Agenda and minutes

None.

RESOLVED: That all items be considered in public.

No petitioners were present for the consideration of this item. The Cabinet Member, therefore, considered the petitioners’ request and also the detailed officer report on the matter before him, before making a decision.

RESOLVED -

The Cabinet Member:

1.    Noted petitioners' request for traffic calming measures in the area.

2.    Noted the results of the previous informal consultation with residents of the area on a proposed point "no entry" restriction at the junction of Chichester Avenue and Bembridge Gardens, which showed insufficient support for the concept;

3.    Noted that a no entry sign with a plate limiting the restriction to 'access for residents only' is not permissible under national highways design standards (The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 and the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1994) and so cannot be considered (as explained in the body of the report);

4.    Noted that traffic signal controlled infrastructure, such as signal controlled pedestrian crossings, if viable, could only be considered subject to their approval and installation by Transport for London, the body responsible for all traffic signals in Greater London;

5.    Noted the outcome of previous traffic volume and speed surveys, as noted in the body of the report;

6.    Instructed officers to contact the lead petitioner to establish the detail and underlying basis of the petitioners' suggestion of a "camera system to ticket motorists" at peak periods (as elaborated in the body of the report);

7.    Subject to the outcome of the above, considered asking officers to undertake traffic surveys, at locations agreed by the petitioners, and then report back to the Cabinet member.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting traffic calming measures for Chichester Avenue, Bembridge Gardens, Lysander Road and Lymington Drive, Ruislip.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents of Chichester Avenue, Ruislip asking for the introduction of a Residents' Permit Parking Scheme and traffic calming measures. In support of the petition, the petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

·         The petitioners confirmed that during peak hours in the week, there were a large number of cars travelling at high speeds and increase in the volume of cars. This was causing residents concerns as they found difficult to get to their cars and cross roads.

·         The petitioners requested that parking permits be implemented in the area as resident parking was being used by commuters, shoppers shopping at Waitrose, people using the surgery nearby and people using the High Street.

·         This was a long term issues and the inappropriateness of way vehicles were being parked meant that there was less parking for available for residents. Vehicles were blocking driveways or taking up two parking spaces thus reducing the available parking space.

·         These concerns had been raised with staff at Waitrose about inconsiderate parking, but there had been no improvement.

·         Petitioners considered that the parking permits should be divided into two separate restrictions at times in the morning and in the afternoon. This will mean that local shoppers can then use the spaces available without impacting local residents.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He clarified that the parking in the weekend was less of an issue for residents but acknowledged that there could be a knock on event if there were incidents within the local area. He explained that it may be difficult to introduce split parking hours as this will cause confusion to parkers. He also explained that introducing a yellow line system would mean that this would also be enforceable against local residents.

David Knowles, Transport and Projects Senior Manager, explained that the timeframes to undertake the surveys would be in late autumn. He explained that an informal consultation would take place, which would also look at local areas to consider the impact of any proposed parking permits. Following this a statutory consultation would take place. 

In considering the matters, Councillor Burrows made the following decision:

RESOLVED -

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Discussed with petitioners their concerns with parking and vehicles speeds in Chichester Avenue, Ruislip.

2.    Subject to the outcome of the above, decided if the request to introduce a residents' permit parking scheme in Chichester Avenue, Ruislip and the surrounding area should be added to the Council’s future parking scheme programme for further investigation and more detailed consultation when resources permit.

3.    Asked officers to undertake traffic surveys, at locations agreed by the petitioners and then report back to the Cabinet Member and considers this in conjunction with a similar petition submitted by residents of the area.

Reasons for decision

The petition hearing will provide a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the petitioners of their concerns and suggestions. 

Alternative options considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents of Sweetcroft Lane, Uxbridge asking for the introduction of a 20mph speed limit, traffic calming measures, parking restrictions and resurfacing. Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

·         The petitioner explained that the current layout of Sweetcroft Lane was formed almost hundred years ago. The Lane is narrow, contains a blind bend and in part does not have a foot path on both sides.

·         Traffic has increased and the surface of the road and footpath has deteriorated. Nearby roads are now being used as commuter car parks.

·         Footpaths are so narrow that when two people are walking towards each other, one person will have to give way or stand on the road to allow the other person to pass.

·         Residents are concerned with the speed of drivers on the lane and have witnessed a number of incident some involving emergency services. This has caused a concern for the safety concerns for residents.

