Lacock Resident’s Parking Scheme

Parking in the centre of Lacock Village.

An increasing number of visitors parking in the village can make it challenging for residents wishing to park near their homes. Excessive parking can also lead to increased congestion, and in some cases damage to Residents’ vehicles.

One solution to this issue is to introduce a residents parking scheme for “on street” parking throughout the centre of the village; see area outlined in red on the map below. Such a scheme will prohibit visitors from parking in the residents parking zone unless they have prior permission from a scheme sponsor (a resident or business in the village): this could be implemented if sufficient support is forthcoming.

The Parish Council, supported by the National Trust, are seeking to address wider Parish traffic and pedestrian safety. A Resident’s Parking Scheme is one potential initiative; we need the views of Residents, and Community stakeholders on the introduction of such a scheme. If there is sufficient support and evidence to justify such a scheme, then the Parish Council can develop a full proposal engaging further with Wiltshire Council and scheme operators to deliver the best solution.

An early draft proposal for a Resident’s Parking Scheme has been prepared to inform this consultation, a Question and Answer Sheet is enclosed.

A questionnaire has also been prepared to collect information and measure the support for a Parking Scheme. The questionnaire was closed to responses on 26th July 2024. All the data will now be collated into summary information to assist Lacock Parish Council in any scheme development, and this summary information will be available via the Lacock Parish Council website.

The survey was distributed to 98 addresses within the proposed residents parking area. The questionnaire was also made available online for wider comment. The response recieved in support of the scheme was as follows:
• Total number of responses – 171
• Total in support – 40 (23% of respondents)
• Responses from proposed area – 62
• Responses in support from proposed area – 28 (45% of respondents)

With support of 45% from 63% residents responding, it is clear that the majority of stakeholders within the proposed area do not support a residents parking scheme.

Secondary Analysis

The responses revealed other additional data that may inform future traffic initiatives. For example:
• Number of commercial vehicles parked in the village during the day – 20
• Number of off road private parking facilities – 23
• Total number of vehicles parked on road during the day – 198
• Number of vehicles parked overnight – 83.

Many of the responders had taken the time to write, in some cases significant, comments about what other considerations should be taken into account. These included;
• concern over the cost to residents (16);
• if they would have to pay to drop off/pick up school children (24);
• if they would have to pay to visit the shops (15); and
• the effect of a RPS on businesses (39).

Conclusions

The primary objective for the questionnaire was to gauge the feeling of stakeholders about a residents parking scheme in the village. It is clear that based on the information given there is not enough support to implement
such a scheme.