Agenda and minutes

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• The petitioners did not think the proposed recommendation of reducing the hours of operation of the single yellow line waiting restrictions in Tweeddale Grove to a one-hour morning and afternoon waiting restriction would help with the issues they were faced with.
• It was felt that this recommendation would not assist with parents picking up and dropping off children or those parents who had to pick up children during the day if they were sick.
• Staff at the nursery had been advised by the MOD that they could park in its properties’ visitor parking spaces.  However, some of the residents in the area had been abusive to the staff and blocking their vehicles in, resulting in the staff being pressured to park elsewhere.
• There was a space at the back of the nursery, which could potentially be used as a car park for staff and for parents to drop off their children.
• Another alternative that was suggested was that staff received parking permits similar to the scheme used in Hampstead.
• Parents were keen to drop their children off properly, not quickly push them through the door but they were pressurised to be quick as parking attendants were frequently around.
• Parents suggested a permit that would allow them 15 minutes to park as being ideal.
• The parking restrictions had been introduced to eradicate commuter parking and stop local car rental companies from using the street to park their vehicles.
• Petitioners were concerned that a parking restriction for one hour in the middle of the day would still not solve the problem with parents dropping their children off or the problems that staff had with parking.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  It was noted that there were 3 options that could be considered:

1.      Change the parking restriction to 1 hour in the middle of the day- this option would prevent commuters from parking all day but would not stop local car companies from parking their vehicles in the area;

2.      Reduce the current parking restriction to 1 hour each morning and afternoon; or

3.      Remove the parking restriction completely - Petitioners were advised that commuters would be able to park on the street if the parking restrictions were lifted which would cause further parking problems for residents, parents and nursery staff.

Officers were asked to investigate the ownership of the land at the rear of the nursery. Once this ownership had been established, officers were asked to report back to Councillor Burrows on whether the area could potentially be converted into a car park.

Councillor Burrows advised the petitioners that, after the investigation into the land has been carried out, if they were unhappy with the outcome, they would be able to  come back with another petition.

Resolved - 

That the Cabinet Member:

1.      Noted the petition request.

2. Met with and listened to the petitioners’ concerns regarding parking issues on Tweeddale  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• The petitioners explained that although the roads in discussion were within a 30mph zone, drivers rarely abided by this speed restriction with many travelling at around 50mph.
• There were double white lines in the middle of the road but cars still overtook, which was very dangerous.
• There had been several accidents in the area, including some very serious accidents that had caused damage to property as well as seriously injuring people.
• Residents stated that the kerbstones were very low in some places and suggested that a higher curb might have prevented vehicles from crashing into their fences/gardens.
• There was an area where the pavement was so narrow that pedestrians were caught in the tail wind of some lorries and buses if they walked there. Many residents avoided the pavement as they found it too dangerous and was barely wide enough for a buggy or two people walking side by side.
• The petitioners asked what the Council put in measures to slow vehicles down.
• The 30mph signs were ignored by drivers – those drivers that adhered to the limit were often tailgated by other vehicles.
• Residents suggested that bollards be installed on the pavement to protection residents’ properties from vehicles losing control and mounting the pavement.
• It was suggested that an anti-skid surface be laid on the roads at corners and turns and that 30mph signs be painted on the road.
• It was also suggested that average speed cameras be installed.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  Petitioners were advised that the two Ward Councillors for Harefield had given their support for the petition. 

Officers explained that a higher kerb could cause a vehicle at high speed to flip, which could cause more damage or injury than a lower kerb.  It was noted that bollards were not placed to protect people; they were usually used to stop drivers parking there.

Officers would look at the option of Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) and Speed Indicator Devices (SID). Consideration would be given to including Sedley Grove in the programme’s next review.

As there was no possibility of installing 30mph repeater signs, officers were asked to investigate the possibility of erecting a sign with ‘30mph’ and a camera below it to remind drivers that there were speed cameras in the area.

The Cabinet Member suggested a 24/7 speed survey be carried out to record the volume and types of vehicles and the speeds travelled. After the results had been received, further consideration could be given to what action could be taken.  Furthermore, the police would be advised of any information resultant from this survey that would assist in apprehending persistent speeders.

Resolved - 

That the Cabinet Member:

1.      Noted the petition and the request for measures to address the speeding traffic in Church Hill and listened to the concerns of the petitioners;

2.      Asked officers to conduct a 24 hour/seven day speed and volume  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.