New parking scheme in Rickmansworth prioritises parking for residents and shoppers

A new Controlled Parking Zone will operate Monday to Saturday (except bank holidays), from 8.30am to 6.30pm, when drivers will need a valid permit to park on local roads.

The scheme was developed by Three Rivers District Council in response to requests from residents and the general public for a solution to local parking problems. Complaints included problems from inconsiderate parking in local roads, including from drivers seeking free parking while commuting to nearby towns from the railway station. The scheme has only been introduced in roads where a majority responded in favour of the new controls.

The council surveyed every address in the area, then carried out careful consultation as the scheme developed through several stages, to ensure that residents and the general public contributed to the design.

The final scheme being implemented followed extensive public consultation and feedback over several years in order to seek the views of residents and traders. As a result, the council amended the scheme several times, including more visitor bays and took on road safety concerns along the Uxbridge Road as well as excluding two roads where a majority of residents said no.

Parking will be available in permit parking bays and was carefully designed using feedback from the consultations. Short-stay ‘Pay By Plate’ - with the first hour free (where you register your car number plate at a parking payment machine) - parking bays are available for shoppers and other visitors.

Permits will be available to residents, their visitors, businesses and other people with a legitimate need to park near local addresses.

The Controlled Parking Zone is planned to start operating from 9 December 2024, subject to any changes in national guidance and legislation.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Lead Member for General Public Services, said: “This new scheme will help people at local addresses to find parking spaces more easily during the day and increase the turnover of parking for shoppers and visitors to the various shops and services in the area.

“By prioritising parking for people who need it most, preventing all-day parking in residential roads by non-residents, we are also improving the experience and safety for people travelling locally, whether walking, cycling or driving, providing more space to manoeuvre and better visibility at road junctions.”

Notes:

● More information can be found at: https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/parking-consultations

● This new Controlled Parking Zone and the layout of parking bays and waiting restrictions is shown in the detailed plan