The local authority have informed the BID that it is statutory for them to re-install the yellow lines (both single and double).  I have responded that a business consultation is required as the estate make-up has changed and some businesses will not be able to operate.

The Willow Lane business Area is impacted by a number of activities and anti-social behaviour that is taking place on our estate. This includes the dumping of cars and containers for long periods, the use of pavements to park illegally, the installation of illegal signage on private land and the parking on yellow lines. The council have contacted the BID raising concerns around these matters and highway safety.  It is proposed that this is tackled by looking into implementing a Willow Estate Parking Strategy that will maintain the service needs of the estate, improve traffic flow and look at the viability of introducing visitors parking whilst ensuring employees can still have parking.

This will require the council to carry out an initial email consultation with all the businesses on the estate asking for views on parking needs and to highlight any concerns relating to the traffic movement on the estate. It is a significant piece of work and if supported may need to be introduced in phases. Reviewing the whole estate, the council may ask you about:

1. The Current line markings and associated enforcement, is this sufficient? what more is needed?
2. Areas of the Highway that are obstructed by containers and other structures. How do these impact you and your business?
3. There have been complaints that there is nowhere to park to visit businesses, could dedicated visitor parking bays be considered and where?

The council will ask for your views and will collate all responses. We intend to work with the local authority and the outcomes will form one of the BID4’s commitment’s in the new term. In order to do this the BID will need to share it’s business email address with the local authority. We will send this to the local authority in December but if you do not wish to participate in this exercise or do not want your email shared please contact Anthony asap on bid@willowlane.org.uk to opt out.

At the same time the BID will continue to survey and report illegal parking.

On a positive note, the BID has successfully removed a number of vehicles which have been dumped on the estate and regularly reviews and reports abandoned vehicles.