The Council has received comments from a number of members of the public regarding concerns about pedestrian safety in Little Dockray due to cars driving down to park with a disabled parking disk or using it as a short cut.
At the present time Little Dockray is not fully pedestrianised but a pedestrian only zone between 10am and 4pm, except for loading and disabled persons.
The block paved street has no markings indicating the difference between a pavement area or road and no markings for disabled parking bays and loading and unloading vehicles leading to vehicles parked on both sides and even just stopping in the middle of the street.
The town council planning committee said some vehicles have also been observed using the road as shortcut between Middlegate and Cornmarket.
Two cafes on Little Dockray also have pavement licences, one on each side, along with the Loose Moose pub allowing their customers to sit outside.
The councillors were told by council officers “This adds to the vibrancy of the area and is supported by the other retailers as it brings added footfall, however it adds another complication.”
The town council said “All the retailers had concerns about traffic using the route as a through road, the speed of traffic on occasions and the way that those with Blue Badges left their cars, often blocking doorways, shop windows and outside displays.”
Alongside the commercial properties Little Dockray has some residential properties on the second floor of properties with more coming due to the conversion of the second and third floors of another property. Council officers said “On occasions, residents have parked overnight in Little Dockray and cars have not been moved prior to retailers opening. It was strongly felt that this should not be used for residential parking.”
A spokesperson for EvolvePenrith attended the meeting and said “Evolve Penrith has looked at Little Dockray in the past as part of a wider look a the town and engaged with the former county council over proposals we put forward to create a clear active travel route through the town without impacting on the traffic flow in Penrith.”
“Little Dockray as a vehicle free area in the town centre could become a beneficial outdoor space along with a café culture space that could help boost footfall in the town centre. The current surface is unsafe many of the blocks cracked, loose, uneven and some missing and provides neither a safe walking or vehicle surface.”
The group said it had proposed to the former county council using Little Dockray as a pedestrian route linking via a raided crossing point at the Cornmarket end linking to angel square and New Squares creating a clear pedestrian friendly route through the town and linking up all the towns retail areas.”
Councillors said that there was ample parking for all including disabled provision on Cornmarket and Devonshire Street. Penrith Mayor Councillor Dough Lawson agreed and said “Something needs to change”
Chair of the town council planning committee Councillor Scott Jackson said “a problem had been identified which had been caused by inconsiderate drivers, but he did not think it appropriate to stop loading and unloading”.
Councillor Charlie Shepherd proposed that the town council request the Westmorland and Furness Council look to implement a TRO to restrict vehicle access into Little Dockray with the exception of loading and unloading between 8am and 10am along with improved signage.
The town council planning committee approved the motion unanimously.
Speaking with Penrith.Town following Mondays meeting Councillor Jackson said “Members of Penrith Town Council were asked to look at concerns with traffic and parking in Little Dockray. It had been observed that vehicles were using it as a shortcut and sometimes parked cars were blocking access to premises on the street, both residential and business. As the only parking allowed on Little Dockray (other than deliveries) is disabled badge parking it was thought this could be better managed. One possibility may be accommodating disabled badge holders elsewhere but that is not to say that Highways might not decide to add formal disabled bays to the street. The Town Council are writing to Westmorland & Furness asking them to look at the issue and we await their much more expert opinion! Hopefully the best solution, that recognises that there are ongoing concerns, can be reached.”
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