Thanks to all who have sent us comments. The response has been great!
Below are the minutes of the last meeting. The next Resident's Association meeting will be held on Tuesday 10th November at 7pm in St Mary Magelenes Church Hall, Wilson Street. Everyone is welcome.
We understand that at a recent meeting, the council made plans for the next consultation on the parking management scheme. We hope to have further details soon.
BARNES,PALLION & MILLFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Meeting held Tuesday 13th October 2009
St Mary Magdelene Church Hall at 7.0pm
Chairman’s Update/Minutes
Amanda opened the meeting by going over the minutes of the previous meeting. It was noted that since a recent correspondence with Mr Phil Barrett, Development and Regeneration Services, he had since taken early retirement. As yet his replacement has not been named. It seems some re-organisation of management is currently taking place at the Civic Centre.
A letter had been sent to P Watson (Leader of the Council) stating the Association’s agreed recommendations to help the proposed further consultation be put more favourably to the residents. A very short letter had been received in reply stating Mr Watson was considering our letter. Following discussion the meeting agreed a letter be sent to Mr Watson requesting a date for the planned further consultation exercise.
A letter had been sent to Ms Carol Harries, Hospital Trust Secretary requesting a further extension in the times for the Park and Ride schemes in order to accommodate the flexible working hours for hospital staff and also to include all visiting times. As yet no reply had been received. An increase of approximately ½ hr had been introduced by the hospital for a trial period of four weeks. The meeting agreed this would not be sufficient. The meeting discussed other options for park and ride including Pallion Retail Park. All agreed the Hospital were still not advertising the scheme enough. The Scheme should be added to all appointment letters and advertised in the local papers. The meeting agreed a letter be sent to Ms Harries requesting more publicity for the Park and Ride scheme.
A letter had also been sent to Mr Watson stating the residents concerns over the new traffic flow system on the junction of Ormonde St/Kayll Rd and Chester Rd. As yet no reply had been received.
The meeting discussed the many problems caused by this new system. Traffic was now backed up all along Chester Road in both directions. The residents of Ewesley Road, Brinkburn St, Greta Tce, Grindon Tce, Abingdon St and Barnard St had noted increased
traffic flow in their already over-parked streets by confused drivers trying to get along to Barnes Park Road. Residents of St Gabriels Estate had noted increased traffic flow on the estate by cars anxious to avoid the lights from both Kayll Road and Chester Road. Pedestrians also had problems in that in order to get along Ormonde Street from Pallion and St Gabriels they now had to negotiate three sets of pedestrian lights.
Another point of concern was the fact that so many cars with disabled badges were parking in dangerous situations. They were regularly seen parked on Kayll Road on double yellow lines between the Kayll Rd/Hylton Road lights and the Hospital entrance forcing the two lane traffic coming along from Pallion Road and Hylton Road to quickly merge into one lane.
Disabled drivers did have the right to park for up to three hours on double yellow lines but they should still be expected to park sensibly without causing danger to others.
Flyers
Susan stated that distribution of flyers asking residents for their comments on the parking situation and new traffic flow system along with any other issues had started. Already some comments had been returned. Maureen had asked the local businesses on Hylton Road toad their comments. All replies received so far had a common theme. Residents were very unhappy and stressed by the fact the new traffic flow system had compounded the problems already caused by hospital parking. The consensus of opinion was that the new traffic flow system was not only unnecessary but potentially very dangerous. It was intended to increase the flyer distribution to include many of the streets in Millfield and Pallion also affected by hospital parking. A suggestion was made that copies of these comments be sent to the Chief Engineer in charge of road planning at the Civic Centre. A suggestion was also made that similar flyers be issued to hospital staff and visitors for their comments also.
Treasurer’s Report
Elizabeth reported she had been advised that we join COMPACT an association formed to provide equal terms for code of practice by the Council. A year forward projection had been requested by the CVS who advised we could apply for a lottery grant in order to help finance our expenses as our association was formed to try to help benefit the community in all aspects including environment.
City Taxis were still causing problems by double parking, sometimes as many a four cars parking beside the garages in St Gabriels Avenue while they are waiting for calls from the hospital with whom they have a contract. Although they were not strictly illegally parked they were exacerbating an already very serious situation by causing major pedestrian obstruction forcing people to walk into the busy road in order to get passed. The meeting agreed a letter be sent to the owner of City Taxis asking him to request his drivers be more considerate. Also a letter to Trust Headquarters as it was their contract with City Taxis which was causing this problem.
