Queen’s Crescent Market, Parking and loading changes

We asked for residents, businesses and market traders' views on 9 proposals, which amongst others include: Convert existing trader only parking bay (3 car spaces) at Gilden Crescent into permit holders’ only parking bay (Mon-Fri 9am-11am); Convert existing shared use traders/permit holders’ only parking bay (2 car spaces) on Queen’s Crescent, outside 186 Grafton Road into single yellow line.

Approximately 726 leaflets were distributed and a total of 44 responses were received, which represented a return rate of 6.06%. The responses indicate that all proposals have received majority support; however in the case of Proposal 4, the number of responses in favour is 17 compared to 16 opposed, and therefore the response is more balanced. Most of the comments have been provided are by those who have not supported the proposals. In most cases, these are from residents who have stated that their objections stem from the fact that the trader parking bays are not well used and they remain unoccupied on most days. They have suggested that the Council consider reducing the actual numbers of traders’ parking spaces by converting some of them into resident parking bays. They added that the proposal to convert these to shared use bays, which allow only traders to park for a few hours on market days would really cause inconvenience for the residents as they would have to move their parked cars during the restricted hours. Some businesses have requested for more pay and display parking bays as it will help bring customers to the markets.

Officers therefore consider that all proposals as consulted upon should be implemented as collectively they will help improve parking conditions for residents without having any detrimental effects on market traders.