Parking management scheme: Time to Vote

The parking management scheme has been operating for a year now in several streets around the hospital. This has successfully reduced the problems associated with all day parking for residents in these streets. Prior to the scheme there was regular complaints from residents who were unable to park in their streets and often stories of drives, garages and back yards being blocked by inconsiderate parking. As one resident stated recently “we lived in a car park for years but now we’ve got our street back”.

Many streets did not vote in favour of the original scheme and therefore were not included in phase 1. However, residents are now finding that the parking situation has worsened in their streets.

The council are now consulting residents of a number of other streets on whether they should be included in the scheme. The votes will be counted on a street by street basis and as with the original scheme, only those streets with a majority of households in favour will be included in the extended scheme. It is important therefore that you use your vote. An unreturned vote is automatically counted as being a vote against the scheme. 

A number of streets are being included in the consultation as ‘reserve streets’. If any of those streets in phase 2 do not have a majority in favour then the reserve streets will be considered for inclusion in phase 2 instead. 

Any reserve streets voting in favour this time but not included in phase 2 we hope will be included in the next phase of the scheme without further consultation. It is important therefore that all households consulted return their voting form by 7^th January.

There have been no changes to the way the scheme operates, with a permit only required for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. Outside of these times, no permit is required. No permit is needed if a vehicle is parked off the road e.g. in a back yard, drive or garage. The first permit for each household is free. A visitors permit is available for £40 or books of 10 scratchcard permits are available for just £10. Further details are in the consultation packs.

Council officers are available all day (8am to 8pm) on Tuesday 11^th December at St Joesphs Community Centre and on Wednesday 19^th at Ewesly Road Methodist church to answer questions.

The council are aware that parking problems will be worsened in streets not included in the scheme and will continue to monitor these streets with a view to including them in future expansion of the residents parking scheme. The residents association will be pressing for this to happen as quickly as possible.

Important reminder to Residents within the parking scheme

A reminder to residents living within the parking management scheme that your permits are due for renewal at the end of December. The council are not sending out reminder so it is up to you to renew your permits. 

You can e-mail your request to hospitalpms@sunderland.gov.uk or write to Parking Services, Jack Crawford House, Sunderland SR2 8QR. Alternatively you can take your written request to Kayll Road Library and they will forward your application direct to Parking Services.  If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Parking Services on 0191 5611433.

Meeting: Tuesday 4th December

All are welcome to join us at our December meeting held in St Mary Magdalenes Church Hall at 7pm.
The agenda includes an update on the parking management scheme, crime and anti-social behaviour and local transport issues.

We did think that we would be losing our local police officer from our meetings but PC Kevin Hood told our last meeting that he would still be allowed to attend and would endeavour to make the meetings both when on and off duty. Kevin provides valuable information on crime and anti-social behaviour in the area as well as giving timely advice to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime. He is also willing to listen and answer questions residents may have and where necessary will follow up complaints/problems. 

At the November meeting, Kevin reminded us that in the run up to Christmas we should ensure that doors and windows are locked and where you have vertical blinds, to turn them away from the tree so that a would be thief cannot see presents sitting under the tree. Also, valuable advice at any time of year but particularly in the festive period, to make sure that anything left in a car is locked out of sight in the boot.