Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee with data on car and trailer parking adjacent to the River Hamble, as requested at their meeting held on 3 April 2009.

2. Contextual information

2.1 At the Management Committee meeting held on 3 April 2009, the Marine

Director was asked to provide information on public car and trailer parking facilities adjacent to the River Hamble. Eastleigh and Fareham Borough Councils were requested to provide the necessary details. The information provided by Eastleigh Borough Council is at Annex A and that provided by Fareham Borough Council is at Annex B.

2.2 Facilities for car and trailer parking on both sides of the River Hamble are

stretched to the limit and beyond at peak times. Parking is important for many categories of user - local residents, business operators, ramblers, sight-seers, birdwatchers, dog-walkers, shoppers, deliveries, pub and restaurant clientele, as well as those who wish to go afloat on the River. At many times during the week, the latter category probably isn't even the largest user of parking facilities.

2.3 Of those who wish to get afloat, there are several sub-categories:

Club members

Mid-stream mooring holders

Marina berth holders (afloat or ashore)

Trailer-sailors and motor boaters

Non boat-owning crew/guests

Youths/cadets (with and without their own boat)

Canoeists and Kayakers

Dinghy sailors (including competitors in open events)

Sailing and motor boat school clients

2.4 Availability of parking for these groups often depends on time of arrival - the early bird catches the worm. Some park in private facilities (Clubs and marinas) whilst others rely entirely on public parking. Long term parking (more than seven days) for yachtsmen is a significant issue, particularly for those who rely on public car parks. Public transport is rarely appropriate for those going afloat - it is difficult to carry heavy equipment on public transport, and impossible to tow a boat - so cars will always be a necessary part of getting afloat. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that demand for car and trailer parking space is increasing, as more and more people aspire to get afloat, but supply is static or, in some places, reducing.

2.5 Efforts to seek improvements will depend on obtaining valid data about demand and capacity. This report is the first step towards obtaining the necessary data, but more will be needed to ensure that a fully informed debate can ensue. Advice from the Highways Department of Hampshire County Council is that this data could be obtained, but only by employing consultants at considerable cost.

3. Recommendation

3.1 It is recommended that this report should be noted

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

ANNEX A

Information provided by Eastleigh Borough Council

The attached plan shows the location of car parks in the vicinity of the waterfront in Hamble. It includes public car parks and private car parks which have restricted access. The public car parks consist of 65 spaces in the Square and 68 spaces on the Foreshore.

Note that the Donkey Derby Field is not a formal parking area and is only available for use up to 28 days a year. In addition, the car park at Hamble Parish Council's Roy Underdown Pavilion is generally unavailable during weekends due to its use by cricketers and footballers.  

There are no dedicated `trailer only' spaces in the Hamble area.

There are parking charges in two of the car parks as follows:

The Square: first 30 minutes free, then 50p per hour up to a maximum 4 hours (8am - 8pm, 7 days)

Foreshore: 50p per hour up to a maximum 10 hours (8am - 8pm, 7 days)

There are also a number of marked on-street parking bays within a 5-10 minute walk of the quay. For short-stay parking they are as follows:

Satchell Lane: 13 spaces

Quayside road: 3 spaces

High Street: 7 spaces

For long stay/unrestricted parking there is:

Spitfire Way: 19 spaces

Copse Lane: 29 spaces

An application is currently being progressed to de-register a section of the village green to allow parking for up to 15 vehicles.

EBC employed a consultant to look at the parking situation in Hamble in 2006. The full report can be viewed at http://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/PDF/Hambleparking2006.pdf

ANNEX B

Information provided by Fareham Borough Council

The attached plan shows the location of car parks in the vicinity of Warsash Hard. It includes public car parks and private car parks which have restricted access. Most of the public highway network in the vicinity has either a prohibition of waiting at any time order or between 1^st April and 30 September

Public car parks are located at passage lane and Shore Road adjacent to the waterfront.  There is a small car park at Swanwick Hard near the A27.  Strawberry Fields is not a formal parking area although is used by the Warsash Sailing Club for special events. There is some private parking in Warsash centre near the clock-tower roundabout such as the Great Harry Public House car park, and outside the shops in Shore Road.  There is little on street parking in summer months although a few extra spaces are available in winter months along Shore Road.

Trailer parking is only permitted in designated places in Passage Lane car park and the number spaces available is limited.  There are three designated areas for trailers, two of which will hold up to two trailers each and the third on a trial basis using a grass strip may hold up to 14 trailers.

There are no charges in the car parks but they are time limited, as shown in the following table:-