Any Other Business
Paul suggested a fund raising event/social evening be organised in order to bring the people in the community together. Mark suggested a competition such as “Greenest Street” would encourage the residents to think about their environment. Linda suggested organising a car-lift scheme for such events to help disabled and elderly people attend.
P Dixon invited representatives from our Association to attend the next meeting of Millfield Residents Association in order to see if we could be of help to each other.
It was pointed out to the meeting that the Council already had some residents parking in streets in Hendon, The Fishermans Cottages at Seaburn and some streets in the old Roker Park area. Following discussion it was agreed that following our example other areas with similar problems could set up their own associations.
The meeting closed at 8.10pm.
Next meeting to be Tuesday 10th November at St Mary Magdelene Church Hall at 7.0pm
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Residents Comments
Thanks to everyone who has returned the flyers or emailed us with comments.
All comments on how the traffic changes on Chester road are affecting residents are welcomed. For example, has parking such as that shown here been reduced?
- Have the 'no right turns' reduced traffic in your street or has traffic increased?
- Have you been involved in or witnessed any accidents or near misses as a result?
- Is you journey along Chester Road faster or slower as a result of the changes?
We not only welcome comments on traffic and parking issues such as these, if there is anything else in Barnes, Pallion and Millfield that you feel the Residents' Association may be interested in or may be able to help with please leave a comment on one of these posts by clicking on 'comments' below or email us at bpmra.sunderland@gmail.com. Alternatively, come along to one of our meetings held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm. The next meeting is 7pm on Tuesday 10th November in St Mary Magdalene's Church Hall, Wilson Street. Everyone is welcome but if you can't attend, minutes will be posted here on the blog.
All comments can be left anonymously and where your comments are passed to the council your name will not be used. However, please let us know which street you live in or are referring to.
Monday, 12 October 2009
Next Meeting: Tuesday 13th October
Next meeting is at St Mary Magdelenes Church Hall, Wilson Street on Tuesday 13th October at 7pm.
Minutes of the last meeting are posted below.
BARNES,PALLION & MILLFIELD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Meeting held 15th September 2009
St Mary Magdelene’s Church Hall at 7.0pm
Chairman’s Update
Amanda opened the meeting by explaining that replies to the letters sent to Councillors and MPs’ (as recorded in the previous months minutes) had been received. Copies of which were distributed to the meeting. Mr KW Bremner, Chief Executive, City Hospitals, Sunderland had replied to Mr Bill Etherington Mp stating that the hospital felt it had taken very reasonable steps to ease the impact of car parking on the residents. The cost of a multi story car park would be very prohibitive and come at the cost of providing other services. He states that a further park and ride from the old forge site would also be provided during the construction of the new ward block.
Both Bill Etherington and Chris Mullin had received a reply from Mr Phil Barrett, Development and Regeneration Services stating that discussions with the Dept of Transport allowed for no marked parking bays with Parking Zone signs in areas for permit holders only. Permits would also be available for visitors of both residents and business. Cabinet approval was given on July 29th for the holding of a further consultation with residents and businesses in the hospital area.
L Ranton had also written to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown but as expected his representatives answer was that he was sure the council would find a solution for us in due course. L Ranton stated that she could keep this representative informed of the council’s progress or not and ask for his further help in intervening with the council if necessary. A copy of the letter could be passed to Paul Watson, Leader of the Council.
The council report had advised visitors permits be for two hours only. This was not acceptable. Cllr Watson during a telephone discussion with Amanda had surmised that a charge of maybe £10 be made for second permits. There was no guarantee this would not increase. P Dixon stated that the hospital would still wish to sell permits to their own staff. S Adamson stated the hospital already issued more car parking permits to their own staff
than parking places available in the grounds of the hospital. There was no guarantee they would not continue to do this with street parking permits also. M Stanger reported that local businesses were not happy as they needed parking places for their staff also. Following discussion the meeting agreed that a letter be sent to Cllr Watson stating that any further public consultation would be doomed if the revised plans they had come up with so far were put to the residents and businesses.
It was pointed out that the Hospital Park and Rides were now starting earlier at 7.40am and finishing later at 5.45pm for a trial period of four weeks in order to see if the staff would find this beneficial. The Park and Rides did not run on Sundays or Bank Holdiays and public transport was also reduced on these days. Millfield metro station was no longer included in the scheme. It was agreed that it would take a lot of persuading for people to give up their cars in favour of park and ride or public transport schemes.
