It's that time of year again...

Away from the torrid world of Westminster politics which has been dominating the news agenda over the past week, I've spent some time dealing with the thorny issue of parking in the ward, although not for the first time it has to be said.

This is because the Council, in it's wisdom has just published it's proposed changes to waiting restrictions in the Borough.

 Barely a week goes by without me or one of my colleagues receiving an email or phone call from a resident about parking problems in their area.

In a densely populated ward like Redlands, parking is always going to be an issue.

Redlands is on the edge of the Town Centre, with a varied and highly mobile population placing particular demands on the local road network.

Throw in a popular schools, a successful University, and a major hospital and pressure on available parking in our area intensifies. As many people have observed to me, Redlands was not built for modern traffic and multi-car households.

Parking problems are not exclusive to our area: it was raised many times by residents from across Reading who took part in our Scrutiny Review into private rented housing which I Chaired earlier this year. Most were concerned at the impact the increase in houses of multi-occupation and flats is having on parking.

As local representatives we have been actively engaged in discussions over a considerable period of time with local residents, the Council, Reading University, the Royal Berks Hospital, Police and faith communities about how we can get a better balance between visitor and residents parking in the ward. We have tried encourage these different bodies to work more closely together to find solutions.

Some highlights below:

• In December I campaigned to get the University to do more to tackle overspill parking in local roads. Last September I highlighted similar problems associated with the RBH.

• Glenn held a very positive meeting a couple of months ago with local residents, Council officers, representatives from the Hospital and Reading University seeking a solution to longstanding parking problems on New Road.

• Kirsten has held meetings in recent weeks with residents, the Police, Council officers and representatives from Alexandra Road mosque to discuss a series of road safety and parking issues on Alexandra Road.

• I have been involved in a dialogue with residents and Council officers for several months about how to increase the availability of parking spaces for residents living on Hexham Road estate - a growing problem which the Council has failed to tackle for years.

These are just a few of the local parking issues we have been supporting residents on recently. In many cases finding a solution, if one exists, takes a considerable amount of time. With competiton for road space and more households owning more than one care It is very rare to be able to find a straightforward solution to parking problems.

That said, we will continue to work hard on residents' behalf to make sure the Council as the local highways authority has looked at all the options.

On Thursday, the Council unveiled it's latest round of proposed changes to waiting (parking)restrictions in the Borough, Due to lack of funds for highways works this process only takes place once a year which means that problems really can build up causing huge frustration for residentss.

Officers have investigated a range of parking problems across the Borough and proposed the following for Redlands:

• Granby Gardens - Convert the existing ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction on the east side in front of 3-5 (consecutive) Marquis Place and 27-41 (odd) Granby Gardens to a ‘No Waiting Mon-Sat 8am-6.30pm’ restriction. This follows representations I made to RBC last year on behalf of residents who were having problems finding parking spaces and getting lots of penalty charge notices.
• Farringdon Court and Erleigh Road -Extend the existing ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction on the north west side of Farringdon Court and on the south side of Erleigh Road at the junction of Farringdon Court. This is designed to improve visibility for road users and is something I raised with the Council on residents' behalf last year.
• Upper Redlands Road - Introduce a ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction on the north side around its junctions with Avebury Square. Reduce the ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction by 10 metres on both sides west of its junction with New Road. This is a second attempt by RBC officers to respond to local concerns after what officers proposed last year was roundly rejected by the majority of local residents. Glenn raised these concerns at a TMAP meeting last year.
• Eldon Square - Convert the existing ‘Shared Use 8am-8pm Permit Holders OR waiting limited to 2 hours no return within 2 hours, at other times Permit Holders only’ bays on the north side of the King George V Memorial Garden to a ‘Permit Holders Only’ restriction. This was in response to concerns about lack of parking for local residents.
• Lydford Road - Introduce a ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction for the whole length of Lydford Road on both sides. This follows concerns expressed by some residents about access problems.
• Redlands Road and Morgan Road -  Convert the existing ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction on the east side of Redlands Road opposite its junction with Morgan Road and on the west side around that junction to a ‘No Waiting At Any Time/No Loading or Unloading At Any Time’ restriction. This proposal following complaints from residents about dangerous parking at the junction.

The Council advertised these changes in this week's Reading Chronicle and on notices in the affected streets. We will also be writing to all residents affected with more details shortly.

The consultation period lasts until 29 May and residents wishing to send in comments should do so to Chris Brooks Head of Legal Services, Reading Borough Council, Civic Centre, RG1 7AE.  You can also email Mr Brooks: c.brooks@reading.gov.uk

We would like to encourage all local residents with concerns to send in comments to RBC to ensure that any issues with the proposals are ironed out, or if the proposed changes are not felt by residents to be appropriate they are not implemented and other ideas are explored.

We are not in the business of imposing unwanted schemes on residents: if plans do not make things better for local people they should not be given the go ahead.

Objections from residents will be reported to the Council’s Traffic Management Advisory Panel on  June 9 for consideration by councillors before the programme of proposed changes to waiting restrictions progresses.