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Loughborough University Parking Chaos Predicted

Posted on 01/08/08
P. Klein

Max Hunt, County Councillor for North West Loughborough has warned that parking around the university will become more chaotic in October, despite a year of talks.

Residents have been promised a serious response to the traffic chaos which is generated on Garendon Road and other roads in term time, but, he says, we are destined to see more chaotic university parking next October.

There are no prospect of fast track residents parking schemes put forward by County. The University are taking unilateral action by proposing to patrol New Ashby Road, Ashby Crescent and Cotswold Close but even if this works their action can only shift the problem to neighbouring roads.

Meanwhile Borough Planners and the University have agreed a no car policy for students living in the newly completed Halls on Ashby Road. Whilst this moves chimes with the times, speaking at the latest University Liaison meeting with other councillors, Cllr Hunt told the university, residents are left wondering how the university is going to handle complaints from residents about abuse.

Cllr Hunt predicts that more students will bring cars into the town than ever before because alternatives are not being promoted. Many students feel they need a car to use supermarkets, others go home regularly. He believes, without a more joined up policy serving students as well as staff and residents further damage will be done to the good reputation of the university. He will be meeting residents of Garendon Road and Garendon Green on 6th August 2008.

The latest report from the County Council is too little too late. There are no proposals for residents parking areas. Residents, who have received copies of the Countys report have called it feeble and mystifying that the problems are not being taken sufficiently seriously or with enough urgency.

Additional Information: County Council Findings

West Loughborough ParkingStudy Table of Initial Observations and Actions

Study Focal Point

Initial Observations

Initial Actions

Herrick Road

Frequent high density on-street parking. Existing waiting restriction has good compliance no basis for additional waiting restrictions. Possible benefits from entrance markings, therefore propose to offer discounted rate. Could be considered for Residents Preference Permit Scheme but further study needed to confirm that displacement is attributed to non-resident parking

Residents to be offered discounted entrance markings

Outwoods Drive Area

Currently processing TRO to introduce waiting restrictions in vicinity of Forest Road. On-street parking not heavy, except at Forest Road junction. Some parking on footways where parking takes place on opposing sides of road. No evidence of restrictions for resident parking. Not suitable for Residents Preference Permit Scheme but following monitoring of TRO outcome, further parking restrictions could be considered to discourage parking on both sides and therefore obstruction of footways. Some on-street parking is desirable to control vehicle speeds and discourage use of the route as a rat-run. No noted evidence of entrance obstruction but could offer discounted entrance markings.

Current Waiting Restriction TRO to be implemented

Further monitoring

Coniston Crescent

Part of area currently covered by Prohibition of Motor Vehicles. Evidence of frequent daytime parking in vicinity of University entrance and other isolated locations. Study needs to also consider Spinney Hill Drive and Holywell Drive.

No evidence of restrictions for resident parking but volumes of non-resident parking likely to cause frustration and general disturbance. Potential hazards due to parking on bends and potential obstruction due to limited road width.

Further monitoring required, to include wider linked area. Long term option to consider replacement of Prohibition Order with Residents Preference Permit Scheme

No initial actions but could offer discounted entrance markings subject to take-up at other locations

Ashleigh Drive

Part of area currently covered by Prohibition of Motor Vehicles. A number of vehicles parked on-street during the day indicating probable infringement of the prohibition order, particularly at the University end.

Long term option to consider replacement of Prohibition Order with Residents Preference Permit Scheme

No initial actions proposed but could offer discounted entrance markings subject to take-up at other locations

Cotswold Close

Part of area currently covered by Prohibition of Motor Vehicles. Entrance markings already widely deployed and appear to be complied with. Some regular infringement of prohibition away from residential properties but no major parking problems identified, although anecdotal reports suggest that major events at the University do cause problems, including parking on grass verges. However, some on-street parking does overlap with route of a well used cycle facility.

Long term option to consider replacement of Prohibition Order with Residents Preference Permit Scheme

Residents to be consulted with regard to further landscaping of central island, including physical measures to restrict parking on verge area.

Consideration to introducing carriageway line-marking to improve definition and priority of cycle route

New Ashby Road/Blackbrook Road

Part of area currently covered by Prohibition of Motor Vehicles. Observation has shown frequent and heavy non-resident on-street parking, including displacement to parallel routes (extended monitoring required). The problems are exacerbated by construction work currently ongoing on the university campus. Obstruction of accesses (due largely to limited road width) and possible displacement of resident parking. Safety concerns, especially in the vicinity of pedestrian crossing points.

Likely benefits from entrance markings, therefore propose to offer discounted rate.

Long term option to consider replacement of Prohibition Order with Residents Preference Permit Scheme

Residents to be offered discounted entrance markings

Discussions with University and police to support enforcement of existing prohibition (need to take account of displacement)

Ashby Crescent

Part of area currently covered by Prohibition of Motor Vehicles. No observed evidence of reported hazard due to parking on bend (majority of parking appears to be taking place on Garendon Green). Study to be extended to a wider area.

Likely benefits from entrance markings, therefore propose to offer discounted rate.

Long term option to consider replacement of Prohibition Order with Residents Preference Permit Scheme

Residents to be offered discounted entrance markings

Garendon Road (esp Epinal Way end)

Observation has shown frequent and heavy non-resident on-street parking, associated with adjacent hall of residence. Parking at hall of residence does not appear fully utilised (It is likely that University parking charges discourage use).

Parking close to Epinal Way junction, including on footway, is potential hazard and therefore a no-waiting order is proposed.

Likely benefits from entrance markings, therefore propose to offer discounted rate.

Location does not meet current criteria for Residents Preference Permit Scheme. However, consideration could be given in the longer term.to introducing a scheme as part of a wider measure linking the residential streets adjacent to the University and replacing the prohibition orders.

Discussions with University regarding the use of the University parking area. Additional spaces to be made available by University to parking permit scheme. Also parking permit numbers to be over-subscribed to assist useage.

Proposal to mark parking spaces on University access road.

Proposal to introduce No-Waiting at any time on section of carriageway close to Epinal Way, introduced to TRO programme.

Residents to be offered discounted entrance markings

Haydon Road

No significant parking issues have been identified as part of the study. However, anecdotal reports suggest that major events at the University may cause problems. Consideration to carrying out study during such an event.

No initial actions proposed

Storer Road

Two issues identified. Firstly, a concern that the existing Residents Preference Permit Scheme requires an evening extension to limit parking displacement by non-residents visiting town centre. The study has yet to investigate this issue.

Secondly, the new development off Havelock Street (Wheeltappers Way and Goods Yard Close) is not included within the above scheme. Observation indicates a high volume of on-street parking on these roads (including footway parking), although a Sunday survey suggests this may not be due to non-resident parking. Further study is required to establish the need and benefit of extending the scheme.

Localised parking restrictions may be more appropriate to limit parking at critical locations on the basis of access and safety.

No initial actions proposed.

More detailed study required

Kingfisher Estate

A high volume of on-street parking has been observed. Generally parking appears to be considerate but there is some concern about parking on corners and at cycle crossing points. Study has yet to conclude how much of the on-street parking is attributed to residents and how much to non-residents. There is some evidence that market days result in increased problems. Further study required but this location is seen as a high priority.

Considered likely for waiting restrictions and/or a Residents Preference Parking scheme

No initial actions but could offer discounted entrance markings subject to take-up at other locations