Residents Petition Council Over Westfield Parking
New consultation for parking zones around shopping centre
Local residents have handed in a petition to Hammersmith and Fulham council leaders in a bid to try and resolve the ongoing parking problems in the streets around Westfield.
The petition, which was signed by more than 95% of Macfarlane Road and Hopgood Street residents, was handed in to deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, Councillor Nicholas Botterill at Hammersmith Town Hall last Wednesday (May 13).
“We are taking this step so that the Council understands that there is a firm consensus in Macfarlane Road about the need for this street to be afforded some additional safeguards because of the parking problems, extra traffic, noise and disturbance, smell, litter and criminal activity, which when taken altogether lead to a lowering of the quality of life for residents simply because of the proximity of our road's entrances to Westfield's main entrances. How can we be expected to wake up one day with 260 new shops and 50 new restaurants on our doorstep and carry on as if nothing had happened?” said Vivienne James, of the Macfarlane Road Residents' Association.
Residents who live in the streets surrounding Westfield have consistently complained about being unable to park in front of their homes since the centre opened last October, as shoppers and staff take the cheaper and easier option of parking in the streets rather than in the Westfield car park.
Frustrated resident Peter Graovac said: “I have decided that it's not worth paying for a parking permit because of the lack of parking spaces. I think I will stick to pay and display and my poor mum who is 86 has two friends who would visit her regularly. Now they have given up because of the lack of parking. Something needs to be done.”
Westfield parking usually costs £2.00 for up to one hour, while pay-and-display bays in the street cost 90p for 30 minutes. However, Westfield are currently offering shoppers two hours' free parking to encourage more people to visit the centre.
Vivienne James says it has made some difference: “The two hour free parking until June only has helped undeniably but we still have the problem of taxis, chauffeurs, cleaners in the early morning, shoppers coming and going all day, and the continual blue badge use and abuse. In addition, this is the slowest time of the year during a period of restraint on spending. Wait till the upturn, Christmas, and the 3000 seat cinema opening,” she said.
The Council held a consultation earlier this year to find out which areas were most affected by the opening of Westfield and to investigate the impact the centre had on parking, especially in nearby streets.
The Council now say residents in parking zones G and J will receive a new consultation letter in June setting out potential options for changes to the current parking controls. Those in zone CC will be asked if they want to keep the Sunday parking controls as they are or have them removed completely.
Cllr Botterill said: “We want to find out from residents what longer term controls are needed in zones G and J. This means making sure we put in place a parking system that is fair and brings lasting solutions to the problems we have seen in the area.
“Our residents have some very interesting ideas and I am very keen, as always, to hear what they and businesses in the area have to say on this subject.”
The consultation questionnaire can also be completed online at www.lbhf.gov.uk.
Yasmine Estaphanos
18 May 2009
