Highways, Parking and the Parish Council
Parish Councils have no statutory powers to implement parking schemes themselves. Instead, they must work with higher local authorities and agencies to introduce traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings, curbs on speed limits and residential parking schemes. Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council (SMPC) welcomes suggestions at its meetings from residents to improve the safety of our roads. After assessing the merit of a suggestion, the Parish Council may submit proposals to the relevant highway authorities for their consideration. The process to get a scheme adopted can be lengthy, and it is not uncommon for the Parish Council to have to resubmit proposals. In recent years, with budgets under strain, strict conditions have been introduced by highway bodies to filter proposals and ensure only the most urgent and necessary ones are implemented.
The North Essex Parking Partnership
The NEPP is a council-run organisation, led by Colchester City Council, which brings together all street-based parking services like residential parking permits in North Essex, including Uttlesford. Significantly for Stansted Mountfitchet, NEPP is the body the Parish Council works with to resolve issues such as off-street parking and improving pedestrian safety. In September 2022 the NEPP informed the Parish Council that any scheme submitted would need 75% support of residents. The Parish Council is currently seeking clarification on this point given the high bar it sets for the approval of, for example, waiting restriction schemes. There are no guidelines on which members of the community must be consulted.
Local Highway Panel Uttlesford
The LHP is responsible for making recommendations and setting priorities for highway schemes. The panel for our district has four members, each a County Councillor, with District and Essex County Councillor Ray Gooding representing Stansted. Applications for dropped kerbs, road signs and markings, pedestrian and zebra crossings and speed restrictions are all made to the LHP.
Stansted Airport
If you are concerned about fly parking in your area and believe that it is due to people who are using Stansted Airport, you can report the issue to the Stansted Area Transport Forum. The Highways Working Group of the Stansted Area Transport Forum reviews data submitted to it by members of the public. Should an area be identified as being significantly impacted by airport-related parking, funding is available to implement no waiting restrictions, residents’ parking schemes, or the erection of No Airport Parking signs. Please note that whilst the Forum may fund the initial set-up costs of parking schemes, they do not meet the on-going annual cost to residents of the permits.
Highways Issues and Proposals
Below is a round-up of areas of Stansted Mountfitchet where proposals to the local highways bodies have been submitted along with dates when actions were taken.
Bentfield Road
December 2022 An application to NEPP was made for double yellow/red lines along Bentfield Road from the B1383 to the junction with Bentfield Causeway. This was made in response to complaints by residents in the area about on-street parking on this narrow section of road and its impact on road safety. NEPP said we had to undertake a consultation which we did via The Link magazine. Results submitted to NEPP in April 2023 but they rejected the proposal.
October 2023 A request was made for a feasibility study into a ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme near Bentfield School.
Cambridge Road
June 2022 The SMPC’s submits an application for yellow lines to NEPP – failed.
September 2022 The design team at Essex Highways turned down SMPC’s proposed measures to improve traffic flows along Cambridge Road and to create a parking bay near the Wood Grill on the grounds of affordability.
December 2022 A proposal by SMPC is made to the Uttlesford Highways Panel to improve the surface of the footpath on Cambridge Road from Five Acres towards High Lane. Whilst this has not yet been done, it is possible that it will be improved as part of further development on the Walpole Meadows site.
September 2023 NEPP informs SMPC they have rejected the proposal for traffic calming measures along Cambridge Road. The NEPP also report that in future any schemes submitted to them must have 75% approval by affected residents and businesses to proceed. On this basis all of our applications were rejected, with the exception of a zebra crossing on Silver Street, close to Blythwood Gardens. This is expected to be delivered in the current year.
Car Parks
February 2024 Uttlesford District Cllr Geoffrey Sell reports long-stay parking is to remain at Crafton Green after earlier the District Council had proposed such parking to end there. They do, however, announce hikes to parking fees, the first in 8-9 years.
SMPC wrote to ask UDC to carry out a configuration and capacity survey at Lower Street car park now that Peacocks pharmacy has opened. District Councillor Neil Hargreaves (North Essex Parking Partnership) informs the Parish Council a capacity survey was carried out in 2022. He welcomed further comments and suggestions relating to the management of the car park. The Parish Council agreed to arrange a three-way meeting between SMPC, the adjacent landowner and the economic development manager at UDC.
