Purge of the Yellow Lines
Hundreds of metres of double yellow lines are to be removed from six shopping areas before the end of the financial year, after local people told the Council it was difficult to shop locally.
The Conservative Council is preparing to remove lines and create extra parking spaces in town centres particularly in Whitton, Teddington and Twickenham. Businesses and trader associations will be asked to nominate lines they think could be removed without affecting road safety or flow of traffic.
Already in the Crown Road shopping area of St Margarets, 12 new parking spaces have been created for motorists by removing approximately 50 metres of yellow lines. Four of the spaces are 30 minute free-parking bays to support local businesses and re-vitalise our town centres.
Cllr Chris Harrison, Richmond Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Street Scene, said: “We’re doing our utmost to support local shops to thrive, and one of the best ways is by making it easier for their customers to get to them.
“It’s a simple idea but until now no-one has taken the initiative and got on with it. Our All in One survey showed this was an issue for local people and by the time we’ve finished, I want to have our shopping streets looking busier and tills ringing even more frequently. Creating more spaces is another part of the Council’s fair parking agenda, which together with our RichmondCards will make it easier for people to park and shop in Twickenham's towns and villages.
“We will never compromise safety but there have been times where the Council might have been too zealous in installing yellow lines. Businesses have told us they have suffered because of this and now we hope to resolve that problem.
“I’m grateful to local traders who have already helped us to identify areas where lines could be taken out. We already have plans for about 60 per cent of the lines we want to remove and now with local people’s help we can fix the rest.”
Anyone who would like to suggest double yellow lines near their home or business which they think could safely be removed should email the location to highwaysandtransport@richmond.gov.uk
Any borough resident can apply for one of the Council’s RichmondCards, which allow the holders to park for 30 minutes for free in any council-run car park or on-street space. Discounts are also available for cardholders who wish to park for longer than half an hour. For details and to register for a card, visit www.richmond.gov.uk/richmondcard.
