Market Place parking
Question 11:
If parking is retained on days when the market is not in operation, what kind of parking would you like to see?
- 727 (55%) respondents said that they would like to see restricted parking (30 minutes) if the parking was retained in Market Place on non-market days
- 218 (16%) said that they would like to see unrestricted parking if the parking was retained in Market Place on non-market days
- 207 respondents (16%) said they would like to see no parking and to use the space differently in Market Place on non-market days
- 147 respondents (11%) said they would like to see parking for the disabled only if the parking was retained in Market Place on non-market days
Comparison by age, disability respondent type
Age
There was a slight difference in responses when comparing by age. Respondents aged 24 and under selected different first preferred option (unrestricted parking) to overall results (restricted parking). There was no difference when comparing 65 to 75 age group to overall results. Respondents aged 25 to 34, 35 to 49, 50 to 64 and 75 and over selected the same first preferred option, followed by differences between their second, third and fourth choice.
Respondents aged 24 and under selected unrestricted parking (8, 47% within that age group) as their preferred option, followed by restricted parking (4, 24%), no parking (3, 17%) and parking for disabled users only(2, 12%).
Respondents aged 25 to 49 selected restricted parking (113, 44% within that age group) as their preferred option which is the same as the overall results. Followed by no parking (63, 25%) unrestricted parking (48, 19%) and parking for disabled users only (31, 12%)
Respondents aged 50 to 64 selected restricted parking (242, 57% within that age group), which is the same as the overall results. Followed by unrestricted parking (64, 15%), parking for disabled users only (59, 14%) and no parking (57, 14%).
There was no difference when comparing 65 to 75 age group to overall results.
Respondents aged 75 and over selected restricted parking (105, 66% within that age group), which is the same as the overall results. Followed by no parking (19, 12%), unrestricted parking (18, 11%), parking for disabled users only (11, 14%)
Disability
136 (53%) of those with disability selected restricted parking as their first preferred option, which is the same as the overall results. Followed by 45 (18%) who selected parking for disabled only, unrestricted parking 43 (17%) and no parking – use the space differently 30 (12%).
484 (57%) of those without disability selected restricted parking as their first preferred option, which is the same as the overall results. Followed by no parking (146, 17%), unrestricted parking (138, 16%) and parking for disabled only (88, 10%)
Residents
There was a difference in the second, and third preferred option when comparing residents’ results to the overall results for question 11. Restricted parking was the most chosen by resident respondents (572, 59% within that respondent group), which is the same as the overall results. Followed by no parking – use the space differently (154, 16%), unrestricted parking (141, 15%) and parking for disabled only (99, 10%).
Visitors
There was a difference in the third and fourth preferred option when comparing visitors’ results to the overall results for question 11. Restricted parking was the most chosen by visitor respondents (95, 43%) and unrestricted parking (52, 24%) which is the same as the overall results. Followed by parking for disabled only (38, 17%) and no parking – use the space differently (34, 16%)
Organisations (including businesses, organisations and councillors and ‘other’ capacity)
There was no difference in responses when comparing organisations’ and ‘other’ capacity results to the overall results for question 11.
Question 12:
Please provide any additional comments why you have answered this way (Market Place parking)
There were 534 text responses explaining the reasons for choosing the option including:
- 86 comments supporting unrestricted parking
- 294 comments supporting restricted parking
- 63 comments supporting disabled parking only
- 73 comments supporting no parking
- 18 with no option selected
Summary of responses of emerging themes and, or suggestions for improvement for Market Place parking across all options
- restrict parking in Market Place. Provide free parking but introduce restrictions including time (one to up to 3 three hours) and user restriction (designated disabled bays) – 180 comments
- provide more disabled parking – 54 comments
- pedestrianise – 13 comments
Unrestricted parking (86 comments)
Respondents felt unrestricted parking provides an opportunity for all to park longer when required. Additionally, free parking brings more people to town centre.
The top three themes and, or suggestions for improvements specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- restrict parking in Market Place – Provide free parking but introduce restrictions including time (one to up to three hours) and user restriction (designated disabled bays) - 29 comments
- free parking - 7 comments
- offer free parking in pay and display car parks – 4 comments
- introduce a charge after a free period of parking – 2 comments
Restricted parking (30 minutes waiting) to match other limited waiting bays in the town centre (294 comments)
Respondents felt restricted parking would provide a fairer access to shops and services. It would also provide a better turnover of visitors.
