Forum Topic

Major Squeeze on Parking Spaces in the Borough

It is disappointing not to have had the opportunity to have commented on the plan to convert lots of parking spaces in the borough to electronic car charing stations. I'm not against it in principle as it is clearly necessary that if there are more electric cars they will need more places to charge them. However, more consideration needs to be given to the implications of the sharp reduction in the number of parking spaces in the borough.We would all, I would hope, by now have reduced the amount we use our cars by and cut out unnecessary short journeys. However, it is only a small proportion of families that can dispense with a car altogether and the rest of us need somewhere to park them.The LTNs planned across the borough all seem to be taking out quite a few parking spaces.All those new flats being built, while notionally car free, will inevitably cause more pressure on available parking space. We all know the dodges used by people - dubious blue badge claims, business permits etc. to be able to park.Once the number of parking spaces falls below the number of cars needing to park in the area then you will see an increase in traffic in residential areas as people circle round looking for space. Combined with LTN restrictions this could mean some roads that were previously quiet will have a constant stream of traffic.If you think it is worth the price consider the position of a woman who works irregular hours and needs a car for her work coming home at night and not being able to park particularly close to her home.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 1733d20 Comments

It would be good to have some statistics in this discussion. The rhetoric from Ealing is anti-car and anti-parking but remember they also get a substantial amount of revenue from this source. Last year they introduced shared bays which was a clear demonstration that revenue was more important to them than the environment. There have been isolated reductions in parking spaces across the borough but until we know the total number of spaces that there are and what percentage these have been reduced by, it is hard to accuse the council of a systematic squeeze on parking space.

Gordon Southwell ● 1721d

I suspect the unreasonable requirements for ID are an over reaction after rampant abuse of the Blue Badge system in the borough was discovered.

Andy Jones ● 1722d

I agree.  My FIL even when he was registered blind was difficult to get a Blue Badge for.  It was supposed to be straightforward but wasn't because of all the ID required.  He had no current Passport, no current driving licence, no gun licence and because his sight had been bad for a while was probably ahead of a lot of other people in getting all his bills etc  paid by direct debit so never had any paper ones.  They didn't like the photos we took (although alright for other agencies) and it was very difficult getting out and about to get photos taken.  We always needed to find accessible buildings for appointments and despite a Disability Discrimination Act it is amazing how so many important buildings eg Post Offices and Solicitors Ofices still have steps.  Not to mention STATIONS!

Philippa Bond ● 1723d

Just look at some of the occupations some of these councillors are in. Never done a real job, just fed off institutions. And political ones at that. Hardly representative.

Raymond Havelock ● 1724d

Bottom line is that we have a determined and politically driven Council run along some weirdo form of perverted Lefty Ideals and they simply do not do their basic Council job of listening to and serving the people.Of the many areas they could easily "improve" in, ensuring full disabled access at all stations is one of the simplest. If they cared.

Rosco White ● 1724d

Unfortunately disabled access for public transport is completely slanted towards wheelchair users. They actually make up a very small percentage of  mobility restricted disabled. They are also one of the few disabled groups who gets a full mobility allowance and motorbility schemes.Then there's a significant percentage of whom there is no actual disability classification - Unless you are claiming benefits in which case you can get additional support. But you can have more severe issues and not get anything.That is most people who simply muddle through.This is where the council is being so vindictive towards so many without consideration, not just on parking but on other 'initiatives'  Cllrs. Bell and Sabiers in particular should hang their heads in shame for their inability or deliberate ignorance of huge numbers of ordinary people with age related issues and the devastating effect their impositions are and have already had on them.Interesting that they dare not do this in their own doorsteps as they keep rather quiet about how they get forms of assistance.Arthritis affects 1 in 6 at 56 years plus and increases.  It affects all sorts of things from the ability to type or use a keyboard to using a door key or putting on shoes.It severely restricts walking, balance and leaves people with constant pain.Maybe if some of these councillors and exponents of walk more and cycle had a week of such pain and restriction, they would thing a bit more pragmatically than idealistically.Rather ironically a large amount of people who suffer Arthritis and mobility issues were very fit and active people most of their lives and do active occupations.For some it's a consequence of overdoing it and wearing out joints from repetiton and our damp winter climate.As we have and will have a large proportion of society always coming into this long section of life, it has to be factored in and accepted.Currently it works but this tampering without proper thought is starting to cause great distress and mental stress to people who are not even getting asked what they think.It has to be factored in to new designs and not just a stupid statement to satisfy planning requirements.  These 'Nuisance people"  And the Cllr quoted knows who he is. Fund this borough with full council tax and spend money in it to keep it's businesses going.

