You have your say on the parking debate
To have your views included, please send to Ian Locks at
i.locks@btinternet.com
Sam Marcus
As a resident of Staples Road and a mother of pupils at Staples Road Primary I feel making our road permit parking would just cause more chaos. I feel myself and all my neighbours are very accommodating to each other when parking or leaving our spaces to allow our fellow residents to take the space without any fuss. If a neighbour is having building work then we simply allow them to put their bins out for the workman’s van. Yes the school periods 8.30-9am and 3-3.30pm can be stressful for some but as the head Mrs Wallace stipulates on the parent mail it’s a catchment school therefore all parents could walk their children to school, obviously excluding those working parents that need to catch a train etc. We have to be understanding their is no school parking facilities, we have to be understanding to Fifteen Wine Bar that they also have a right to make their business work. It’s a Lets not forget its a beautiful road, not a practical road which I think will only attract flexible residents. (do I only speak for myself?)
Diane Rhodes
I was very disappointed to read the notes of the recent meeting with NEPP which say that a permit scheme would make no difference to our parking situation.
It seems to me that different people have differing views as to who is parking in their road and I am wondering if it might be useful for a survey to be carried out to ascertain the facts about parking in our area. Then perhaps we could all be informed as to which groups of people are parking in which roads then we could see what options we might have of dealing with the parking. Shouldn’t we quantify the problem first?
County Councillor Chris Pond
I have had only brief talks with NEPP over this, but I have stressed that signs should be kept to an absolute minimum in the CA and have been assured they will be. The only major signs would be at the 3 entrances to the zone (Zizzi, 1 Kings Green, and foot of Pump Hill), and no signs should be attached to CA lampposts.
Ali Trauttmansdorff
I agree there is not enough info to make an informed decision. For now we are against and certainly wouldn’t like the idea of guests and workmen having to pay to visit. We also think the introduction of the scheme would have a negative visual impact on the area. We think the problems however are specific that need addressing and do not require resident parking. Double yellow lines are needed where the road is just too narrow to park ie around the cottages and the Rose Cottage, marked out bays on Kings Green to regulate how people park and stronger restrictions at the Fifteen pub, stopping people parking on the pavement or restricting access as a number of examples. Resident parking here would just push the issue elsewhere.
Guy Harvey
As a resident who has no off street parking facility, why would i want to pay over £100 to park my cars every year and impede all friends and family visiting me. And then have the added bonus of having Traffic wardens buzzing round the place. Waiting for a ticket to expire by a minute then slapping on a £60 fine. When at the moment I don’t have to?
Do I want the Hills to become just like another London Suburb? Do I want Residents to start demolishing their front gardens and turning them into Drives? Do I want the Gardner’s Arms to suffer like the 12 pubs closing their doors every week in the UK, and that turn into residential places? Do I want local Businesses here to suffer? Is it worth risking a minor inconvenience ( Parking) with a major one ( Traffic enforcement officers)? Do I want a friend who pops in for two minutes to start worrying about their car outside?
Yes, there are too many cars, but they tend to be those that are owned by local residents.
Staples Rd houses tend to be narrow, and probably not as wide as 2 cars, so it is plain to understand that road will always be full.
Yes, the ’15’ Bar ( Wheatsheaf ) causes a huge bottle neck at times. But I have only waited a minute at the most until I can get through. Does not justify me wanting to pay £100. Why not just have double yellow lines on just one side of the road opposite? I read that if we don’t agree to this, then we will lose the chance of it happening again… What Rot! Parking is a hugely profitable business for the Council and the parking company. If parking gets worse they will come round like a shot to put up meters. Feeding off peoples misery!
So as you guess – I don’t want any parking restrictions!
Tony Scott, York Hill
I agree with (the Hills Committee) comments that we don’t have sufficient information concerning the full NEPP proposals and there hasn’t been a proper consultation process. I believe the vast majority of cars in the area belong to residents and many have more than one car. Teachers, visitors,tradesmen and a few shoppers make up most of the rest. In general I think it’s a minority of residents that have real parking issues.
