Agenda item

By Councillor Heap - Westfield Street Parking

“A: Background

Committee notes:

1.   The roll-out of the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Gorgie.

2.   That Westfield Street is an unadopted street in Gorgie just outside the zone.

3.   Residents of Westfield Street have had large numbers of parked vehicles in their street since the roll-out of the CPZ, causing significant difficulties for residents.

4.   Residents cannot obtain a Parking Permit as the street is not contained in a CPZ.

5.   That the Council has stated to some residents that Westfield Street is an area without parking restrictions, thus increasing parking pressure on the street.

6.   That residents living between 314 and 374 on the north side of Gorgie Road previously relied on Westfield Street for parking and are also excluded from permits at this time.

7.   The possibility that these problems may undermine support for the Strategic Parking Review which is necessary to address parking congestion and promote active and public travel.

B: Residents’ requests

Committee notes:

1.   That the parking congestion on Westfield Street, and also Westfield Road and Alexander Drive has been exacerbated since the introduction of the CPZ, and many affected residents support the immediate extension of the CPZ into those streets.

2.   That the residents, meeting on Thursday 2 November 2023 at the BMC club, Gorgie, made the following requests:

a.   Signage highlighting the private nature of the street to be erected.

b.   Affected residents should be allowed to apply for a Parking Permit to park in the existing Gorgie CPZ.

c.    The Council should stop stating that Westfield Street is a free parking area.

d.   Council should adopt the street and extend the CPZ to it.

e.   Council should expedite the extension of the CPZ to include Westfield Road and Alexander Drive.

C: Support for the motion

Committee notes:

1.   That this motion is supported by Ward 7 Councillors

2.   That this motion has been written in consultation with the residents

D: Actions

Committee reaffirms:

1.       Its support for the aims of the Strategic Parking Review? 

Committee requests:

1.       A business bulletin item for the December Committee meeting and a report for the January meeting of the Committee with recommendations on how best to:

a.       Address the concerns highlighted in Background, points 3-6

b.       Respond to the requests highlighted in Residents’ Requests point 2, a-e.”