Dear Neighbours,

We are exploring the option of changing our stretch of Bedford Road (from the traffic lights to the roundabout) to residents only parking, and we’d love your help. We have sought initial advice from the Planning Transport Team at North Herts District Council and Councillor Clare Billing. The case reference number for this petition with North Herts Council is: AF271866092

As residents you will no doubt be aware parking on Bedford Road (for those without a driveway) can be a nightmare! The crux of the problem seems to be people taking advantage of the free parking on Bedford Road all day, every day to work or visit town, which affects the ability of residents to park near their homes. A change to residents only parking will remove or improve the factors below for all of us:

• Local residents should have the freedom to use their cars and park near their homes at any time. This particularly effects any journeys taking place in the day, when the majority of spaces are filled by non residents from 8.30am - 6pm.
• There are few side roads in the area that can be used for alternative parking options, and being an extension to the one way system also effects this.
• There are two reasonably priced council run car parks at the swimming pool and Christchurch. Encouraging drivers to use these car parks generates more money for the local council, to be reinvested into local services.
• To bring our road into line with other roads in the area which already have residents only parking
• Key NHS workers on call 24/7 need to be able to easily access their car in the event they are urgently called in to work.
• Avoiding the loss of remaining green spaces that are important for wildlife and insects.
• The volume of non-residents parking on Bedford Road greatly increases during Hitchin Town FC matches, and when the circus or fair come to Butts Close.
• Allowing tradespeople servicing our homes to be able to park near the property to carry out their work (with visitor parking permits).
• Friends and family visiting could take advantage of a visitor permit voucher and park more easily
• For those with babies and children, parking close to the home is not only helpful but safer given the busy nature of Bedford Road.
• Damage has been sustained to the cars of residents on Bedford Road by non residents parking inconsiderately. Should the area be changed to residents only, any mishaps between neighbours cars would be easier to resolve.

For those wishing to park their car on the street, residents only parking permits would cost £84 per car, per year (£7 per month, £1.62 per week). Visitor parking permit books in similar areas of Hitchin with residents parking schemes cost £12 per book, for 10 permits. We appreciate this is an additional household cost at an uncertain time for many of us, however we hope you agree that a relatively small cost annually will improve the parking situation for all of us. Reducing stress, increasing freedom and improving life in a small way on our street.

The District Council have asked us to gather the support of the majority of residents on our road before submitting an application. We have set up an online petition where you can easily add your signature to show your support.

Please sign this petition by 9 November. We also look forward to getting to know our neighbours on the street better through this petition! You can also email me at dawnjuliannejames@gmail.com

Best,

Gareth & Karen (number 51)

Sarah (number 49)

Dawn & Piers (number 47)