkers
• Other areas should also be considered as per the Parking Review and are better placed for meters

The alternative options considered were:-

Option 1 – to leave the current situation which results in vehicles parking all day which does not provide a turnover of bays, especially in the busy summer season.

Option 2 – to introduce limited waiting parking.  From an enforcement perspective this does not allow efficient turnover of bays due to the limited resources available for enforcement.

Option 3 – to introduce pay and display parking.

Option 4 – to introduce seasonal pay and display parking – 1st April – 30th September.

This decision will come into force immediately.

The proposal is to introduce pay and display parking at Marine Drive, Paignton.  By changing the restriction this will allow for a fairer turnover of bays during the day and ensure all users of the amenities have access to the area.  This will support the Blue Badge holders as there will be 2 dedicated 30 minute disabled bays to use local facilities.  Blue badge holders are able to park without payment in all on-street pay and display bays.

The following officers of the Council, individuals and organisations were consulted:-

The relevant Traffic Regulation Order was advertised in the Herald Express and Ward Councillors and key stakeholders were notified on how to make objections/comments through the formal legal process to the Head of Parking Services.  The advert went in to the local press and signage was placed in the location to advise of the proposed changes.

The Parking Panel reviewed the consultation feedback in some detail and followed the decision making process set out in the Council’s Parking Strategy, however, the Panel recommended to the Assistant Director of Business Services that the issue of displaced vehicles required more evidence before further consideration should be made in respect of the proposed introduction on pay and display parking at Marine Drive, Paignton.

The following background papers were used in considering the issue

Torbay Council’s Parking Strategy ~ 2016 - 2021

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