The top themes and, or suggestions for improvements specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- restrict parking in Market Place – 131 responses. Provide free parking but introduce restrictions including time (one to up to 3 three hours) and user restriction (designated disabled bays)
- parking suggestions for various locations in the town centre – 8 responses
Parking for disabled users only (63 comments)
Those who selected this option felt that there was insufficient provision of disabled parking in the town centre. There were also comments that designated disabled parking areas would:
- improve access to town centre for disabled users
- help reduce congestion (for example blocking traffic flow by parking on double yellow lines in town centre)
- improve safety for all
The top three themes and, or suggestions for improvements specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- provide more disabled parking – 51 response
- restrict parking in Market Place. Provide free parking but introduce restrictions including time (one to up to 3 three hours) and user restriction (designated disabled bays) - (7)
No Parking – use the space differently (73 comments)
Respondents felt there was adequate parking elsewhere in the town centre. They felt the historic Market Place was an inappropriate location for a car park and should be pedestrianised.
The top three themes and, or suggestions for improvements specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- pedestrianise – 13 responses
- inappropriate location -12 responses
- improve bus infrastructure – 3 comments
- provide more disabled parking – 3 comments
Comments not assigned to any option (18 comments)
The top three themes and, or suggestions for improvements specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- restrict parking in Market Place. Provide free parking but introduce restrictions including time (one to up to 3 three hours) and user restriction (designated disabled bays) – 13
On-highway limited waiting and parking bays:
The parking available in parking bays within the highway (in other words on-street parking bays) across the town centre has a mix of permitted waiting times, varying from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The survey asked about changes to 30 minutes waiting only for five locations to match the existing arrangements across the town centre.
Would you like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting only to match the existing arrangements across the town centre?
Question 13: Aswell Street
784 respondents (59%) said they would not like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting comparing to 507 (38%) who said they would like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting in Aswell Street.
There was no difference in results when comparing by age, disability, or those who responded as residents, organisation representative or other.
Question 14: Lee Street
818 respondents (62%) said they would not like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting comparing to 466 (35%) who said they would like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting in Lee Street.
There was no difference in results when comparing by age, disability, or those who responded as residents, organisation representative or other.
Question 15: Northgate
812 respondents (61%) said they would not like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting comparing to 477 (36%) who said they would like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting in Northgate.
There was no difference in results when comparing by age, disability, or those who responded as residents, organisation representative or other.
Question 16: Vickers Lane
784 respondents (59%) said they would not like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting comparing to 505 (38%) who said they would like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting in Vickers Lane.
There was no difference in results when comparing by age, disability, or those who responded as residents, organisation representative or other.
Question 17: Nichol Hill
777 respondents (59%) said they would not like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting comparing to 502 (38%) who said they would like to see the parking bays changed to 30 minutes waiting in Nichol Hill.
There was no difference in results when comparing by age, disability, or those who responded as residents, organisation representative or other.
Question 18:
Please use this space to provide any other suggestions you have for improving the on-highway parking bays in the town centre
There were 383 text responses with potential ideas on improving the on-highway parking bays in the town centre which were grouped as follows:
- extend time for restricted parking - 176 comments
- keep current parking arrangements – 31 comments
- free parking in pay and display car parks – 18 responses
- Eastgate narrow section and traffic flow issues – 14 comments
- provide more disabled parking - 10 comments
- review parking signage – 10 comments
Eastgate loading bays
Question 19:
There are currently two large loading bays on Eastgate that may no longer be necessary, given the changes to occupation of the adjacent buildings. The Board’s preferred option is – leave as existing. This is because it is not known at this time how the adjacent premises will be used in the future and a decision can be taken about these bays when this is known. Which is your preferred option?
- 595 (45%) of respondents selected option one – leave as existing as their preferred option
- 281 (21%) of respondents selected option four - a mix (of option two and three)
- 279 (21%) of respondents selected option two limited waiting
- 107 (8%) selected option three - disabled parking
- 27 (2%) selected ‘other’ as their preferred option
Age
There was no difference to the overall results within 35 – 74 age group.
