03-07-2014: City of Johannesburg puts in place comprehensive parking management plan for Parkhurst
The JMPD has instructed Ace Parking to terminate the management of paid parking on 4th Avenue Parkhurst.
This comes after the Mayoral Committee in February this year agreed on a comprehensive parking management approach and plan for small nodes to be implemented in partnership with relevant local stakeholders. The Mayoral Committee made the decision based on a parking management study of 25 small nodes across the City done by the Transport Department.
Since then several consultative meetings have been held between Parkhurst stakeholders and various City Departments co-ordinated by the Transport Department and a comprehensive plan to improve the parking management of the area was developed.
Stakeholders acknowledged that the key problem in the area was the lack of sufficient parking spaces especially in the evenings and over weekends but that paid parking was not required during the day. They also acknowledged that more could be done to protect the available sidewalk for pedestrians and prevent illegal parking.
Thus the solutions agreed with Parkhurst stakeholders were three fold. Firstly to supply and install bollards to protect the available sidewalk space as well as to supply and install wheel chair ramps to enable universal access. This will be implemented in the next two months by the City.
Secondly, to investigate and secure park and ride sites within Parkhurst to alleviate parking problems along 4th Avenue and provide long-term parking areas. To this end with the support of the ward councillor a survey was conducted and shuttle services to ferry motorists from park and rides to 4th Avenue are being investigated. The Transport Department is currently in discussions with the Joburg Property Company regarding the use of the identified Park and Ride sites.
Thirdly, to end the regulation of day time paid parking along 4th Avenue.
The City of Johannesburg partnered with local businesses and residents to engage and arrive at these critical decisions for an improved environment and economy in the Parkhurst area. And the partnership is set to continue to address the problems of parking at nights and weekends.
Arising out of above mentioned study and Mayoral Committee decision, similar partnerships are being or will be built in other areas. In some areas a parking management system together with enforcement measures will be the appropriate solution to address issues such as:
· Efficient use of parking facilities where traffic congestion exists and in creating better use of available space;
· Reduction of congestion within areas close to business activity or areas where parking spots are always overcrowded; and
· Facilitation of free movement of communities at public spaces.
This development clearly demonstrates the fact that Johannesburg is a caring City which takes conscious actions by being supportive and caring, whilst building sustainable communities and attending to the needs of its residents.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the City of Johannesburg
Ms Lisa Seftel Executive Director for Transport in Johannesburg
By
Virgil James
Communications Specialist
City of Joburg
082 467 9415
