Thessaly Road / Stewart’s Road Area Parking Consultation

Overview

The Council has listened to local concerns about the parking conditions on the highway roads between Thessaly Road and Stewart’s Road, SW8, bordered by Wandsworth Road to the south and Battersea Park Road to the north. In several locations it is heavily parked on both sides of the road, causing local congestion, traffic flow problems and making it difficult to find a vacant parking place.  

Currently there are no Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) restrictions operating on the highway roads in this area and there are indications that a significant proportion of the vehicles parked are non-residents (commuters/long-stay) who are able to park for free and without a time limit. There have been previous requests for parking controls from some local residents and their representatives, including a petition from the Savona Estate Residents Association in 2016. 

Parking demand in this area has increased significantly partly because of the construction activity associated with the regeneration of Nine Elms. This is predicted to further increase with the arrival in 2021 of the new Northern Line Extension stations at Battersea Power Station to the north and Nine Elms Station to the east. 

The CPZ proposal is part of a package of improvement works for Thessaly Road, including Yinka Ilori’s bridge art project and suggested improvements to the highway which we will be consulting on later this year. 

Whilst many residents have off-street parking within the estate parking areas, there are some local residents who may not have an alternative to parking on the street. Even those with off-street parking could be affected by the traffic and parking conditions on the highway.

Due to the exceptional circumstances of two new Tube stations opening in the local area, the Council’s Strategic Planning and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee supported the proposal for a public consultation with local residents and businesses on the possible introduction of a CPZ in this area. The Council’s Executive subsequently approved the proposals at the Strategic Planning and Transportation Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 14 November, 2018, Paper No. 18-404, and you now have the opportunity to let us know your views.

The aim of a CPZ is to prioritise parking for residents and businesses by deterring commuter and other long-stay parking by non-residents and to have a positive effect on local parking and traffic conditions.

Details about costs and visitor permits can be found here.

Please note that a CPZ can only be introduced on ‘highway’ roads maintained at public expense. A CPZ cannot be introduced on streets which are not ‘highway’ or off-street parking bays and access roads associated with (current or former) Council housing properties/estates.

All new developments with 10 or more (and sometimes fewer) residential units are automatically excluded from new or existing CPZs meaning that occupiers of developments approved since 2003 with 10 or more residential units would be unable to obtain parking permits should a CPZ be introduced in this area. It is the developer, marketing agent, landlord or your solicitor’s responsibility to ensure that you are aware of any restriction or other conditions associated with the property when you buy or rent a property.

What happens next

The responses to this consultation will be analysed over the whole area as well as on a street by street basis meaning that a CPZ could be introduced over the whole area (highway roads) if widely supported, or in some streets and not others, if appropriate.

The Council would like to demonstrate that any measures have the support of local residents, so a good response is important. It is also important that we receive your views even if you do not own a vehicle, as parking controls would affect your visitors.

However, the final decision will not be based on residents’ views alone. A report will be presented to a future meeting of the Strategic Planning and Transportation Overview and Scrutiny Committee taking into account all relevant highway factors and subsequently to the Council’s Executive for approval.

Have your say

You can access the online survey below, but if you would like a paper copy, please contact us at consult@wandsworth.gov.uk

Please ensure we have received your responses by Tuesday 7 May 2019.