My main concerns are: Residents will actually lose parking spaces due to additional yellow lining and pay and display parking zones; our country lanes will resemble town roads; Staples Road School teachers will still be able to park near the school so no additional spaces will be gained from them; parents dropping off and picking up school children cause inconvenience for only a short period during the day, and parents who wait in their cars are not actually considered to be ‘parked’. Many of the parking problems concerning Club 15 (the old Wheatsheaf pub) are caused by inconsiderate mini cab drivers and this will not be resolved by parking restrictions; a double yellow line outside the pub might resolve some parking problems caused by inconsiderate clients; residents’ visitors will additionally be inconvenienced in busy areas as they will have to make three journeys back and forth to display a visitor’s permit in their car; the parking permits are expensive and one only has to read in the local press about parking zone residents in Epping complaining about massive increases in permit prices over the years and other associated problems.
We live in an ever expanding community and a seemingly ever increasing lack of tolerance in our society. Over regulation is rife which is not always necessary. We must be careful what we wish for as there will probably be little chance of reversing the policy if implemented.
Perry Oldike
Where does one start? I am seething. The meddling busy bodies are nearlyon my doorstep encroaching on my way of life. The reason I moved to the plateau of Pump/York Hill is escape. Escape from the city where I work which is brimming with cameras and security so save us from ourselves. I enjoy the regressive nature of the Hills. I am unashamedly a luddite and do not welcome this kind of change.
I do not want verminous sneaky traffic wardens hovering around York Green. I do not want a pole with a 360 degree remote camera issuing tickets from a room in Essex and worse. I do not want my life irritated any more than it is by these sorts of actions. I have been happily living at the crest of Pump Hill for 13 years and parking whilst admittedly trying at times is fine with me. I chose to live next to a pub so I was fully aware what I was getting myself into. How on earth can you have a pay and display outside the Gardeners? It is a RESIDENTIAL area. Likewise the pub 15 at the bottom of York Hill will not be affected by these parking enforcement proposals unless it is up to 2200hrs or suchlike. It will remain clogged around there and there is not a lot as far as I’m concerned that can be done about it. Take away their licence and close it down is the only solution
Parking in the High Street was fine until it was revised,developed and spaces were removed. Likewise Debden Broadway was ruined by imbeciles. What goes through these people’s minds? More and more cars on the road so we’ll remove spaces!
I suspect this sort of thing will grow like a cancer under the LRA so keep your eyes peeled in the next couple weeks or so. There will be a for sale board outside my cottage and the Nazis who propose this vile scheme can pat each other on their backs for infinity. It will not be my problem. If I wanted this kind of oppressive drivel I’d have moved to Islington or Harringey.
Footnote.
If the authorities want to do something constructive in Loughton/Debden how about getting rid of the traffic lights at the M11 junction and replacing the whole lot with a simple roundabout. I have spent days of my life sitting there for no reason.
Dr Donald Pohl of Queens Road quoted in The Loughton Guardian
Is quoted in the Loughton Guardian as criticising the NEPP for the consultative process which he says is confusing and not comprehensive enough. He said: “There is considerable confusion amongst residents of Queens Road about the questionnaire.
“It is not clear whether it is merely a consultative document or the results constitute a final and decisive vote which will enable the NEPP to take action. We were not required to give our names or addresses. How will the organisers be able to establish whether respondees have the right to vote?
“Since there are no registration numbers on the forms how can they ensure that photocopies are not made enabling respondees to make multiple votes. I have not spoken to a single neighbour in support of a permit system, people have made space in their front gardens for parking.”
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Don’t miss 22 April deadline for submissions
With less than two weeks to go to the closing date (22 April) for the consultation on the review of on-street parking arrangements in York Hill, Staples Road, Queens Road and adjoining roads a meeting of the Hills Amenity Society Committee last night agreed that there was a strong need for more information to enable an informed decision.