Raymond Havelock ● 1724d

No notice at al was taken during the redesign.There is still only one Unerground station in the borough that is fully accessible to disabled \9mobility impaired) users. LB Ealing had every opportunity to influence the design but chose to spend its time vilifying drivers instead. Had they worked with TfL then fewer disabled people would use private cars.

N V Brooks ● 1724d

There isn't enough room for everyone to have cars so cars and vans end up driving over the pavements and causing damage to them.  They then become dangerous and people trip up on broken rocking paving stones like me.  Some get up and some don't.  Many then lose their mobility and their confidence.  I met a woman on South Ealing Road who has a mobility scooter who goes on it to both Dukes Meadow farmers market and Acton Market.  Blocks of flats definitely need safe and secure parking for these as well and not just for cycles. They also need enough parking for visitors such as District Nurses and carers and more.  Pre-Covid there was this new bus that you could call up.  They have these in many other countries as well.  Then there are taxis and ubers.  Isn't there also  Taxi-card?It is also so important that the stations have good accessibility for all so that people can travel by train.  When there was the redesign of the area around Ealing Broadway station we had a chance to make our comments - not that they take any or much notice!

Philippa Bond ● 1724d

'Fortunately' my own mobility issues are patently obvious to even the most casual observer. I have two friends however who have Blue Badges for their children both of whom have complex medical issues that instantly qualify them for badges. Both of them face abuse however because the issue ore not predominantly mobility realteed.

N V Brooks ● 1724d

The number of people eligible for blue badges is rising and is now going to accommodate people who do not have mobility issues .The ratio of mobility limiting conditions is rising as people live longer and are still otherwise in possession of faciltys that allow an almost normal life.The car is one of the major contributors to that being possible. It allows participation in active life.Something older people in previous generations left them all too often isolated and alone long before their time was up.

Raymond Havelock ● 1724d

It is wonderful to see more whole families out cycling together.The first excuse for not cycling and particularly children not cycling to school is that it is not safe for them to do so.  This is a reason for families owning more than one car.  Hopefully with fewer cars and lower speed limits and fewer vehicles cutting through residential areas it will be safer.  Most people do adhere to those lower speed limits, many appreciate the lower speeds and it shows up for what they are those who don't.Cycles are not limited to two wheels and to particularly fit and mobile people.  Visit Wheels for Wellbeing to discover people who find alternative transport on wheels.  We used to have cycles with more wheels on our streets and we are starting to see them again.  There are multiple options.  There are also a lot of electric bicycles on the streets.  Some of these are the Lime bikes which you can readily hire.  Before constantly criticising any changes at all and being dismissive of other options - and there are more - have a look at what is available.There are also car clubs you can join where you can rent cars and discover what driving an electric car is like.Right now is a time to keep at a distance of 2m and to socialise in bubbles and to wear face coverings on public transport and in shops.  So many will not being going out or if out be spending more time outside in the open air and walking to local shops where you can or limiting trips in cars and taxis and other public transport.  It keeps the pollution down and the CO2 down and makes breathing easier for everyone.Make representations about the number of Blue Badge spaces being taken away and consider getting a Blue Badge sooner rather than later if you are eligible as it gets more difficult to sort out the later you leave it. I completely agree that there are temporary situations when a Blue Badge is not applicable and it is disappointing when there do not appear to be many other options.I have not seen so many mobility scooters around recently - I presume that the users may not be going out due to the virus - but there really should be more safe parking spaces made for these as well as safe cycle parking in new developments.  Developments need to be visited by people in cars or how does the District Nurse or the Doctor visit?  Where do Blue Badge holders park? No car parking at all is completely ridiculous.  How you monitor it so that only those who really need use it is something else!https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/

