Residents request a ‘fair solution’ to Frome’s growing parking problem

FROME residents living on roads surrounding Weymouth Road – a residential road adjacent to Victoria Park – have responded to a letter from Somerset County Council which suggests the demand for parking has reduced in the area since the introduction of parking restrictions. The residents group dispute this, saying that the demand for parking has not reduced, but has been displaced to other areas. 

The Weymouth Road Parking Permit Challenge Group launched a campaign in February, now at 419 signatures, to protest against new parking restrictions on Weymouth Road that would include resident parking permits and on-street parking meters. The group fears that the changes, brought in by Somerset County Council from Monday 19th September, will force cars to park in nearby streets with no restrictions, causing parking issues elsewhere.  

They have also previously raised concerns that the parking restrictions will impact visitors to Victoria Park, discouraging them from visiting; and highlighted those residents and businesses of Catherine Street – who have to use the unrestricted parking areas of Weymouth Road due to limited parking on their own street – had not been considered during the consultation process.  

In a letter to the campaign group, the parking services manager of Somerset County Council, Steve Deakin said, “It is not considered that making permits available to Catherine Street residents will have a negative impact on Weymouth Road. Feedback received so far indicates that since the signs and lines have been installed, the level of cars parking in Weymouth Street has reduced, indicating there is sufficient capacity.” 

However, in response, the campaign group said, “Frome is a small rural town with a limited amount of parking. Transport links are poor and are being reduced further with the proposed reduction of the D2 bus service. Many people who live in Frome need to commute to work, as Frome cannot sustain employment for all of its population, necessitating the use of a car. The residents permit scheme which is now active on Weymouth Road (and other proposed schemes), will undoubtedly reduce the amount of parking spaces available overall for the town. 

“When many older residents moved to Catherine Street and surrounding area, there was plenty of parking available. There was unrestricted parking in Catherine Street, The Piggeries, Nunney Road, Christchurch Street West, as well as the Memorial Hall car park, Badcox car park and South Parade car park being free to use.  All this parking has quietly been eroded for the benefit of private businesses and housing associations. This is the result of a non-existent parking plan, with no provision for existing housing and little if any public consultation. 

“Steve Deakin’s response was the observation that demand for parking had reduced in Weymouth Road since the introduction of the signs and lines.” 

The restrictions being implemented within Weymouth Road are as followed: double yellow lines outside and opposite the pedestrian access to Victoria Park, permit parking – Monday to Sunday, 8.30am to 6pm, disabled drivers (blue badge only) – adjacent to Victoria Park entrance, and pay and display/permit parking – adjacent to Victoria Park. 

The group say that the demand for parking had not reduced as the population has not decreased – it is just that it had been displaced. They say this displacement has resulted in increased parking on Castle Street and Somerset Road amongst others, and that this has raised several safety issues, such a fire engine being unable to get through Castle Street, numerous examples of damage to cars of Castle Street, dangerous parking on both sides of Somerset Road reducing visibility, and increasing congestion. 

The group added, “Steve Deakin himself stated at a Frome Town Council meeting on the 16th April 2020 that, ‘Residents parking schemes are only one option, and in some cases not the best option.  However, the aim of this process is to establish what the best solution will be for the majority of residents.  In some cases, this could be to do nothing.’ 

“We question how the assessment was carried out and how a conclusion was reached that a residents’ permit scheme would be the most appropriate solution over other schemes. We are requesting transparency and clarity about the actual safety issues in Weymouth Road and all surrounding roads and ask that a detailed and evidenced assessment of this be made public. 

“We are also concerned that the parameters for the original permit scheme seem to have changed dramatically since the original scheme was proposed over two years ago, for example, Somerset Road is no longer included. The scheme now seems to have been extended to Sundays as well, instead of Monday – Saturday, as originally proposed.  

“Steve Deakin also stated in his recent letter to residents that the scheme will likely become permanent, implying a decision has already been taken, despite having currently over 400 signatories on the petition to request that the scheme is withdrawn and reconsidered.” 

The group states that under the experimental traffic regulation order being used to introduce the scheme, the local authority has a duty to consider all objections.   

The group added, “The original consultation didn’t consult with the residents immediately affected by the proposed scheme, for example Catherine Street, Christchurch, Castle Street, amongst others. A fair way forward could include the suspension and reconsideration of the scheme, the identification of actual issues and severity for all streets in the area; for example, safety, speeding, access for emergency vehicles and parking/blocking in of drives. We also want a review of all options including speed bumps, signage, and different schemes such as parking zones, as well as a consultation with all streets on which the scheme will have an impact and finally an evaluation and then feeding into a wider comprehensive town parking plan. 

“We hope that by working together, a fairer and more constructive solution to Frome’s Town centre parking needs can be found.” 

The petition can be found at: www.change.org /p/somerset-county-council-request-a-review-of-the-parking-scheme-on-weymouth-rd-and-surrounding-local-area