The committee is to press ahead with requests for a meeting with the North Essex Parking Partnership to understand how much research has been carried out into the proposal and whether there is evidence that the proposed restrictions will alleviate the undoubted parking issues which exist and are suffered by many residents.
Members agreed unanimously that not enough was known – or had been explained so far – to enable a balanced decision to be made. It was essential that a further yes/no vote was allowed after the proposals had been drawn up.
Research carried out on behalf of the committee suggests that most of the cars parked most of the time are those of residents ourselves. Staples Road, York Hill, Queens Road, Pump Hill and surrounding roads are “chock a bloc” most nights even after the pubs are closed and office, shop workers and commuters have gone home, the committee heard.
The number of residents’ cars had grown inexorably in recent years and, while this would presumably plateau at some stage, there was no sign of this stage yet being reached.
Members of the committee individually reported parking issues in different parts of the area. It was accepted that there were obvious pinch points which caused pressure and frustration which needed to be addressed. Staples Road School during term time, especially of course at dropping off and picking up times, and peak times around Fifteen and The Gardeners and the shambolic parking lot which Kings Green had become every day were obvious examples.
As a conservation society the committee agreed there were obvious concerns over the “urbanisation” effect of such a scheme. There would inevitably be increased pressure to pull out hedges and pave gardens – a current application in York Hill was cited as an example.
Would the whole area be yellow-lined? Would there be boxed parking slots? If so, where and how many? And would this actually reduce the number of cars that could be parked? How many and how intrusive would be the inevitable signage and parking ticket display machines. Would visitor parking also actually reduce space available for resident parking?
And would restricting the York Hill, Queens Road and Staples Road areas simply shift the problem to the Baldwins Hill area already challenged with its own parking issues which are in parts at least as severe as in the areas currently being discussed?
If you would like to share your views, please email the Hills Amenity Society newsletter editor i.locks@btinternet,com. Submissions will be posted on the Hills Amenity Society website newsboard
News Update – March 2013
Parking restrictions likely to spark debate
A major residents’ parking scheme operating seven days a week, 24 hours a day is being proposed for the York Hill and Staples Road conservation areas and surrounding roads.
Roads affected would be York Hill, York Crescent, Potters Close, Wallers Hoppet (excluding the private road), Woodbury Hill, Steeds Way, Forest Way, Pump Hill, Queens Road, Staples Road and Kings Green, and Kings Hill. Residents should have received advance notification of the plans via Loughton Residents Association to introduce the scheme for residents only parking coupled with some meter parking and extensive restrictions on parking in these areas. Detailed plans will be circulated in due course.
Hills Amenity Society has been in contact with Loughton Residents Association through County Councillor Chris Pond suggesting a joint meeting with the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP), the body responsible for parking matters in our area. The purpose of such a meeting would be to understand better the details of the scheme and how it will impact on residents.
Discussion is likely to be around how such a move will change the nature of the conservation area through such urbanisation against the considerable aggravation which many residents and pedestrians suffer from parked vehicles.
Residents affected should receive a questionnaire to be returned to NEPP. Our understanding is that the scheme will go ahead if the majority of residents responding give their support.
Parking around Fifteen could prove final straw
A retrospective application has been made by Fifteen at the bottom of York Hill to be allowed to retain the terrace and picket fence erected without permission. Representation has been made opposing the application on the grounds that the building of the terrace has exacerbated parking problems with several spaces lost resulting in parking around the establishment causing considerable problems. In particular this is caused by cars blocking the pavement opposite creating a major danger for pedestrians.