The SMPC’s Highways sub-committee has suggested siting fast charging points in the Lower Street car park as well as at the JET petrol station on Cambridge Road. This was in response to UDC letter on the issue.
Chapel Hill
April 2022 Consultations by SMPC are held with residents on Chapel Hill regarding waiting restrictions. The no waiting restrictions were sought to alleviate the problem of parking pinch-points from houses numbers 54 and 55 to the fire station)
June 2022 The Parish Council makes an application to the NEPP for yellow lines
January 2022 A proposal by SMPC is put to the Uttlesford Highways Panel to fund a feasibility study for a ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme.
September 2022 NEPP informs SMPC they have rejected the proposal for no waiting restrictions and a ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme. The NEPP say any schemes submitted to them must have 75% approval by affected residents and businesses to proceed.
Church Road
December 2022 A proposal by SMPC is made to the Uttlesford Highways Panel to fund a feasibility study for a ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme.
An application is made to Essex Highways to use Section106 Highways money (contributed as a result of the Foresthall Park development) to improve the footpath along Church Road. The poor state of this footpath threatens the safety of school children and people with prams and young children.
February 2024 SMPC requests a viability study to be completed by the Local Highways Panel into resurfacing Church Road. This is because cars mount pavements to avoid the potholes, making the route dangerous for drivers and pedestrians.
SMPC to resubmit their proposal to remove the chicanes and replace them with speed cushions. This is not favoured by Essex Highways.
October 2023 The SMPC requests a feasibility study into a ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme along Church Road.
Foresthall Park
April 2022 The SMPC applies for no-waiting restrictions with red lines on corners of Foresthall Park (including Bentley Drive). This is to stop parked cars blocking sight lines of other road users and to prevent a dangerous narrowing of the road. Restrictions would, it is hoped, reduce the potential for accidents.
September 2022 In preparation for a community consultation into parking restrictions, a working group of three Parish Councillors & three residents was set up. The working group visited the estate twice in October. ‘No Airport Parking’ signs are erected funded by the airport but these carry no legal weight. Residents complain they are being ignored.
August 2023 750 leaflets were dropped across FHP asking residents how best to tackle airport parkers, speeding and dangerous parking. One hundred and sixty-two residents responded.
November 2023 An application was made for two Zebra Crossings along Walson Way to Uttlesford’s Local Highway Panel. This follows favorable responses to the idea in the June consultation.
April 2024 It’s announced a feasibility study for the Zebra crossings are underway.
February 2024 At the request of a resident, the SMPC requested a feasibility study by the Local Highways Panel for a new zebra crossing on Forest Hall Road near the entrance to the school. An application for the zebra crossing on Forest Hall Road was submitted to the ULHP, together with a letter of support from the Head at Forest Hall School.
Essex County Cllr Gooding said he was attempting to get Affinity Water to cover the cost of repair to Walson Way verges. The difficulty is, Walson Way was not part of the official diversion route when the B1383 was closed at the start of 2024. The verges had been long neglected by ECC, too.
An assessment is to be undertaken to assess the need for a pedestrian crossing along Forest Hall Road.
April 2024 Essex County Cllr Gooding reports the scheme for a pedestrian crossing near to Forest Hall School is in validation.
High Lane
December 2022 SMPC proposes to the Uttlesford Highways Panel to introduce traffic calming and crossing points to tackle speeding motorists
October 2023 A request was made for a feasibility study into a ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme along parts of High Lane.
December 2023 Essex County Cllr Ray Gooding reports ECC are cool on the idea of traffic calming. The problem is the Lane’s R2 status. The road would need R3 status. With this status pedestrian considerations would be prioritised over road users. But R3 status presents another problem for High Lane. The reclassification would see High Lane de-prioritised when it comes to road repairs.
February 2024 An application for two pedestrian crossings on High Lane made to ULHP has been superseded by the decision from planning for the development of 30 houses on Land East of High Lane. The developer will be required to provide the crossings.
June 2024 Essex Highways completes work to the footpaths near the B1383. Previously, the Parish Council sought these improvements with Section 106 money tied to the Bloor Homes development at Walpole Meadows. The Parish Council seeks similar improvements to footpaths near to Five Acres.
HGV Scheme
June 2022 ECC suggests the possibility of using weight restrictions, new signage & mobile speed cameras to control HGV traffic through Stansted Mountfitchet. Sat Nav companies are to be asked to suggest alternative routes other than via Stansted.
