New measures to tackle anti-social parking in Ruislip High Street

The decision was taken following a formal consultation on the proposals which took place earlier this year, with 56 per cent of respondents supporting the idea. Prior to this, the council and ward councillors had received numerous complaints from local businesses and shoppers citing 'haphazard' driving practices, anti-social behaviour and lack of available parking spaces. 

One respondent to the consultation even cited counting 22 delivery bikes parked across four pay and display bays. 

The high street benefits from a variety of popular restaurants and fast food outlets, many of which offer a delivery service. In recent years, this has resulted in a significant increase in drivers using motor scooters parking as close as possible to the required business, often in ranks of vehicles, using pay and display bays intended for cars. 

This reduces the availability of spaces for shoppers and despite the council already providing free, dedicated parking provision for motorbikes in the high street. 

The amended traffic order will be enforced by the council's parking officers and reviewed after six months. 

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: "We want our high streets to flourish and be places that shoppers can visit easily and safely. 

"These new measures have been introduced with the intention of tackling ongoing issues reported to the council relating to the misuse of parking spaces and dangerous driving practices by fast food delivery drivers. 

"Ruislip High Street has sufficient dedicated motorcycle parking bays to meet the current demand, and these remain free of charge to use, so there should be no knock-on effect for those visiting by moped or motorbike to shop or use local services. These measures will simply allow us to effectively tackle the nuisance parking and associated issues." 

The council is also working closely with the largest fast food outlet in the High Street on plans to create a dedicated waiting area for its own delivery drivers, away from the shopfronts.