Introduction
This report is the result of a survey conducted in Whalley in September 2005 to canvass the views of residents and businesses in Whalley. It is based on a sample house to house survey and some on street surveys on a Saturday morning. All businesses in the centre of the village were invited to complete the questionnaire. Streets in the centre of the village were sampled at one in every five households with a lower sampling of more peripheral streets.
The survey was conducted by members of Whalley Action Group and the results analysed by the author who acts as facilitator to the Action Group.
Key Conclusions
1) total 142 responses - 30 from business owners
2) the responses from villagers represent approx. 1 in 10 of Whalley households with a higher concentration of 1 in 5 in the centre of the village
3) 1 return not counted - spoilt paper
4) High % in favour of limited parking. Also high % of business owners in favour including those who own and live in King Street (7/9)
5) 1 hour waiting favoured
6) 9 to 5 the favoured period for waiting to be enforced
7) Both sides of the road favoured
8) A high number of people thought that waiting should be extended to cover George Street, Church Lane and Accrington Road (generally with a comment on how far this should extend)
9) The survey was predominantly from village centre residents
10) The split between male and female respondents was approx. 50/50
11) The survey was predominantly completed by people over 35 (64%)
12) The percentage of over 65’s completing the survey was higher (37%) than the estimated % of the population of Whalley over 65 (25%). The % of 51-65’s was in line with the estimated population percentages
13) The younger element of the population was not as well represented with only 9% in the range 21-35. This is estimated currently at around 23% of the population. 5% of Whalley’s population is in the 16-19 age group but none of this group completed the survey
14) The survey was dominated by car users but this is probably in line with local statistics
15) The main additional comments that people made were around current and future enforcement (now that this is controlled by Local Authority), a resident’s parking scheme and extension of double yellow lines Station Road/King Street junction and Accrington Road in particular were mentioned).
Agreed Actions (from meeting on 10/10/05)
1) the results will be provided to Lancashire County Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council and the Parish Council for comment
2) Ribble Valley Borough Council will be asked about the issue of current enforcement of parking restrictions and how they would propose to control any future scheme
3) The results will be provided to the press for publication and feedback to the people who completed the survey once the responses have been received from the LCC and RVBC.
Richard Jackson
On behalf of Whalley Action Group
051011/Wha/KS/Report