Slowly, slowly with the posts on York Hill Green
The York Hill resident who has been campaigning for action to repair the damaged posts on York Hill Green believes he may be in sight of success. He received the following note from Sue Ridgley, the land agent and planning officer for Epping Forest who has been on the case seeking to establish who is responsible for the posts. The finger now points firmly at the County Council. Writes Sue:
“The County Councillor has been in touch with the Highways Department who have now apologised for the difficulties I encountered trying to make contact with them.
“The bollards have been inspected by the Highways Department earlier this month and it was noted that the position of the bollards had not worsened since the last inspection in December 2012 and that although they are crooked they do not pose a safety issue. However, they expect that the bollards will be re-set during the next financial year. At least we have the promise of some action being taken; I’ll keep you “posted”.
As our persistent and heroic York Hill campaigner comments rather harshly we thought: “Don’t hold your breath….”
Goodbye April Cottage
In case you were wondering, the owners of April Cottage in Pump Hill had full permission to demolish the building, which had undergone extensive work only a couple or so years ago. There is permission to erect a new dwelling on the site. Meanwhile patience is required as massive cement lorries block the top half of Pump Hill seemingly most days.
Coronation Picnic?
Following the success of last year’s Jubilee picnic on York Hill Green the possibility of repeating the event this summer with a Jubilee “Big Lunch” is being investigated by the Hills committee.
Hope yet for a Plaque?
A delegation from the Hills Committee of the current chairman, Wendy Fisher, and chairman elect Stephen Cohen is to visit the Forest Commissioners’ offices in the hope of gaining permission for a Hills Commemorative Landmark Plaque on York Hill Green. The design offered by Stephen Cohen (above) received unanimous approval.
AGM on Thursday 23 May
Make a date for the Hills AGM and open meeting at The Gardeners Arms on Wednesday 23 May 2013.
A Steeds Way resident received the Hills Amenity Society shield for the best kept garden at the society’s autumn lunch on Sunday 26 November.
Mrs Julie Webster said she was “thrilled”to receive the award, though admitting she was a gardener
out of necessity rather than choice. “I do like everything to look nice,” she said.
Some 20 residents attended the lunch, held at the home of chairman Wendy Fisher, which provided an opportunity for members to meet the committee. Our picture shows Mrs. Webster (right) receiving the shield from chairman Wendy Fisher.
Have your say
The Heritage Assets Review of the District has proposed changes to Baldwins Hill and one minor change to the York Hill Area.
All houses in the Conservation Areas should now have received a letter inviting comment.
Click Loughton boundary changes consultation letter2 to see the letter from the council sent to all residents
Click here for the map of the area off Wroths Path proposed for EXCLUSION from the Baldwins Hill conservation area
and here for the map for the EXTENSION of the York Hill conservation area to include the west side of Pump Hill down to Queens Road – an area of sensitivity following long drawn out and frequently and robust planning issues.
The final report submitted to the Council by the Heritage Asset Review Consultants can be seen here
Contact is Maria Kitts at the District Council 0n 01992 564358 email mkitts@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
The Appraisals produced by Hills Amenity Society strongly recommend a 20mph speed limit for the three conservation areas and the roads immediately off them – something we are still a long way from convincing the authorities is necessary.
The Council view apparently is that the number of parked cars alone is sufficient to persuade motorists to drive slowly. “Yeah, right…..” as one resident put it. Just try taking your children to school, negotiating prams along pavements blocked by parked cars or chancing your life in a wheelchair.
If you support the Hills Amenity Society campaign for a 20mph speed limit and stricter controls on parked vehicles please submit your comments to i.locks@btinternet.com.
If you have been experiencing any problems with Speeding Cars and or Antisocial Behaviour around Queens Road & York Hill please can we ask that you report ALL incidents by dialling 101 or to Loughton Police Station / Essex Police and also email PC Bob (part of the Local Policing Team) at 71110@essex.pnn.police.uk cc david.linnell@loughtonresidents.co.uk
The Local Police Team have advised residents that if enough people feel the way we do they may be able to build up a case for the police to come and patrol our roads to help put a stop to these issues.