Philippa Bond ● 1726d

Now with Dean Gardens carpark going, there will be a major impact on both standard parking & Blue badge parking. Blue badge parking now 8 & after maybe 2 bays?

Peter Jones ● 1726d

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-tokyo-motor-show/toyota-launch-two-seat-ev-2020

Philippa Bond ● 1728d

Old age does not mean being disabled to have mobility issues. Things wear out but they wear out long before our life expectancy wears out.It used to be that life expectancy got you before many of these ailments kicked in.But what senior citizen of normal means will be able to afford an electric car?How do you charge it in a terraced street or street with no off street parking.Lamp posts are average 1 per 12 households so trailing cables are going to be a major problem.Fact is they know this but ignore senior people.One day all these Cycling Pontiffs will get worn out joints, hearing difficulties and no longer be able to ride a bike safely. But still be able to do most things with a car.It is very much part of why longer life is matched with quality of life.By then they will realise that there will be s** all freedom for them as well.

Raymond Havelock ● 1733d

I am so pleased to hear that other people are concerned about the difficulties experienced by disabled drivers and those who have difficulty walking let alone cycling!I have a muscle wasting disability and over the last year I have had the joy of experiencing what it's like to travel by public transport when I found through another medical condition, that I could not drive until after an operation. The tube is not fit for purpose and bus journeys meant that I was risking a fall every time the driver slammed on the brakes. Hospital appointments were a nightmare as had to find even more time off work to allow myself to get to them. On many occasion I asked for others to help drive me to some of my destinations which upset me and made me feel even more disabled than I already was.  The mobiity independance I had through driving had gone.Luckily I can now drive and am saddened by the lack of consideration by the council for those in similar situations. I have written to them and my councillor accordingly.

Barbara Hankins ● 1733d

If only it was just 79 spaces.Each of the 'temporary' planters requires (and shows) a 10 metre 'clear zone on approach and exit. That's on both sides and equates to 6-8 spaces lost adjacent to each structure.I have not counted the structure borough-wide but the eight to be installed to block roads between Northfield Avenue and Boston Road will mean the removal of, at best, 48 spaces on this scheme alone.

N V Brooks ● 1733d

There are more & more blue badge parking disappearing 4 in this case and the many that are left are not full standard disabled parking bays.

Peter Jones ● 1733d

But this is part of a pattern when we see west ealing is to lose car parks and that traffic pollution is going to made worse by blocking access between boston manor road and northfields. There are losses of parking at hanwell station area and many other places. so what we see is the wholesale assault on motorists. i moved last year away from hanwell but i needed my car to get to work. many people do so. equipment and other things plus tradesfolk with vans need to park somewhere. i cant see things getting any easier.

Peter Chadburn ● 1733d

That seems to be a rather stark conclusion to reach based on the loss of just 79 parking spaces. There must be thousands in the borough so to accuse the council of not caring for the elderly is over the top. What would your solution be, given that provision has to be made for electric cars and it is to all our benefit if they are more widely adopted?

Gordon Southwell ● 1733d

No consideration at all for older citizens for whom a car is the only form of independence.Who will pick up the tab and provide for those who all this bullying ends up in increased dependency?Not Ealing Council.I wonder how some of these Councillors like Sabiers and Bell can sleep at night knowing the lives and livelihoods that they are messing with to suit their careers and egos.Ultimately they are culpable and have to be prepared to suffer the consequences of irresponsibility when the time comes.

Raymond Havelock ● 1733d