·         Residents have voiced their concerns on social media.

·         The petitioner requested that a 20 mph speed limited together with traffic calming measures be introduce don Sweetcroft Lane; parking restrictions on the entire length of Sweetcroft Lane be introduced and the roads and footpaths are resurfaced.

·         The petitioner explained that this is an issue affecting real people and asked for action to be taken.

Councillor Raymond Graham attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He reiterated that Sweetcroft Lane needed to be made safer. He accepted that there were differing opinions on the solutions for traffic calming.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. Cllr Burrows explained that research needed to be undertaken as to the number of fatalities in the past three year period and consultations would need to be undertaken. Councillor Burrows went on to move the following recommendations:

RESOLVED -

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Discussed with petitioners their concerns with parking and vehicles speeds in Sweetcroft Lane, Uxbridge.

2.    Advised petitioners that an informal consultation will shortly be undertaken on proposals to introduce further parking restrictions in this area following the comments made during previous consultations, which will include Sweetcroft Lane.

3.    Asked officers to undertake traffic surveys, at locations agreed by the petitioners and then report back to the Cabinet Member.

4.    Noted that the Highway Programme Manager has responded separately to the lead petitioner's request for the road and footways to be resurfaced.

5.    Due to comments made by the Lead Petitioner and other residents present, a full and detailed update on resurfacing works for Sweetcroft Lane is to be provided and discussed with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling.

Reasons for decision

The petition hearing will provide a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the petitioners of their concerns and suggestions. 

Alternative options and rejected

None.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition requesting a width restriction at the Hertfordshire end of Kewferry Road. Matters raised at the meeting by petitioners included the following:

·         The petitioner explained that residents had lived in the area for a long time and there had been a distinct change in the levels of traffic.

·         The road was being used as a rat run and there were a number of HGVs travelling on the road which were causing a great concern for resident safety.

·         There was a concern for the local school in the area as the safety of children was alarming. It was reported that the constant travel of HGVs was also distracting school lessons due to the high levels of noise.

·         The petitioner said that every tenth car is a HGV. Concerns were also raised about the inappropriate use of satnavs and HGVS, as often the equipment used by HGV drivers did not include information on the road width.

·         The petitioner requested that action was taken to stop the noise, vibration and pollution caused by the heavy goods vehicles passing over speed tables by installing width limiting barriers at the Hertfordshire end of Kewferry Road. It was hoped that this would prevent vehicles using this road as a rat race.

Local Ward Councillor, Richard Lewis was unable to attend the meeting but sent his support for the petition by email. He indicated that that he supported the recommendations.  

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. Cllr Burrows explained that further research needed to be undertaken, but this would be done by an independent company. In considering all matters, Councillor Burrows went on to make the following decision:

RESOLVED -

Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Considered their concerns regarding heavy good vehicle movements along Kewferry Road;

2.    Noted the previous work associated with an earlier traffic calming scheme installed in 2010, relevant details of which are set out in the body of this report;

3.    Decided officers should undertake further classified traffic volume and speed survey(s) at location(s) to be agreed with the petitioners and the relevant Ward Members; and

4.    Asked officers to liaise with colleagues in Hertfordshire County Council to explore options to address petitioners’ concerns.

5.    Requested that the relevant officer responsible for noise and air quality within Hillingdon discusses issues relating to noise and air quality with staff from Holy Trinity School and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling.

Reasons for decision

The petition hearing will provide a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the petitioners of their concerns and suggestions. 

Alternative options considered and rejected

None at this stage.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents concerned with excessive traffic speeds in Dene Road and Sandy Lodge Way, Northwood. No petitioners were present for the consideration of this item.

Councillor Richard Lewis was unable to attend the meeting but sent his support for the petition by email. He indicated that that he supported the recommendations.

Considering the petition and officer comments on the matter, Councillor Burrows agreed the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED -

The Cabinet Member:

1.    Noted petitioners concerns with excessive traffic speed in Dene Road and Sandy Lodge Way.

2.    Asked officers to undertake traffic surveys, at locations agreed by the Cabinet Member for Planning Transportation and Recycling in the absence of the petitioners and ward councillors.

Reasons for decision

To consider a petition submitted by residents concerning excessive traffic speeds in Dene Road and Sandy Lodge Way, Northwood.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.