Agenda item

The Corporate Property Manager presented the report which was seeking approval to make, implement and enforce byelaws to restrict verge parking on land owned by the National Park Authority or on Access Land associated with sites within Authority ownership.

The following points were noted:

·         The money from a parking fine cannot come direct to the Authority, the court receives the fee – as our legislation does not permit.  In terms of the fine process this must go via court though a paper-based exercise (called Single Justice Procedure).  The Authority would not be expected to attend court, other than if the parking fine were to be disputed.

·         The details of the signage within the carparks and on the verges was explored.  The cost would not be expensive.  The intention is for the signs to be short and succinct but if possible it may be able to use the signs to educate the public about the damage to the landscape.

·         The new formal parking provided in the car parks on the North Lees Estate will equal the current capacity of the carparks and the current verge parking.  Monitoring of the car parks and the verge areas is vital.

·         The comms message to the general public needs to reinforce that this is a conservation activity and not an income generating activity which has been brought about in order to protect the verges which are SSSI.  The message should focus on the nature and landscape elements, the intrusion and damage to the landscape and the cultural heritage element.  

·         The higher fine is appropriate and should work as a deterrent.  Consistency of implementation and enforcement is essential and visibility of enforcement is vital.

·         Many of the verges will become mounds where the carparks are being extended (Dennis Knoll). At Hollin Bank the verges are owned by Highways and are not access land and discussions are taking place with Highways regarding using bunds or posts on the verges as a preventative measure.

·         It is hoped that after the 4 week consultation and submission to DEFRA for approval that the new measures will be in place by the summer.

·         A technological response to parking was discussed and whether there was a way of making use of an app to direct visitors to available parking at the outset of their journey. Eastern Moors are trialling the use of drones to monitor carpark availability and visitors to the area.

The recommendations as set out in the report were proposed and seconded, put the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

1. To approve the strategy detailed in this report to restrict verge parking on the areas of Authority-owned land and highway identified within the proposed byelaws at Appendix 1, and highway land within the North Lees Estate. 

2. To delegate authority to the Authority Solicitor to take all necessary steps to make and finalise the proposed byelaws at Appendix 1, including advertising, consulting upon and applying to the Secretary of State for confirmation.

3. To delegate authority to the Authority Solicitor, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Resources Committee, to make any necessary amendments to the byelaws following the consultation process.

4. To delegate authority to the Head of Assets and Enterprise and the Authority Solicitor to implement and enforce the byelaws in their entirety once confirmed and in effect.

5. To delegate authority to the Authority Solicitor and Head of Assets and Enterprise to agree and enter into appropriate arrangements with Derbyshire County Council (and other Highways Authorities as appropriate) in order to achieve the same aims in respect of verge parking on highways land within the North Lees Estate that is not access land. This may include agreements for the delegation of functions of other authorities to the Authority, and the making, implementation and enforcement of any legal process to achieve these aims, as appropriate.