Ealing Council want to change resident only bays to allow all motorists to park

A proposal by Ealing Council to open up parking to all motorists in parts of parking zones in Bedford Park and Acton Green has met with a mixed response.

They are planning to redesignate a number of spaces so that they can be used by anyone with a RingGo parking account rather than just holders of residents' permits. The changes will affect three Zones in Southfield ward, B, M and R (not just Zone B as originally reported).

The new bays would be by ‘flank walls only' according to notices placed by the Council rather than outside residents' homes. It is understood that parking could be purchased on the same basis as visitors' parking. Zone B runs from Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm and all day parking costs £4.50. The Council notices posted around the area say that parking will be available at the same rates as for parking for residents' visitors. It is possible to pre-book parking spaces for more than one day on RingGo and extend a parking session remotely.

Affected roads in Zone B are: Bayham, Bedford, Blandford, Cunnington, Eridge, Esmond, Evelyn, Fielding, Kingscote, Marlborough Crescent, Priory Road, Queen Anne's Gardens, Ramillies, Rusthall, South Parade, Speldhurst, The Avenue, The Orchard, Vanbrugh and Wadhurst.

Zone R roads included are: Alexandra Road, Bonheur Road, Carlton Road, Clovelly Road, Graham Road, Hamilton Road, Hatfield Road, Rugby Road, Saltcoats Road, Shirley Road, Southfield Road (east of Hawkeshead Road - these parking places will also be available to B zone permit holders) and St Georges Road.

The Zone M roads are: Beaulieu Place, Beaconsfield Road, Bridgman Road, Beaumont Road, Church Path, Cleveland Road, Cunnington Street, Ivy Crescent, Evershed Walk, Kent Road, Kingswood Road, Rothschild Road, Seymour Road, Steele Road, Temple Road, Weston Road and Wolesely Road.

Each road is affected differently with varying amounts of space being proposed for the shared parking.

One resident on an affected road said, “This proposal will completely undermine the whole purpose of the controlled parking zone. It will just reintroduce a parking free for all in the area and commuters will quickly identify it as the cheapest place in West London to leave your car. It is clearly just a ruse to squeeze as much money out of the area. No wonder they tried to sneak the changes through with minimum publicity.”

The Bedford Park Society has requested further information from the Council including the rationale behind the scheme. They plan to make a formal response on behalf of the society but are urging members to respond directly with objections relating specifically to their road.

Apart from the zones included in Southfield ward the shared use bays are also being proposed in Friars Green Zone MM in Acton and Zone L in Southall.

The deadline for submitting comments is 11 June. You should email them to highwayServices@ealing.gov.uk quoting ORDER 4114 include your postal address.

May 29, 2018