Residents in Chester’s Garden Quarter to decide whether they should change their parking arrangements

Residents in Chester’s inner city Garden Quarter are using the next few weeks to decide whether they should change parking arrangements in their area.

The city centre ward councillors have succeeded in pressuring council leaders and officers to look at whether the current free-for-all parking regime in the Garden Quarter should be changed to a scheme prioritising residents.

Cllr Ben Walker, one of three borough councillors for Chester's City and the Garden Quarter ward, said:

"When we knocked doors in the run-up to our election in 2023 parking was a repeat feature of what Garden Quarter residents wanted to see sorted.

"Currently residents compete with commuters and visitors for a parking space outside their home.

"Many residents have reported that it's difficult to get a spot when they come home after their day at work, so much so it regularly comes up as a sore point in our ward surgeries.

"Appreciably, visitors to the city may want to avoid having to pay for parking. But when our residents suffer, it's not on.

"Following numerous public meetings we are pleased the council is giving our residents the opportunity to decide whether they want to keep things as they are, or to try something different."

Garden Quarter householders have until mid-November to decide whether they wish to move forward with a residents' parking permit scheme.

Residents with on-street parking are to be consulted on the future of parking in their area. In October letters were sent by the council asking them to fill out a form and send back thoughts on how best to improve the rules of the roads in the Quarter. 

Cllr Walker added:

"If a scheme were to come in we would want to look at improved waiting times to support our traders.

"Right now visitors on Garden Lane get a 30-minute wait. As councillors we want that extending to an hour - ditto on and around Catherine Street."

There are an estimated 900 car park spaces in the Garden Quarter and 1,300 households with on-street or adjacent parking. It is these households that are being consulted by the council.

According to the 2021 census an estimated 38 per cent of households in the Garden Quarter do not have a car; 41 per cent have one car or van; and 21 per cent have two or more.

Councillor Katrina Kerr said:

"I think it will have to be all or nothing for the Garden Quarter. If only certain streets go for a permit scheme there will be significant displacement.

"The Garden Quarter is the only Chester inner-city suburb with free on-street parking. More students are commuting in these days. Change is always happening.

"As councillors we have observed similar schemes in other areas of our ward, such as in Newtown near the railway station and parts of Boughton.

"These schemes establish priority for residents. And generally residents report few issues and there is good co-operation between neighbours.

"If you have friends living in areas in the city with residents' parking, have a chat with them."

Residents living in the Garden Quarter are being invited to send in their thoughts to the council's parking department via the details provided in the letter sent.

Cllr Paul Chamberlain said:

"Whether or not you are for or against the idea of a parking permit scheme, it is important you have your say with all the facts in front of you.

"The council has stipulated at least one in three households must vote for the scheme to fly or fail.

"And the scheme would come in at £80 a year per permit - that's £1.50 a week."

Residents who have mislaid their letter can contact the council's parking department on: 

parking@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk