Background
In 2022, Broxbourne Borough Council commissioned Project Centre to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to assess parking pressures in key areas of the borough as well as recommend potential solutions on how these can be alleviated. With significant residential and commercial developments underway, understanding current and future parking needs became critical. The study focused on four major train stations, eleven schools and a central town area, aiming to provide data-driven recommendations to alleviate parking stress.
Process
Extensive parking surveys
The methodology involved extensive parking beat surveys conducted between September and October 2022. Project Centre executed these surveys across Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Theobalds Grove and Waltham Cross areas. The process included:
- Identifying high-demand areas: Targeting locations such as train stations, schools and town centres known for high parking demand.
- Data collection: Monitoring available kerb space and parked vehicles to calculate parking stress, defined as the ratio of parked cars to available safe parking spaces.
Analytical approach
Using the data collected, Project Centre analysed the parking pressures, comparing current usage with capacity. The analysis provided insights into:
- Current parking stress levels: Establishing a baseline for existing parking demand and stress across the surveyed areas.
- Future projections: Forecasting future vehicle ownership and its impact on parking demand due to ongoing developments in the borough.
Stakeholder engagement and recommendations
Stakeholder engagement was pivotal to ensuring the feasibility study addressed community needs and concerns. Key steps included:
- Consultations with Broxbourne Borough Council: Regular updates and feedback sessions to align study objectives and outcomes with council goals.
- Data-driven recommendations: Based on survey results, recommendations were made to implement Permit Parking Areas (PPAs), Restricted Parking Areas (RPAs), and School Street schemes to manage parking demand effectively.
Outcome
Identifying high-stress areas
The study revealed significant parking stress in several key areas:
- High-stress locations: Areas such as Waltham Cross showed parking stress levels as high as 89%, indicating severe demand pressures.
- Schools: Eleven schools, including Goffs Oak Primary and Burleigh Primary, had stress levels exceeding 90%, necessitating targeted interventions.
- Train stations: High stress around train stations highlighted the need for controlled parking measures to manage commuter demand.
Strategic recommendations
Project Centre’s recommendations included:
- Permit Parking Areas (PPAs): Suggested for high-stress areas around train stations to manage residential and commuter parking.
- School Street schemes: Proposed for eight schools with high parking stress, aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion during peak times.
- Traffic flow improvements: Recommendations to address traffic congestion issues, particularly on Newgate Street Road in Goffs Oak, where parking occupancy was lower but traffic flow needed optimisation.
Nichola Needs, Communications Manager, from Broxbourne Borough Council commended the team, stating, “The team at Project Centre worked closely with us to understand our needs and advised as appropriate. The work that has been completed is of a high standard and has provided valuable evidence of the issues facing the Borough. The team are friendly and knowledgeable and was available throughout the process for guidance.”
Future-proofing parking management
The feasibility study also forecasted a significant increase in vehicle ownership by 2031, with parking stress expected to rise from 53% in 2022 to 67% by 2032. To address this, Project Centre recommended:
- Long-term planning: Implementing measures that would not only alleviate current pressures but also accommodate future demand.
- Regular monitoring and adjustments: Ongoing assessments and adjustments to parking controls to ensure their continued effectiveness as the borough develops.
Conclusion
The Broxbourne Feasibility Study conducted by Project Centre provides a clear and actionable plan to manage parking stress in a rapidly developing borough. By combining detailed data analysis with strategic recommendations, the study equips Broxbourne Borough Council with the insights needed to implement effective parking solutions. This proactive approach ensures that the borough can accommodate future growth while maintaining a high quality of life for residents and visitors.
The Council has accepted all our recommendations and is in the process of implementing the initial recommendation of a residents parking area in the roads around Cheshunt train station which is currently being put forward to the rest of the Council for consideration.
