Agenda item

            It was confirmed that in accordance with Standing Order No.34 (9), the following public questions were submitted to the Board:

Mrs French

‘By allowing parking bays in School Way the council/highways department have “contradicted” themselves and are now ignoring their own “Statement of Reasons” for implementing the original Public Order (Public and Legal Notice URN000E9ORES), i.e.

STATEMENT OF REASONS

Parked and stopped vehicles block sightlines for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians with the problem being compounded by the relative narrowness of School Way. The proposed waiting and loading restrictions will serve to protect sightlines for drivers and pedestrians, prevent congestion, reduce the incidence of confrontation between drivers and guarantee access for emergency and refuse vehicles. I would like answers from the committee at the meeting and would also like to know if all the points raised with regard to my “objections” have been considered?’

            In response Officers advised the Board that all points with regards to Mrs French’s objection have been considered and the proposed amendment was a compromise to try to resolve as many issues as possible.

            Mrs French asked the following supplementary question:

‘The response has not answered my question, what has changed and why are you considering parking bays?’

            In response Officers advised that when the initial Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2011 and the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (No Loading) Order 2011 relating to School Way, Widnes, was implemented residents reported that they had experienced parking difficulties and on a trial basis three sections of School Way were identified as areas were the traffic order could be revoked. The temporary revocation on sections of School Way was done without advertisement and this was perceived as incorrect. Subsequently, following complaints the proposed three experimental gaps were advertised to become permanent and following objections received it was now proposed that only one section would be revoked as a comprise to local residents.

Mr French

‘What are the reasons for the council providing parking bays in School Way and can they please justify on what grounds they were implemented?’

            In response Officers advised the Board that the parking bay was being provided to allow the resident parking near their home as there was limited space on their property

            On behalf of Mr French, Mrs French asked the following supplementary question:

‘Councillor T McInerney had said that 1 School Way wanted space to put a caravan on the drive and cars on the road. However, the drive at 1 School Way has space for 6 cars plus a caravan. Whalley Grove also has satisfactory space for car parking. The proposals would create a chicane effect and also there are health and safety concerns with a School at the bottom of School Way.’

            In response Officers advised that it was recommended that only one section of Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2011 and the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (No Loading) Order 2011 relating to School Way, Widnes (adjacent to No.1 School Way) would be revoked and there would not be a chicane effect.

Mr Lewis

‘Have all the points raised in my letter to the Council and the police etc been considered and will I get written replies to all the comment/suggestion.’

            In response Officers advised the Board that all the points raised have been considered and a written response would be provided to all those who had submitted a public question.