Cranbrook Road: Red Route Parking Consultation
The Council is reviewing parking controls on Cranbrook Road to ensure that it continues to function as an accessible route for all users. We want to encourage visitors that support our local businesses by having unobstructed access into the town centre while being mindful of local loading needs.
While the existing parking controls on Cranbrook Road offer some protection against obstructive parking, we are increasingly finding this is not enough. We need to look at how we can reduce obstructive parking further while also taking the opportunity to support the operation of local businesses through dedicated loading facilities. We would like to know your view.
PROPOSED DOUBLE RED LINES
Double red lines could be introduced along some lengths of Cranbrook Road as shown on the plan available on this webpage to help maintain and improve the free flow of traffic. These lines would only be introduced where existing double yellow lines are provided. Double red lines operate at all times (the same as double yellow lines).
Vehicles would be prohibited from stopping on double red lines unless in an emergency. Exemptions would apply for licenced taxis or vehicles displaying a blue badge when they are picking up or setting down passengers. This means that loading activities would not be allowed on double red lines, they would instead need to take place within designated bays. The plan on this webpage provides an overview of the nearest existing loading bays.
To support the loading activities of local businesses, a new loading bay is also being considered on Cranbrook Road.
PROPOSED LOADING BAY
Loading restrictions are currently in operation along the lengths of Cranbrook Road under consideration. In some places loading is currently prohibited at all times, while in other places loading is currently only allowed for 3 hours during the day (between 10am to 1pm, Mon to Sat) and overnight (7pm to 7am, Mon to Sat). Loading activities may also be undertaken in some side and rear access roads such as Heron Mews.
In order to support the loading activities of local businesses under the proposals, a new dedicated Goods Vehicle loading bay could be introduced on Cranbrook Road (as shown on the plan on this webpage).
The bay would allow goods loading for up to 30 minutes. After departing the loading bay, the same goods vehicle would need to wait a minimum of one hour before returning. The loading bay would be large enough to accommodate two large goods vehicles at the same time.
The loading bay would operate from 10am to 2pm and 7pm to 7am every day, avoiding busy peak traffic periods. Compared to the existing loading restrictions on Cranbrook Road, this gives local businesses an extra hour of loading on most days. At all other times (7am to 10am) and (2pm to 7pm) vehicles would be prohibited from stopping in the loading bay to help protect busier traffic flows.
