Chesham: Parking restriction changes as double yellows and pedestrian zone to be axed

Parking and traffic restrictions in Chesham have been changed, meaning that double yellow lines and pedestrian zones are being axed.

Buckinghamshire Council said it had introduced the changes to ‘resolve and improve parking’ in the town centre.

The unitary authority is introducing or amending restrictions to allow non-goods vehicles to park up for deliveries and collections during certain hours.

The changes have been introduced under an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO), which is effective from October 21, 2024, and can be kept in place for up to 18 months.

Residents are being asked for their views on the amendments in a consultation ending on April 25, after which the council will consider whether they should be made permanent.

The project has been ‘years in the making’, according to councillor Jane MacBean, who represents the Chiltern Ridges ward.

In a statement, she said: “The entire high street and Market Square are no access to any vehicles unless vans loading and unloading.

“This has been consistently ignored and numerous residents and businesses have asked for proper policing and enforcement for several years.”

The Conservative councillor argued that automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and the ETRO were the way to police the existing highways laws.

Cllr MacBean added: “Special provision is being made to accommodate market traders, residents and businesses on the High Street and voluntary groups participating in community and fundraising events.”

Among the council’s changes is the revocation of the pedestrian zone on The Broadway, which is set to be replaced with a bus and cycle lane, as well as a one-way restriction.

The council has said it will revoke the double yellow lines in the street outside Nationwide at number 75 and will instead replace these with a loading bay to be used from 10am to 4pm.

The council is also scrapping the pedestrian zone between the High Street, Church Street, and Market Square.

This will be replaced with a pedestrian zone and no motor vehicles area except for permit holders and loading.

The one-way system between High Street, Church Street, and Market Square is also being revoked.

The council says the changes are a result of concerns raised by local businesses and local members and will allow ‘more flexibility’ for local businesses, while also increasing safety for pedestrians.

Resident Jamie Pile told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he opposed the idea of opening the Broadway up to general traffic again and questioned the council’s motives for the changes.

He said: “The only reason I can think of is the assumption that only people who want something in the High Street will drive that way but that simply won’t be the case, some will go that way as an attempted short cut and others will go round which will just create even worse traffic at the filter points.”

Meanwhile, Chesham businessman Alex Morgan, said: “Traffic chaos is back. In their infinite wisdom, it looks a lot like Bucks Council is reopening the Market Square to traffic and making any events on the High Street an awful lot more expensive.”

For more information about the changes, including permit charges and how to have your say on them, see use the following link: shorturl.at/MQ8pI