We would also strongly recommend you to talk to the local police team at their regular surgeries – this can be helpful for residents – and for the police. Next Meet your local police team:
Loughton NAP meeting
| Date: | 31st August 2013 19:30 – 20:30 |
| Where: | Barrington Community Hall Barrington Road Debden Loughton IG10 2AY |
| Extra Info: | This is a chance for you to come along to the meeting and discuss any neighbourhood issues you may have and also a chance to meet your local Loughton neighbourhood policing team. |
| Contact: |
Email: bob.amey@essex.pnn.police.uk |
Other local informal Police “surgeries” & future dates for Costa & Barrington Hall: http://www.essex.police.uk/ (Enter your post-code and then click on Events). bob.amey@essex.pnn.police.uk<mailto:bob.amey@essex.pnn.police.uk>.
Queens Road Resident
(Name and address supplied)
The speed limit down Baldwins Hill and York Hill should be 20 mph. We live in Baldwins Hill and when we
walk our children to school nearly every day we have to make a dive for it down York Hill to avoid a collision with a speeding car coming up or down. Also, it doesn’t help that the cars speed down Baldwins Hill in the mornings when you’ve got to walk in the road because you cannot get past the parked cars on the pavement with a buggy. – Baldwins Hill Resident – Name and address supplied.
I was walking up York Hill with two small grandchildren almost level with Kings Hill when a van came round the corner from the cottages so fast he did not even see us. I flung myself across the two children against the car we were passing and felt the vehicle brush against me. I swill feel faint at the thought of what so nearly was. – VJ. York Hill resident. Name and address supplied.
The speed limit down Baldwins Hill and York Hill should be 20 mph. We live in Baldwins Hill and when we walk our children to school nearly every day we have to make a dive for it down York Hill to avoid a collision with a speeding car coming up or down. Also, it doesn’t help that the cars speed down Baldwins Hill in the mornings when you’ve got to walk in the road because you cannot get past the parked cars on the pavement with a buggy. Baldwins Hill Resident – Name and Address Supplied
Support entirely 20 mph for Baldwins Hill (live at 22). Beloved cat killed by speeding driver last year. Show me where opponents of this view are, and I will arrange an equally speedy demise for them. Only kidding; no, really..
John Lowe
My family and I also live in Baldwins Hill and I’m pleased to see other residents share my thoughts that there should be speed bumps down our road. This would be the only credible way of slowing the speedsters down.Unfortunately like all these things it will probably take an accident before we see this though..i hope i’m very wrong ! R. Nelson. Baldwins Hill
When is something going to be done about parking on the Kings Green pavement? Now that vehicles park diagonally, frequently cars and large vehicles park right across the footpath up to the wall of the cottages. Ridiculous!
I too support a lower speed limit in Baldwins Hill and sleeping policemen would also help. The road is too narrow for speeding motorists M Purves, Baldwins Hillhe cars parkdiagonally you frequently get huge vehicles pulled up almost touching the wall of the cottages and it is impossible to walk along the pavement. Completely ridiculous… JB Staples Road
I think it should be 20 and not 25 as it has a better chance of reducing speeding. 20 is also a standard limit in other boroughs. Moreover I support traffic calming measures in York Hill as it is a question of when not if there is a collision with a pedestrian, due to the lack of pavements , and where there are pavements they are at times blocked with parked cars, forcing pedestrians onto the road. Even some residents tear up the hill with little consideration. A. Golan, York Hill.
