Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That all items of business be considered in public.

Councillors Mohinder Birah and Jagjit Singh attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors for Yeading. 

The lead petitioner was in attendance, and stated a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         Residents reported that the area was littered with both small and larger items of rubbish which were being dumped indiscriminately;

·         The roads throughout the estate were long and relatively clear of traffic, hence people often drove at speed along them –this was an accident waiting to happen;

·         Residents were extremely concerned about the level of criminal activity in the area – it was thought that CCTV would help in this regard;

·         Reported police collision data for the three years to end December 2018 had recorded five incidents across the estate; in reality there had been many more unreported incidents;

·         It was felt that CCTV cameras could assist in catching the perpetrators of illegal flytipping; this would have a positive impact on the public purse as the Council would no longer be required to collect the dumped rubbish;

·         It was noted that there was a school in close proximity to the estate. Parents used the roads to drop off / collect their children which added to the volume of traffic in the area;

Ward Councillors Mohinder Birah and Jagjit Singh indicated that they supported the petitioners’ requests. They reported that they lived in the vicinity and were extremely concerned about the amount of flytipping on the estate and about speeding traffic in the area, which was extremely dangerous. The Cabinet Member was informed that there were also drug dealing issues in the area. Ward Councillors reported that the problems were widespread and were not solely confined to Brookside Road.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of residents and Ward Councillors and responded to the points raised. He noted that the request for CCTV cameras did not fall within his Cabinet Member portfolio; however, this request would be referred on to the appropriate Local Authority department for further action. The Cabinet Member explained that the police collision data only included those incidents where the police had attended and there had been personal injury. He advised that the Council needed evidence from the traffic survey to support the installation of traffic calming measures before any further action could be taken.  Maps were provided and Ward Councillors and residents present were invited to agree where the traffic surveys should be located. It was confirmed that the speed surveys would not be installed during school holidays when traffic volume would be significantly lower. Democratic Services agreed to circulate the crime figures provided by the petitioner to both the Cabinet Member and to the Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Manager. The Cabinet Member moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.         Noted their request for permanent and mobile cameras to deal with the dumping of rubbish and agreed to refer this request to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Councillor Carol Melvin attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor for Northwood.

The lead petitioner was in attendance, and stated a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         Residents were requesting an extension to the operational times of the parking restrictions in Halland Way to include Saturday 1pm to 2pm due to parking congestion on Saturdays;

·         It was noted that a large number of families with young children lived in Halland Way and concerns were raised regarding safety; particularly in view of the amount of vehicles parking along the road on Saturdays;

·         It was reported that residents of Halland Way often had difficulties accessing / exiting their driveways due to the inconsiderate parking of non-residents.

Ward Councillor Carol Melvin indicated that she supported the petitioners’ request. She commented that parking on Saturdays was problematic in Halland Way as non-residents using the road did not always park in a reasonable and considerate manner. It was noted that a section of Halland Way was a private road and the Local Authority could only enforce restrictions on the public highway. Ward Councillor Melvin hoped that the proposed extension to include Saturdays would deter people from parking along the road in its entirety.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of residents and the Ward Councillor and responded to the points raised. He noted that the extension was not being requested for any other roads in the nearby area. The Cabinet Member confirmed that the extension was a minor change and was relatively straightforward. The Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Transport Manager advised residents that all houses along Halland Way would be consulted regarding the proposed extension and the results would be considered on a house-by-house basis.  Councillor Burrows advised that he  met the Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Transport Manager on a Monday evening and would discuss the matter further with officers and report back to the Ward Councillors. The Cabinet Member moved the recommendations as set out in the report, having noted that other roads in the nearby area would not be included in the revised scheme.

RESOLVED: Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.    Listened to their request for the operational times of the Parking Management Scheme to be extended in Halland Way, Northwood;

2.    Requested that the extension to operational times of the parking scheme in Halland Way, be added to the Council’s future parking scheme programme for informal consultation with residents.

Reasons for recommendations

To allow the Cabinet Member to discuss with petitioners their concerns and, if appropriate, add their request to the parking schemes programme.

