16 September 2023
Highways: Report from  Glynis Youngs:
I have not had any new communications from residents in the last month. From the August meeting I said I would continue to find out whether it is free to park in Council run car parks if the machines aren’t working. On 4th September I received a response the Resolution and Response Officer via Councillor David Godwin which read:- The Parking Manager has advised that where Pay & Display machines are inoperable and officers are unable to carry out repairs, the machine will be covered over and a sign displayed to advise of free parking, for the maximum stay period. If there are other, working machines nearby then free parking will not apply. Havering is currently tendering a contract for the replacement of Pay & Display machines. It is anticipated that new machines will be installed in November/December 2023.
Therefore, I suggest that unless all the machines have been covered and a note added it is not guaranteed that it would be free to park if a machine isn’t working as the Council may not be aware of the problem. You would need to search for any other units in that car parking area to get a ticket. If none of them are working, it may be better to find somewhere else to park and advise the Council about the non-operational machines. I am still concerned about the new Pay & Display system which I’d heard would be cashless. It may disadvantage a section of the local residents who do not have a phone, understand Apps or have a bank card of some description. The major talking point in the last few weeks has been the extension of the ULEZ. It appears there is an interactive map available online which shows where the cameras are, including those that are not operational and those without a camera, at the moment. It is called Julie’s ULEZ Map. There is no guarantee that you will be able to avoid the cameras as I have been told there are mobile screening units which could still catch you. Given that the system has been in for nearly 2 weeks, I know a couple of people who feel a bit trapped at home for fear of using their cars which are non-compliant. This appears to be affecting their mental health. An update on the PCNs I mentioned last month. To date there has been no response from Havering to the appeals. The allowed 56 days to reply expires mid to late September. However, just to reiterate on the matter of a yellow box junction. The Regulations require the exit from the box to be clear of stationary vehicles when the box is entered. If the exit becomes blocked after entry, for any number of reasons, then it is not a violation.
I have been advised by email that the overhanging foliage mentioned last month has been addressed. I have not been going out as much but visited the locations before the meeting to find that the Garland Way and Ardleigh Green Road sites have not been dealt with. I passed this information on to Councillor Keith Prince after the meeting.
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