There was a slight difference in results within 34 and under age group. Respondents aged 34 and under and 75 and over selected option one – leave as existing as their preferred option (103, 44% within that age group) followed by option two – limited waiting (55, 24%), option four (a mix of option two and three) (49, 21%), and option three – alter to disabled parking (20, 8.5%) ‘other’ option (6, 2.5%)
Disability
92 (36%) of those with disability selected option one – leave as existing as their preferred option. Followed by option four - a mix (of option two and three) 70 (27%), option two limited waiting 43 (17%), option three - disabled parking 43 (17%) and ‘other’ 7 (3%).
399 (47%) of those without disability selected option one – leave as existing as their preferred option. Followed by option two – limited waiting (194, 23%), option four - a mix (of option two and three) (183, 21%), option three - disabled parking (58, 7%) and ‘other option (12, 2%).
Residents
There was a slight difference in responses when comparing residents’ results to the overall results for question 19.
434 (45%) of residents selected option one – leave as existing as their preferred option. Followed by option two – limited waiting (223, 23%), option four - a mix (of option two and three) (204, 21%), option three - disabled parking (81, 9%) and ‘other’ option (16, 2%).
Visitors
There was no difference in responses when comparing visitors’ results to the overall results for question 19.
Organisations (including businesses, organisations and councillors and ‘other’ capacity)
There was a slight difference in responses when comparing organisations’ results to the overall results for question 19.
68 (60%) of respondents representing organisations selected option one – leave as existing as their preferred option. Followed by option two – limited waiting (22, 19%), option four - a mix (of option two and three) (16, 14%), option three - disabled parking (4, 4%) and ‘other’ (3, 3%)
Question 20:
Please provide any additional comments why you have answered this way or use the space to share any other ideas you have for the Eastgate loading bays.
There were 331 text responses supporting the chosen option including:
- 131 comments supporting option one– leave as existing
- 81 comments supporting option two – limited waiting
- 28 comments supporting option three - disabled parking only
- 59 comments supporting option four - a mix (of option two and three) 18 with no option selected
- 26 comments supporting ‘other’ option
- 6 comments not assigned to an option
Summary of responses of emerging themes and, or suggestions for improvement for Eastgate loading bays across all options
The top themes and, or suggestions for improvements for Eastgate loading bays across all comments were grouped as follows:
- leave loading bays for current or future businesses – 92 comments
- allow limited waiting parking in loading bays to address current need – 40 comments
- provide more disabled parking – 39 comments
Option one – leave as existing (131 comments)
Respondents felt there was a need for existing and any future businesses to utilise the loading bays hence they should be left as existing. They felt that decision about any changes would need to be deferred until more was known about future use of the related buildings.
Top themes specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- leave loading bays for current or future businesses (84 comments)
- allow limited waiting parking in loading bays provided the loading bays no longer needed – 3 comments
- inappropriate location for parking might cause additional congestion - 2 comments
- cycle parking - 2 comments
Option two– limited waiting (81 comments)
Respondents felt that additional limited waiting parking would provide convenient access to local businesses.
Top themes specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- allow limited waiting parking in loading bays (27 comments)
- increase town centre parking – (7 comments)
- consideration to allow a mixture of limited parking and loading bays (6 comments)
Option three – disabled parking (28 comments)
Respondents felt that there were not enough disabled parking bays in the town. Pointing that the ones that currently exist became full very quickly.
Top theme specific to this option included provide more disabled parking – 25 comments
Option four - a mix (of option two and three) – 59 comments
Residents felt that there is a need to increase town centre parking. They felt option four provided a good mixture for disabled and non – disabled users. They felt the bays are underused so if changed it would provide convenient access to local businesses.
Top themes specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- provide more disabled parking – 10 comments
- allow limited waiting parking in loading bays – 8
- increase town centre parking – 6 comments
- consideration to reverse the change from parking to loading bays should the need arise – 6
‘Other’ option – 26 comments
Top themes specific to this option were grouped as follows:
- remove loading bays to allow two way through traffic - 6 comments
- leave loading bays for future businesses – 4 comments
- provide more disabled parking – 4 comments
Comments not assigned to an option (6 comments)
- leave loading bays for current or future businesses (4 comments)
- allow limited waiting parking in loading bays (2 comments)