Residents are experiencing severe parking pressure that is creating safety and accessibility issues. Allowing flexible off-street parking solutions could reduce pavement parking, improve safety and accessibility, and would not require public funding. Other London boroughs have adopted similar approaches, and Kingston should review whether its policy remains appropriate.

Many of our local streets were built decades ago without driveways or adequate off-street parking, when homes typically had one car. Today, households have 1-2 vehicles & rely heavily on street parking, but there are far more cars than spaces available. The addition of Infill developments has expanded homes in the area, but no parking provisions have been updated. A significant Planning oversight.

This has led to:

• Widespread pavement parking
• Roads reduced to single-lane traffic & congestion
• Blocked pedestrian routes
• Accessibility barriers for wheelchair users, elderly residents and families with pushchairs
• Illegal parking & fines ( that could be avoided)

At the same time, new developments and proposed local facilities are increasing parking demand in an area already under pressure.

The Council has already identified congestion and safety concerns in this area. Residents are asking that policy solutions also consider practical ways to reduce parking pressure.

Kingston’s Vehicle Crossover (Dropped Kerb) Policy currently requires a minimum parking depth(4.5m), which many properties cannot meet, even when they could safely accommodate smaller vehicles without obstructing the pavement. There are many Crossovers that are historic and smaller than the current policy depth, but are not creating safety issues.

Other London boroughs have adopted more flexible approaches, allowing:

1. Angled or horizontal parking layouts (2.5m D x 5m W)
2. Smaller parking spaces for small vehicles ( 3.5m D)
3. Legal restrictions on vehicle size
4. Case-by-case assessments in high-pressure areas
5. Additional flexibility for disabled residents and/ or blue badge holders

Importantly, this would cost the Council nothing, as residents already pay all application and construction costs for dropped kerbs.

We are asking Kingston Council to:

Review and modernise its Vehicle Crossover Policy, as many other London Boroughs have ( Redbridge, Enfield, Hillingdon, Waltham Forest) -  so that it can respond flexibly to real parking pressures on residential streets.

We are not asking the Council to approve unsafe crossovers. We are asking the Council to review whether the current policy is too rigid and whether more flexible approaches used by other London boroughs could improve safety, accessibility and parking management in Kingston.

A smarter policy would:

• Improve pedestrian safety
• Reduce pavement parking
• Support elderly and disabled residents
• Improve traffic flow
• Allow residents to invest in off-street parking solutions

Kingston should adopt practical policies that reflect how people actually live on its streets.

If this petition creates 500+ signatures,  it urges the Kingston Council to hold a formal debate on the matter.

Sign this petition to support a thorough review of the Dropped Kerb Policy and advocate for improved parking, highways and footpath solutions in Southborough. Together, we can drive change and create a safer, more accessible community.

 

WhatsApp Group 

Example London Borough Hillingdon policy 

Verona Drive proposed double yellow lines, reducing parking that will only congest other roads further 

3G Pitch proposal, increasing traffic and parking needs