Residents in Newmarket to have their say on parking zone

28 Oct 2021

People living in the All Saints area in Newmarket are to be asked whether they want to see the introduction of a parking zone to protect spaces for residents.

Some 900 households in an area covering within B1103 (The Avenue), A1304 (not including the High Street), B1063, All Saints Road, and Granary road, will be sent letters by Suffolk County Council from 8 November asking whether they support the introduction of a Residents Parking Zone. The consultation will run to 5 December.

Only if the majority of residents asked say they are in favour, can the Residents Parking Zone (RPZ) be introduced in the town. A more detailed scheme will then be introduced for further consultation and adoption. If it goes ahead, only permit holders would be allowed to park in the zone during the day with fines issued by Civil Parking Enforcement officers to anyone not displaying a permit.

The idea is that it will prevent spaces being taken up by town centre visitors and commuters, keeping them free for residents. The scheme could cost households around £60 a year for one permit with the money helping pay for regular enforcement of the area - this is an indicative price and will be reviewed on the basis of the agreed size of the RPZ. Residents are warned that although it is expected a parking zone scheme would improve the current situation, it does not guarantee them a space close to their home.

The consultation follows requests made by a number of residents to both Newmarket Town Council and West Suffolk Council after the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement powers over 18 months ago. Residents told the two authorities that they were struggling to find somewhere to legally park close to their home and the town council said its own survey indicated residents were likely to be in favour of a Residential Parking Zone coming into effect.

Mark Walsh, Director for Operations at West Suffolk Council, said: “We have listened to the views of local residents and town councillors. Together with the town council we have formally commissioned the county council as highways authority to carry out the necessary formal engagement required. It does require the majority of residents to be in favour in order for this to go ahead. The consultation starts on 8 November and I would urge residents to make their views known.”

A spokesperson for Newmarket Town Council said “We are very pleased to support this consultation following on from the work done by our parking working group set up in response to residents' concerns in June 2020. This consultation has been possible due to the collaboration between residents and the local councils. We encourage residents to have their say on the consultation, and with sufficient support, we look forward to seeing the first residents' parking scheme in Newmarket in operation from as early as next year."

 

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