Parking outside Fifteen at the bottom of York Hill is just ridiculous as the cars park right across the pavement forcing pedestrians to walk in the road. AM. Queens Road
You can add this household to the list of those in favour of 20 mph speed limit signs. They wouldn’t make any difference to the speed of traffic, but they would represent sort of “boundary markers” which might make it more likely that peoples’ attention would be drawn to the fact that they are entering a “different” area. V. McDonald, Wallers Hoppet
Yes I would like to see the 20 mile signs also sleeping policemen on Baldwins Hill it is used as a rat run and driven very fast especially in the night G. Lawrie, Baldwins Hill
We would be very happy for the 20mph sign to go up. We worry for our children and the school children who use many of the roads, particularly York Hill. There are lots of “boy racers” who clearly do not respect the slow signs and the noise is irritating. Further we are beginning to find that people have started to park in crazy places. Opposite driveways so you can hardly reverse out, at tight points in the road on York Hill etc. Several times, I have had to reverse back down the hill and approach our house from other other end of the hill… AT – A York Hill Resident
A local consultation for Loughton residents will be held on Planning our Future – the new Local Plan – at the Town Council offices on Tuesday 18 September from 5pm to 9pm. Details of the plan can be seen at
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/planningourfuture.
St John’s Ward Councillor Caroline Pond reports that additionally all households should receive a leaflet about the consultation with a summary and questionaire. The main document is 193 pages.
All residents are welcome to attend the session at Loughton Town Council offices.
..residents form group to record future concerns
Despite strong objections from local residents, 13 of whom attended today’s licensing meeting, The Wheatsheaf at the bottom of York Hill has been given the go-ahead for late night opening, though with conditions which may give some protection.
The residents have now formed a group to log their complaints with dates and times and photos on an online log.
Said Diane Rhodes, one of those who attended the meeting: “That way we can get an overall picture of what is happening.”
The Wheatsheaf owners have responded that they will make their phone number available. They told the Hills residents that to date they had only received one complaint and they wanted to work with the community.
Loughton Residents Association councillor David Linnell is going to send a letter round with the results of the hearing together with contact names and numbers so that residents could log complaints. He also suggested as many as possible met with the police at the next meeting at St Mary’s to complain about the parking.
Hills resident Diane Rhodes said she was one of the 13 local residents who went to the licensing meeting. Several others spoke and it was reported that a lot of letters had been received from worried residents.
A spokesman for The Wheatsheaf said they were shocked to see so many local residents objecting.
Reports Ms Rhodes: “The licences were given subject to conditions. All outside areas have to be cleared by 11pm except for smokers but they must not take drinks out with them; No outside music (although the law changes in October and they will not need permission). They must put litter bins out on their premises. The licences allow for drinks to 12 am and close at 12.30 am. No bottles to be thrown in the bin making lots of noise until the next day during the day. No windows or doors to be open for the music to escape.”
She added that the landlord was clearly concerned about the last condition: “They said they couldn’t afford aircon…..”
Following a Heritage Asset Review by Epping Forest District Council there is new hope of action on the Appraisals carried out by Hills Amenity Society started in 2007.
The Asset Review recommends some minor changes to Loughton Conservation Area boundaries, with10 Pump Hill and School Green added to York Hill. No change is proposed to Staples Road while some houses in Wroths Path in the Baldwins Hill Area are recommended for removal.
Tighter control of changes to frontage are recommended for York Hill and Baldwins Hill areas, similar to those already in place for Staples Road under what is known as an Article Four Direction. Most significantly the Direction controls changes to boundary fences, removal of hedges, and installation of plastic doors and windows. No change is recommended for Staples Road
The implementation of the Appraisals and management plans for York Hill and Staples Road are to be prioritised.
No new conservation areas are currently proposed for Loughton, leaving the Hills the only conservation areas in the town.
County Councillor Chris Pond suggests Hills Amenity Society and individuals should press for swift action the extension to the Article Four Direction to York Hill and Baldwins Hill and the implementation of the Appraisals and Management Plans for all three of the Hills conservation areas.
Click here for full details on the EFDC file store
Thank you! Jubilee event much enjoyed…
The lovely letter below was received from Annabel aged 10 (pictured at work below her letter) who raised from her face painting during the Jubilee Picnic on York Hill Green. Congratulations – and thank you Annabel