Cllr Cecilia Gofton for Pallion Ward had put letters in all the doors stating that she would call personally at all doors with notices in their windows to answer people’s concerns. Many local residents were still waiting for her to call. A Robinson had spoken to Cllr Gofton who stated she would only talk to people on a one-to-one basis and was not willing to attend our meetings. It was pointed out that neither Cllrs Watson, Gofton or Wilson were available on many occasions at their advertised weekly surgery in Pallion Action Group.
A Robinson showed the meeting flyers for the residents to place under windscreen wipers on cars asking them politely to park with consideration for the feelings of the local residents. Anyone wanting these flyers to contact the secretary.
The meeting discussed the problems caused by the new traffic flow system on Ormonde Street and Chester Road junction. The increase of traffic in the side streets was considerable and the sign posting also caused confusion. The meeting agreed a letter be sent to Cllr Watson stating our concerns.
Any Other Business
P Dixon advised the meeting to write to the Council to ask for a list of numbers envisaged in
Residents parking only. Need a guarantee that hospital permits would be kept to a minimum with reductions each year. Yellow lines should be placed in all back lanes. Local businesses should not have to suffer as they are allowed to load and offload. Businesses should be allowed parking for their customers and should be included in the planned consultation. The revenue required by the council to implement these schemes should be the least consideration as the safety of the residents and pedestrians in these areas was the higher priority. The planned parking meters proposed for Kayll Road should help to offset costs.
It was proposed that flyers be placed through doors of streets affected by the no right turn at Chester Road/Ormonde Street junction asking for their comments. S Adamson agreed to be contact.
At present to leave St Gabriels Estate to gain access to Ormonde Street you either had to drive into Henderson Road and negotiate the parked cars there in order to then turn right onto Kayll Road and then cross Chester Road and go straight on to Ormonde Steet or turn left onto Chester Road, drive down to and turn right into Grindon Terrace then right into General Graham Street then left into Chatsworth Street, (all of whom have their own parking problems because of hospital staff and visitors) right into Cleveland Road and then finally left into Ormonde Street to continue on to the Barnes roundabout. The other alternative is to across to Ewesley Road and then cross both Cleveland Road and Mount Road which already have a lot of school traffic from Barnes School.
Bollards should be requested for the remaining corners on St Gabriels Estate as the cars parked across these were a nightmare for residents. The bollards on Henderson Road which were not wanted were causing their own problems by restricting access from Erith Terrace into Henderson Road.
City Cabs were still causing problems by double and even quadruple parking outside the garages in St Gabriel’s Avenue. Even though they were not obstructing traffic as such they were making it necessary for pedestrians to have to walk into the rood to get past. Maybe the hospital could be asked to help as it was their contract with City Cabs which encouraged the taxis to park near the hospital.
P Dixon handed out leaflets advising residents they could attend Local Area Committee meetings and ask questions directly themselves.
The meeting also agreed that flyers be posted through all the doors advising residents of our progress so far and thanking them for their continued support.
The meeting closed at 8.10pm.
Minutes of the last meeting are posted below.
BARNES,PALLION & MILLFIELD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Meeting held 15th September 2009
St Mary Magdelene’s Church Hall at 7.0pm
Chairman’s Update
Amanda opened the meeting by explaining that replies to the letters sent to Councillors and MPs’ (as recorded in the previous months minutes) had been received. Copies of which were distributed to the meeting. Mr KW Bremner, Chief Executive, City Hospitals, Sunderland had replied to Mr Bill Etherington Mp stating that the hospital felt it had taken very reasonable steps to ease the impact of car parking on the residents. The cost of a multi story car park would be very prohibitive and come at the cost of providing other services. He states that a further park and ride from the old forge site would also be provided during the construction of the new ward block.
Both Bill Etherington and Chris Mullin had received a reply from Mr Phil Barrett, Development and Regeneration Services stating that discussions with the Dept of Transport allowed for no marked parking bays with Parking Zone signs in areas for permit holders only. Permits would also be available for visitors of both residents and business. Cabinet approval was given on July 29th for the holding of a further consultation with residents and businesses in the hospital area.
L Ranton had also written to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown but as expected his representatives answer was that he was sure the council would find a solution for us in due course. L Ranton stated that she could keep this representative informed of the council’s progress or not and ask for his further help in intervening with the council if necessary. A copy of the letter could be passed to Paul Watson, Leader of the Council.
