Rutland agrees new parking strategy to tackle school run congestion
Cabinet members unanimously back plan shaped by public consultation
A revised parking strategy for Rutland has been agreed by the county council's cabinet following input from the public.
The policy, titled Rutland Parking Strategy 2026, sets out how the council will respond to pressures on parking provision and infrastructure across the county, including future demand and accessibility needs.
Cabinet members approved the document at a meeting on Tuesday 12th October.
Speaking at the meeting, transport member Councillor Oliver Hemsley, who is independent, said 80 per cent of 213 respondents agreed with the council's strategic vision during the public consultation.
"I support the strategy as it will allow decision making to reflect the longer term needs of our communities," Councillor Hemsley said.
"We have a duty to provide the users of our highways with safety. This document will help guide people to understand what can and cannot be done," he said.
The strategy commits to annually reviewing Rutland's parking provision and upgrading signage to make it easier for drivers to find spaces.
It also commits the council to investigating park and ride opportunities "when suitable land becomes available".
Councillor Tim Smith, a Liberal Democrat who holds the council's portfolio for children and families, raised the issue of parking near schools during the meeting.
During the public consultation, 69 per cent of respondents said school parking was either a major or moderate problem.
Councillor Smith described congestion around his own village at pick-up and drop-off times as "chaos".
Under the new strategy, all new school developments will be required to include a travel strategy with any planning application.
Schools will also be expected to engage with their local communities to promote active transport methods, in order to ease congestion around existing sites, according to the policy.
Where the council identifies a significant problem, it says it will support schools with a package of measures, including "park and stride" endorsement, active travel promotion, clearer road markings and a review of parking restrictions.
Rutland Parking Strategy 2026 was approved by the cabinet with unanimous support.