Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) Harton, South Shields

Results updated 13 Aug 2025

Here are the key findings and considerations following the consultation:

Responses and Opinions

• Total responses: 39 (all from residents)
• Support for the scheme: twenty residents (51%) believed it would have a positive impact. Opposed: sixteen residents (41%) felt it would not improve the situation. Undecided: three persons (8%) were unsure.
• Belgrave Gardens two responses. Yes 0 0.00% No 2 100.00%

Lisle Road twenty-one responses. Yes 11 52.38% No 9 42.86%

St Marys Avenue thirteen responses. Yes 7 53.85% No 4 30.77%

School Approach three responses. Yes 2 66.67% No 1 33.33%

Issues Raised

• Proximity to the School matters: Residents closest to the school reported the most significant issues, including non-residents blocking driveways.
• Mixed views among neighbours: Some residents at the far end of affected streets expressed little sympathy, suggesting “buyer beware” when purchasing near a school.
• Vehicle ownership: A small number of households have no off-street parking but own one or more vehicles, which adds to the overall pressure on street parking.
• Belgrave Gardens concerns: Residents of Belgrave Gardens raised specific concerns about not being able to park near their homes due to dental practice staff and patients occupying spaces. Additionally, the recent conversion of the nearby church into a Masonic Lodge has meant that the former church car park is no longer available, placing further pressure on already congested streets.
• The current resident permit scheme on St Mary’s Avenue near the junction of Moor Lane East sells only two permits 14% usage. I know residents feel strongly about maintaining the scheme and I appreciate that people value peace and quiet and accessibility near their homes, but the data raises questions about wether the restrictions are proportionate to demand. From what have observed the main issue may be concerns about visitors to the local shops and pub parking on the street rather than a genuine need for resident only access. Meanwhile further down the street parking spaces are in high demand. Could / Should we issue permits to residents of the flats?

Wider Context

• The streets in this area are narrow and simply not designed to cope with current levels of car ownership.
• The conversion of homes into businesses (e.g. dental practices) has added to the demand for parking, while off-street options remain limited.
• A concentration of flats near the top end of St Marys Avenue creates high demand.
• Homes situated near key junctions without off street parking where occupants who own multiple vehicles.
• Residents unwilling to park away from their front door even in a designated permit bay.

Scheme Proposal and Resident Feedback

• We proposed that the CPZ would operate during morning and evening weekday hours (aligned with school drop-off and pick-up). But most residents disagreed, stating that problems occurred throughout the day and worsened in the evenings and weekends.
• Extending the enforcement hours would be challenging due to limited enforcement resources. Introducing wide sweeping restrictions without the ability to offer effective enforcement could lead to frustration and a rise in complaints if vehicles consistently disregard the restrictions without repercussion.
• Restrictions need to serve a clear purpose and need to be proportionate to the actual parking pressure. We also need to consider negative impact on the school and local businesses.

Additional Considerations

• No single solution will satisfy all residents.
• The school has enough land to create extra parking or even a drive-in, drive-out drop-off zone, but there is resistance from staff, despite sixth form students contributing to the problem by parking near the gates on Lisle Road and School Approach.
• Partial restrictions may simply push the problem into nearby streets.
• There may be merit in exploring targeted solutions, such as helping certain residents to create driveways where feasible or some verge hardening to create parking bays near top of School Approach.
• Many residents mentioned the financial implications of paying to park, especially those on low incomes or residents who have regular visitors such as family and carers.

Final Decision

• Only thirty-nine out of two-hundred and nineteen households responded (response rate of just under 18%) this is not a strong enough mandate to proceed. Of those who responded only 51% supported the proposal to introduce a CPZ. As per our criteria, we require at least a 60% response rate, and 60% of the responses must be in favour to move forward.

• Lilse Road at its junction with School Approach appears to be where issues regularly occur according to residents. Given the challenges we have encountered securing wider support for a CPZ around the school, it is time we consider a more localised practical approach that could bring targeted relief to the most affected areas.

• We could explore creating off street parking solutions for a small number of residents in key problem spots, particularly near junctions or areas where the school related traffic causes most congestion. This could involve converting or hardening verges to create parking bays or provide dropped kerbs and small driveways for a few households in strategic locations especially where parked cars create access issues. This would require CAF funding as Traffic & Road Safety have no budget to carry out such works.