The council report had advised visitors permits be for two hours only. This was not acceptable. Cllr Watson during a telephone discussion with Amanda had surmised that a charge of maybe £10 be made for second permits. There was no guarantee this would not increase. P Dixon stated that the hospital would still wish to sell permits to their own staff. S Adamson stated the hospital already issued more car parking permits to their own staff
than parking places available in the grounds of the hospital. There was no guarantee they would not continue to do this with street parking permits also. M Stanger reported that local businesses were not happy as they needed parking places for their staff also. Following discussion the meeting agreed that a letter be sent to Cllr Watson stating that any further public consultation would be doomed if the revised plans they had come up with so far were put to the residents and businesses.
It was pointed out that the Hospital Park and Rides were now starting earlier at 7.40am and finishing later at 5.45pm for a trial period of four weeks in order to see if the staff would find this beneficial. The Park and Rides did not run on Sundays or Bank Holdiays and public transport was also reduced on these days. Millfield metro station was no longer included in the scheme. It was agreed that it would take a lot of persuading for people to give up their cars in favour of park and ride or public transport schemes.
Cllr Cecilia Gofton for Pallion Ward had put letters in all the doors stating that she would call personally at all doors with notices in their windows to answer people’s concerns. Many local residents were still waiting for her to call. A Robinson had spoken to Cllr Gofton who stated she would only talk to people on a one-to-one basis and was not willing to attend our meetings. It was pointed out that neither Cllrs Watson, Gofton or Wilson were available on many occasions at their advertised weekly surgery in Pallion Action Group.
A Robinson showed the meeting flyers for the residents to place under windscreen wipers on cars asking them politely to park with consideration for the feelings of the local residents. Anyone wanting these flyers to contact the secretary.
The meeting discussed the problems caused by the new traffic flow system on Ormonde Street and Chester Road junction. The increase of traffic in the side streets was considerable and the sign posting also caused confusion. The meeting agreed a letter be sent to Cllr Watson stating our concerns.
Any Other Business
P Dixon advised the meeting to write to the Council to ask for a list of numbers envisaged in
Residents parking only. Need a guarantee that hospital permits would be kept to a minimum with reductions each year. Yellow lines should be placed in all back lanes. Local businesses should not have to suffer as they are allowed to load and offload. Businesses should be allowed parking for their customers and should be included in the planned consultation. The revenue required by the council to implement these schemes should be the least consideration as the safety of the residents and pedestrians in these areas was the higher priority. The planned parking meters proposed for Kayll Road should help to offset costs.
It was proposed that flyers be placed through doors of streets affected by the no right turn at Chester Road/Ormonde Street junction asking for their comments. S Adamson agreed to be contact.
At present to leave St Gabriels Estate to gain access to Ormonde Street you either had to drive into Henderson Road and negotiate the parked cars there in order to then turn right onto Kayll Road and then cross Chester Road and go straight on to Ormonde Steet or turn left onto Chester Road, drive down to and turn right into Grindon Terrace then right into General Graham Street then left into Chatsworth Street, (all of whom have their own parking problems because of hospital staff and visitors) right into Cleveland Road and then finally left into Ormonde Street to continue on to the Barnes roundabout. The other alternative is to across to Ewesley Road and then cross both Cleveland Road and Mount Road which already have a lot of school traffic from Barnes School.
Bollards should be requested for the remaining corners on St Gabriels Estate as the cars parked across these were a nightmare for residents. The bollards on Henderson Road which were not wanted were causing their own problems by restricting access from Erith Terrace into Henderson Road.
City Cabs were still causing problems by double and even quadruple parking outside the garages in St Gabriel’s Avenue. Even though they were not obstructing traffic as such they were making it necessary for pedestrians to have to walk into the rood to get past. Maybe the hospital could be asked to help as it was their contract with City Cabs which encouraged the taxis to park near the hospital.
P Dixon handed out leaflets advising residents they could attend Local Area Committee meetings and ask questions directly themselves.
The meeting also agreed that flyers be posted through all the doors advising residents of our progress so far and thanking them for their continued support.
The meeting closed at 8.10pm.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
How are the schemes working?
You may have recently had a leaflet from the BPMRA through your door asking for your comments on the changes made to the traffic flows on Chester Road and nearby streets.
Let us know how these changes have affected you.
Have the 'no right turns' reduced traffic in your street or has traffic increased?
Is your street safer?
Have you been involved in or witnessed any accidents or near misses as a result?
Return your comments on the form or email us at bpmra.sunderland@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
The changes are apparently experimental and any information will be passed on to the Council.
We are awaiting the councils consultation on the revised plans for the residents parking scheme in the hospital area. You can find an outline of what is expected to be included in the scheme below.
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