Pavement Parking in Brill

The problem

More cars, bigger cars, 2-3 car households the norm - all squeezed into a village built on a medieval footprint. Add genuine concerns about the passage of fire engines (and, regrettably, the occasional large lorry) and it’s no wonder that many residents are forced to park with two wheels on the pavement.

We have to say that on the whole in Brill, pavement parking is executed with consideration; motorists avoid junctions and abusing narrow pavements - but here’s what could happen if things get out of hand:

• children (and others) unable to see to cross safely

• wheelchair users trapped; no way forward, no room to turn, dropped kerbs blocked

• buggy pushers forced out into passing traffic

• damage to kerbs and pavement causing subsequent expense, trips and injury

Can we stop it?

Not by legal means - at least not routinely in England outside of London (where pavement parking is an offence subject to hefty fines).

The Highway Code (Rule 244) states that motorists “should not [park on pavements] unless signs permit it”; advice rather than command. However, Rule 242 says: "You must not leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road". Given that pavements are considered part of the highway/road, this means that if your pavement parked car is judged by a police officer to be either in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction you could receive a fixed penalty notice.

Sledgehammers and nuts come to mind.

So, what to do?

All we can realistically do is appeal to residents to continue to park carefully - and to ask yourself these questions before locking up and walking away:

1. Is there any chance at all I could park on my property? If I’m a weekend visitor, could I use the windmill car park?

2. Am I blocking sight lines for pedestrians at a busy crossing place? Am I making it difficult for motorists to leave their properties by crowding their access?

3. Have I left enough pavement for two wheelchairs or buggies to pass (minimum 1.5 metres) - or is there sufficient space within 5-6 metres where they could safely manoeuvre?

THANK YOU!

EV Charging Points in Brill

Two electric vehicle charge points will be installed in the car park behind Brill Memorial Hall during the summer. This is part of a wider Buckinghamshire Council project. Just two spaces will be reserved initially for electric cars but, since each point can charge two cars, two more spaces could be reserved in the future when electric vehicles become more common. 

We all know that the Memorial Hall car park is badly in need of repair. The current Parish Council has set aside some funding to support the renovation but nothing can be done at the moment as the surveyors have not yet decided where to run the cables. 

A beautiful village - but not designed for cars!

Brill is a beautiful village, but it was not designed for cars. There is limited parking and a few inconsiderate people cause problems for others, at the Windmill Street – High Street junction in particular.

The Parish Council is looking at how to improve the situation. The first step is encouraging more people to use the car park behind the Memorial Hall. The car park is not obvious to visitors, so we are improving the signs, testing them one-by-one to make sure that they do not impact users of the Memorial Hall badly. The plan is to install a sign on the lamppost opposite the hall so there are directions to the car park from Thame Road – this should happen early next year. We are also applying to replace the temporary traffic cones outside the Memorial Hall with bollards.

There is no easy solution to the Windmill Street – High Street junction, a popular place for pulling in as it is near both the village shops. If everyone followed the Highway Code, it would not be a problem as the junction would be kept clear, but sadly that does not happen and there is a risk of accidents as cars block the view along the High Street.

Options include painting double-yellow lines on the road or adding bollards, but neither option is straightforward; we must comply with highways regulations and there must be formal consultations. The Parish Council is in discussion with Buckinghamshire Council to find a solution but it is a lengthy process and it will take many months. In the meantime, please don’t park at the Windmill Street – High Street junction.

Cllr Steven Judge