BPMRA News

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