December 2022 Essex Highways raises the possibility of rerouting of HGV traffic around Stansted. Essex Highways are against the use of extra lights along Grove Hill. They believe this will only add to safety problems on this strip of road.
December 2023 ECC to meet with representatives from Stansted, Elsenham, Henham, Ugley & Takeley ahead of a consultation into the re-routing of HGV traffic via Hall Road. Essex Highways view the route as a costly alternative.
April 2024 Essex County Cllr Ray Gooding informs the SMPC the outcome of a survey of nearby communities into their support for the diversion of HGVs around Stansted is now with the Local Highways Panel. Cllr Gooding says the survey is believed to reveal there is little support for the scheme.
A final decision on this scheme is expected soon.
August 2024 A report by Essex Highways into the possible introduction of camera technology to curtail HGV traffic through Stansted Mountfitchet, and Grove Hill in particular, found little evidence to support the move. The report also stated moving lorries around the village would likely be challenged by nearby communities.
Gateway Markers
February 2024 Application by the SMPC for gateway markers at the entrance to the village (and village twinning signs) goes to the ULHP. The body has previously refused a request for markers. There is no news on the twinning signs.
Lower Street
June 2022 Application for yellow lines is made to the NEPP
September 2022 NEPP informs SMPC they have rejected the proposal for yellow lines. The NEPP report schemes submitted to them must have 75% approval by affected residents and businesses to proceed.
October 2023 The SMPC requests a feasibility study into a ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme along Lower Street.
Essex County Cllr Ray Gooding updated the Parish Council on efforts to improve the safety for the flood wardens near the culvert trash screen on Lower Street. The North Essex Parking Partnership refused a Parish Council application to extend the yellow lines to keep this area free of cars.
Mountfitchet Green
August 2022 There were 225 replies to a public consultation into the possible introduction of parking permits to tackle on-street parking. Seventy-five percent support is required for the scheme to progress. The consultation revealed only 37.8% of residents backed proposals. NEPP turned down alternative resident proposals. Parish Councillors ratified residents’ decision not to proceed with a residents’ parking scheme.
September 2022 Red lines may still go on the corners of the estate’s roads to ensure safe passage of buses through the area
September 2023 The NEPP rejects the proposal for red lines on the estate
March 2024 The SMPC resubmits a proposal to convert the badly eroded grass verges into proper parking bays for residents on the Mountfitchet Estate.
April 2024 An application was made by SMPC for a viability study to the Local Highways Panel.
Silver Street
September 2022 At the start of 2022 SMPC applied for a Pelican Crossing near Blythwood Gardens. The Uttlesford Highways Panel instead decided on a zebra crossing. Work on its design is under way.
April 2024 Essex County Cllr Gooding reported the crossing on Silver Street has been designed. The SMPC awaits news confirming the crossing will be funded. If it does, then it should be in place in the next 12 months.
Spencer Close
June 2022 The SMPC applies to the NEPP for yellow lines
September 2023 NEPP rejects the proposal for yellow lines, citing the failure to meet the 75% approval requirement.
Village-wide Parking Scheme
June 2023 The SMPC’s Highways sub-committee is to look into funding options for a village-wise parking permit scheme after noting the Manchester Airport Group (owners of Stansted Airport) covered the costs of such a scheme in Takeley. Councillors worry a piecemeal implementation of permits could just push the problem around the village. Noted that the airport covered the design and installation costs of that scheme but they would not cover the annual costs of residents permits.
February 2024 SMPC has been asked by the district council to consider whether there are enough charging points in Stansted. In reply, the Highways sub-committee proposes siting fast charging points in the Lower Street car park.
Walpole Meadows
May 2023 Essex County Council prepares to implement a 20mph speed limit on the Walpole Meadows estate. It is ECC’s policy that new housing estate roads are constructed to ensure, as far as is possible, that vehicle speeds are kept to 20mph or below. This is to facilitate a safer pedestrian environment and improve safety for all residents, children, and visitors to the area. Roads included in the 20mph zone area are Beech Close, Bluebell Drive, Bugle Close, Hornbeam Way, Nuthatch Place, Orchid Place, Oxlip Road, and Violet Close. However, it should be noted that the roads on the Walpole Meadows development have not yet been formally adopted by Essex Highways and remain the responsibility of the developers.