Ban on coach parking appears to be working

The Vauxhall Gardens Estate, 1pm, Saturday 28 August.

What is unusual about these photos? There is not a coach to be seen.

Residents who in the past have been plagued by lines of coaches parked bumper to bumper will be delighted that the ban on coach parking, introduced this May, appears to be working.

After a shaky start, when residents and councillors had to chase council officers several times about the enforcement of the ban, it now appears to have had an effect.

We can't afford to be complacent, and councillors will be keeping a close eye on the situation to ensure enforcement of the ban continues and the problem does not return.

Find out about plans to ban coaches

After extensive pressure from councillors, council staff have come up with a proposal that would stop coaches from parking on residential streets, including those around Vauxhall Gardens.

The officers will be presenting their ideas at the Vauxhall Gardens Estate Residents' Association Annual General Meeting on Thursday 19 November. The meeting will take place at the Vauxhall Gardens Community Centre on Vauxhall Walk.

VGERTA residents: the meeting starts at 7pm.
Non VGERTA residents: coach parking will be discussed at 8pm - you are very welcome to come along for this part of the meeting.

Coach parking problem continues

The problem of coach parking on the streets of the Vauxhall was highlighted this weekend, when dozens of coaches lined both sides of Tyers Street, making it virtually impassable.

At the Full Council meeting on Wednesday 8 July Prince's ward Councillor Mark Harrison asked what progress had been made towards banning coaches from the estate's streets.

The answer was as follows:

Transport and Highways officers are currently exploring options for banning coach parking in the streets around Vauxhall Gardens. One option under consideration is that of extending the Controlled Parking Zone operating hours to include Sundays when coach parking is a particular problem in the area. It is anticipated that proposals will be taken to consultation with the local residential and business community and coach operators in October or November 2009 with a view to implementation in the early months of 2010.

Councillor Sally Prentice, Lambeth Cabinet Member for the Environment, followed up this answer with a commitment to look at options that simply banned coaches, without affecting the ability of residents' visitors to park on the streets at weekend. She promised to work hard to find a resolution to this long-running problem.

Mark campaigns to ban coaches from Vauxhall Gardens

For the past couple of years Mark Harrison has been attending meetings of the Vauxhall Gardens Estate Residents’ & Tenants’ Association. One issue that has come up time and time again at meetings is the problem of coaches parking on local streets at the weekend.

On Saturdays and Sundays Vauxhall Walk, Glasshouse Walk, and Tyers Street are lined with coaches - belching fumes, creating noise, blocking light, and obstructing access to the playground and park. Mark commented 'It’s high time the Council takes action and bans the coaches from our streets'.

Mark has already spoken to senior councillors and they agree that residents have a good case. We need to keep the pressure on, and VGETRA (the residents’ association) have started a petition. Mark is helping out by taking the petition around the estate, and writing to local residents with a form that allows them to add their names to the petition.

If you would like to add your name to the petition please email markh@lambethlabour.com