Elm Grove Residents Action Group (EGRAG) will lead a Deputation against CPZ to the Council Cabinet on May 27th at Hove Town Hall at 4pm. The on-line petition, other hardcopy versions and the Deputation call on the Council to abolish the proposed resident parking scheme for Hanover & Elm Grove. EGRAG is urging people to attend and bring banners, placards and anything else that highlights the campaign.

A new group, Streets 4 Communities Campaign, is emerging following the public meeting last week (May 12th) in Elm Grove School. It is to highlight the 'whole' community focus of the campaign and to encompass all areas against CPZ. Currently there are various groups eg around Bakers Bottom, Craven Vale, Queens Park and Pankhurst Avenue, who may have different views about the scheme.

EGRAG has also have invited the new MP, Caroline Lucas, to join them for a cycle tour of the proposed zone to see for herself the empty streets around Queens Park CPZ, the congestion at Bakers Bottom and the empty streets during the day elsewhere.

The meeting last week had been well attended with over 600 people. There is anecdotal evidence that some pro-CPZ supporters stayed away to avoid any bun-fight in the play-ground. The chair pointedly said that both Cabinet member and officers had declined the invitation to attend. No mention was made that Lucas MP had promised to attend, but failed to do so. One could be churlish and say it was her first broken promise to the electorate and probably not the last. But she had only just been elected, of course. She subsequently said: “ My office has been even busier than usual and unfortunately I was unable to make the meeting. I am in the process of arranging a tour of the area concerned, with EGRAG against CPZ."

As to the substance of meeting itself, it was not the best place for reasoned debate. There was no heated debate because it was a bit chilly in the play-ground. There were cheers when a loud hailer was found. The loudest cheers came when a show of hands against the scheme was called for. Audible groans were heard when the pro-CPZ supporters pleaded to save the planet and anthropomorphise the streets.

Other speakers mentioned the scheme in Cardiff LVZ (Local Vehicle Zone) and its referendum. Certainly the need for some kind of a preferendum might cut the Gordian Knot.

Others said one should not get distracted by alternatives : just vote “NO” . Lumping all the streets into one huge zone could be a ploy to force a “yes” vote.

If the consultation outcome (expected to be later on in the year) results in proceeding to the next stage of scheme development, there will be more formal consultation on the advertised Traffic Regulation Order itself. At this stage, all objections have in a sense to be made again, as it is only then that the TRO is approved (or not) by the Council and the parking tickets can be issued.

If there is no objection to the TRO, it is approved by default .

No decision about parking is being made at the Cabinet meeting on May 27th. It will be inside and cosy. There may well be some rabble-rousing, though.