On the 29th of October Mayor Parks Tau visited Parkhurst to start a public consultation process regarding parking management of small nodes in the city.
The morning started off with a presentation ‘Creating vibrant small nodes’ (you can read the presentation by clicking on the link). In short the presentation talked about, among other things, reduced car use i.e better public transport access and the encouragement of walking and biking by means of wider sidewalks and the additional bike lanes.
It was acknowledged that the paid parking system in Parkhurst needed a new approach with an active partnership with residents. Parking needs to accessible, safe and attractive. There are 3 public spaces in the residential and commercial areas of a node: the sidewalk which should be 3 meters wide, the parking zone for short term parking and law enforced long term of street parking and the last one being the road.
The vision of the City for these small nodes is that they respect their surroundings, to create a sought after pedestrian high street with unique features specific to each node and to have them properly law enforced.
The Mayor himself noted in his public address after the presentation, that the residents need to be protected by limiting the economic encroachment on the residential area.
Public comments followed the presentation and were well represented by both the businesses and residents of Parkhurst.
See below a summarised view of the public comments made:
• From a business perspective the proposed ‘park-and walk’ facilities from Pirates Sports Club will not encourage trading for certain businesses like the butchery and short term parking needs to be accessible and free for the clients of these type of businesses
• People with disabilities and parents with prams should have clear access of 1,5 meters of sidewalk as well as sufficient ramps to access sidewalks.
• Public transport and access to them should be upgraded.
• Proper law enforcement should include the re-integration of residential sidewalks back to the public sphere so that the public need not have to walk in the road which is dangerous.
• Residents of Parkhurst should have special access (through the means of a sticker program?) to make use of short term parking when visiting local shops like the chemist, butcher etc.
• Some shops have noted a 50% drop in business since the implementation of paid parking.
• JMPD only provides law enforcement towards people who refuse to pay for parking and does this through intimidation. No law enforcement on illegal parking on stop streets or traffic circles.
• Retail and business development should be limited and the heritage report and
SDF should be consulted to retain and reflect the nature and character of Parkhurst and to preserve it.
• New developments are adding the parking problem and congestion of the residential street.
• A paid parking system would work better at easing road and parking congestion if implemented after 4pm on weekdays and throughout weekends as this is when the masses flock to restaurants.
PRABOA has sent commentary on proposed solutions to the parking situation in Parkhurst. Residents should forward their suggestions to the city regarding this matter to Stanleyc@joburg.org.za
From Parkhurst Village: http://www.parkhurstvillage.com/