NO WAITING RESTRICTIONS COULD BE ON THE CARDS FOR SEAVIEW HIGH STREET

A ‘no waiting at any time’ permanent parking restriction on Seaview’s High Street could be approved next week.

From next Thursday (7th November), council leader Phil Jordan could decide to authorise the policy.

It is said to have been called for by residents to deal with ‘persistent inconsiderate parking’, according to a County Hall report.

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The present parking situation has been described as unsafe for pedestrians as well as a cause of access issues and traffic delays.

If given the go ahead, the proposition would result in double yellow lines being installed on two stretches of the High Street – at one end overlooking the sea and next to a building housing the Seaview Deli.

In the Delegated Decision report recommending the changes, the council said:

“As per the legal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) making process and its requirement for a formal consultation, a public notice, outlining the proposal and inviting public comments, was published in the Isle of Wight County Press on 5th April, 2024.

“A public notice and plan were also displayed on-street for a period of 28 days, which is a week longer than the legally required 21 days.

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“The closing date for representations was 3rd May, 2024. The authority received four valid representations, one of which were in support and
three of which objected to the proposals on similar grounds – ‘reducing the on-street parking for the local residents’ and ‘removing parking might encourage speeding’.

“In recognition of the objections, the authority’s response is that the extent of the proposed restrictions can be shortened from 20m to 10m, to cover the narrowest part of the street only and to preserve two parking spaces after that point.

“It is also anticipated that the introduction of the short length of parking restriction will not increase the traffic speed due to the width and geometry of the road.”

Councillor David Adams, representative for Nettlestone and Seaview on the Isle of Wight Council, said:

“It was brought to my attention that there is a width restriction (pinch point), on Seaview High Street and may be problematic if emergency vehicles needed access.

“This was clearly an issue, as at various times whilst passing in my own vehicle the width was very restricted at this location if vehicles were parked opposite each other.

“I raised my concerns and reported it to highways and discussed the issue with the parish council.

“It was agreed the lines were necessary to allow the passage of emergency vehicles and we agreed to keep them to a minimum to prevent the loss of on street parking.”