Parking problems targeted at council meeting

At last Wednesday's Special Council budget meeting additional funds were allocated to help resolve parking issues in the borough.

£0.5 million per annum for three years has been allotted for improving off-street parking. Additional funds have also been ear-marked to enhance car park security and other schemes such as controlled parking zones.

Councillor Mandy Perkins, Executive Member responsible for Transportation, said: "Parking issues in Welwyn Hatfield cause much anxiety to our residents – I certainly receive numerous calls each week asking what we are doing about parking problems, as do council employees.

"Many properties were built well before car ownership was ever envisioned to reach current levels, and therefore in various parts of the borough there is insufficient provision for cars.

“In such areas the lack of parking causes environmental damage and, very distressingly, can also bring about neighbour disputes. 

“I am confident that providing additional off-street parking will alleviate some of these problems as well as fulfil the council’s promise to reduce illegal and nuisance parking."

Off-street parking schemes have been successfully implemented in other areas, such as in Hall Grove and the flats at Knightsfield, where there are now additional spaces and enhanced landscaping.

The council works closely with other agencies, particularly the County Council, in order to get the best value for residents' money, as well as many spaces as possible.

Mandy Perkins added: "It should be noted that this funding is in addition to such programmes as the extremely successful decriminalised parking enforcement that has now been in operation for over eighteen months. This scheme has certainly helped local economies in the retail areas in the borough.

"Lastly, there is money in the budget to improve security in our car parks.  We have received a Park Mark award for security in each of the last two years – in Osborn Way long stay car park and in the Hunters Bridge multi-storey car park – and we intend to achieve this status in more of our car parks."