Residents Asked for Views on Parking Around Shalford Common

Published on: 13 Sep, 2020
Updated on: 16 Sep, 2020

Shalford Common. Photo: Daniel Hannington

A borough council online survey is now open for Shalford residents to help create a plan addressing issues including car-parking on the common and on access tracks.

The council is considering options for seven areas around Shalford Common and seek local views on how best to manage access and parking in each.

These areas include:

Huber’s Garage and Mitchell’s Row

- Kings Road shop-front
- Pound Place
- Parrot pub car-park
- Recycling car-park and Dagley Lane access road and
- Dagley Lane/Juniper Terraces

Approaches to Ashley Gardens & Christmas Hill

Also, a new area of registered common land may be allotted in exchange for the loss of any present area.

Part of Shalford Common is used by Shalford Cricket Club as its playing field.

Cllr Chris Blow

Shalford Cllr Chris Blow (R4GV) said: “Parking problems on Shalford Common have been only partly resolved by the council’s physical measures to prevent incursions on to the cricket field. The most contentious of the seven other areas under consultation is in front of the shops neighbouring the popular Snooty Fox.

“Commercial interests have to be weighed against road safety, but a new area or registered common land are being considered to compensate for any new area of parking on the common.”

Cllr Ramsey Nagaty

The second Shalford councillor, Ramsey Nagaty (GGG) said: “We value the commons within and around Guildford and hope residents respond and engage fully in this consultation. GGG and R4GV councillors will ensure views of residents and business are taken into account.”

If residents choose a survey option that will need third-party consent, new byelaws will be needed. These rules, made by a local authority or corporation that regulate themselves, will need statutory further consultation.

Cllr James Steel

Cllr James Steel, lead for Environment, said: “We are going to create an action plan on how best to manage parking issues. We want to hear residents’ views on how we can improve the management of the common and will consider all feedback to help make the best decision possible.”

The consultation ends on October 31, 2020. All responses are anonymous. If you would like to have your say, please go to our online survey: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/SURVEY_PREVIEW.asp?k=159223383446

More information on these sites can be found here: https://smsrltd.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/shalfordgreen_presentation.pdf

Responses to Residents Asked for Views on Parking Around Shalford Common

Martin Elliott Reply

September 13, 2020 at 8:24 pm

Surely the Local Plan has a section on transport including parking for all types of roads and open spaces?

With the House of Commons Transport Committee recommending a blanket ban on pavement parking, there will be an immediate conflict, in residential areas more than a few decades old, as in London Boroughs.

Greater London does have laws that specifically ban pavement parking. However in suburban streets they often mark off the pavements on both sides for parking but still don’t meet the demand of residents.

Weyside Urban Village states it’s planning on one or fewer vehicles per property, with frequent bus services and sustainable routes.

Bellfields and Park Barn also have frequent bus routes, but observationally properties have more than one vehicle, on average. Add to that the permit parking in the town centre and one wonders if the council is able to show any real “modal shift” up to 2020.

An action plan for parking, which should have been around a decade ago, needs to reflect the needs and aspirations of residents and visitors, not some political dream.
Jim Allen Reply

September 13, 2020 at 10:05 pm

Just another case of we ask, you give wrong answer, we ignore your responses.

Very tired of these meaningless consultations. Another one is in progress with the SARP or Wey Side Urban Village.