Have your say on a new eco-friendly car parking strategy for St Albans District

A consultation has opened into a new car parking strategy for St Albans District that is designed to be more eco-friendly and improve accessibility.

Residents, businesses, community groups and other organisations are urged to give their views to help shape the final document.

The strategy will provide a plan for managing public car parks owned by St Albans City and District Council and on-street parking over the next five years.

It has four key goals including tackling the climate emergency and improving accessibility.

The strategy also intends to make the best use of digital technology and ensure more efficient enforcement.

A number of projects to achieve these goals have been put forward including measures to reduce carbon emissions and encourage eco-friendly transport.

The Council’s Public Realm Committee discussed the draft strategy at its meeting on Thursday 15 September and agreed a consultation can take place.

This will start on Monday 26 September and will run for four weeks until Tuesday 25 October. It can be accessed here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Parking_Consultation_2022-2027/.

Councillor Helen Campbell, the Committee’s Chair, said after the meeting:

We are working to develop a parking strategy that achieves a number of clear objectives.

We want it to meet the needs of all our residents including those with mobility issues. We also want it to support the local economy, provide visitors with a positive experience and tackle the climate emergency.

The strategy will provide us with a framework for the next five years, shaping the projects we will undertake to further improve this important public service.

We want to hear from as many residents, businesses and community groups as possible to find out what their priorities are and to ensure that the strategy is responding to their needs.

All the feedback we receive about the key principles and the projects that we are proposing will be considered before we complete the final strategy document.

Projects put forward in the strategy for tackling climate change include introducing electric vehicle charging points at car parks and promoting car clubs.

Proposals to improve enforcement when motorists park inconsiderately or illegally include targeting congestion caused by parking outside schools and identifying hotspot areas for illegal parking.

To better meet the needs of disabled and older people, the Council is looking to review current parking place designations.

Digital technology could result in the introduction of paper-free virtual parking permits and the scrapping of pay-and-display machines.

QR code for survey:

Media contacts: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City District Council: 01727-819533,  john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.