Alternative options considered / risk management

These will be discussed with petitioners.

Councillor Carol Melvin attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor for Northwood.

Petitioners raised a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         Parking was limited in Rising Hill Close due to the restricted space and layout of the Close;

·         There were 14 houses, some of which did not have garages. Many households had two cars;

·         The Council had previously informally consulted residents in the Close on the option of being included in the proposed extension to the Northwood Parking Scheme and had only received three responses. However, the current residents were in support of the proposal;

·         Many of the neighbouring roads were now included in the Northwood parking management scheme;

·         Parking in the Close was popular due to its proximity to Mount Vernon Hospital, Mountwood Medical Centre, Riverside Health Club and Holy Trinity School;

·         Commuters who were no longer able to park in surrounding roads often opted to park in Rising Hill Close instead;

·         There were examples of residents with heavy shopping, carers, young mothers with babies and toddlers, people returning at night and emergency services struggling to park along the Close;

·         People sometimes parked in front of garages or double parked;

·         Petitioners requested a permit scheme with signage enforced by a traffic warden.

Ward Councillor Carol Melvin indicated that she supported the petitioners’ request, noting that parking in Rising Hill Close was extremely problematic.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of residents and the Ward Councillor and responded to the points raised. Since Rising Hill Close was a no-through road, he suggested that the simplest and quickest option would be to erect signage at the entrance to the road. Residents would need to display a permit and parking would be self-governed; Council officers would enforce the scheme until 10pm but would not operate 24/7. It was confirmed that all residents would be informally consulted on a number of proposals to establish their preferred option. 

The Cabinet Member moved the recommendations as set out in the report, with a slight amendment to recommendation 2.

RESOLVED: Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.    Listened to their request for the introduction of a residents’ permit parking scheme in Rising Hill Close, Northwood;

2.    Agreed that the request for a residents’ permit parking scheme to be introduced in Rising Hill Close, Northwood be added to the Council’s future parking schedule programme for further investigation and more detailed consultation when resources permit, with a view to installing “Residents Only Beyond This Point” signage. 

Reasons for recommendations

To allow the Cabinet Member to discuss with petitioners their concerns and, if appropriate, add their request to the parking schemes programme.

Alternative options considered / risk management

These will be discussed with petitioners.

Councillor Peter Money attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor for Heathrow Villages.

Petitioners raised a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         Traffic tended to use Sipson Lane and Cranford Lane as a short cut and often travelled above the speed limit;

·         The junction of Sipson Lane, Cranford Lane and Harlington High Street was a roundabout, which was very busy. Give way signs were often not abided by;

·         There had been a number of incidents at the roundabout including one major one approximately 3 months previously;

·         Speed ramps and cameras were requested on all roads to slow traffic down as it approached the junction;

·         The roundabout had previously been sited on a prominent raised area ; this had now been levelled off

Ward Councillor Peter Money indicated that he supported the petitioners’ request, commenting that the junction was extremely busy. It was noted that the main access to William Byrd School was situated along Sipson Lane; this was an additional cause for concern as there was no safe crossing point for parents and children to use. Councillor Money commented that there had been a considerable number of accidents in the area, many of which had gone unreported. He noted that give way signs were often not abided by and there were a number of blind corners in the area, which added to the danger. A prominent roundabout and signage to indicate the presence of a nearby school were requested by the Ward Councillor.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of residents and the Ward Councillor and responded to the points raised. He informed the petitioners that cameras were governed by central government rather than by the Council and were generally only deployed on roads with a high KSI (killed or seriously injured). Dummy cameras could not be installed as these were illegal. Councillor Burrows advised petitioners that the Council needed evidence from traffic surveys to support the installation of traffic calming measures before any further action could be taken.  Ward Councillors and residents were invited to indicate where the traffic surveys should be located. The Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Manager agreed to explore the possibility of accessing transport police data relating to speeding offences in the area.

The Cabinet Member moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED: Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member for Planning Transportation and Recycling:

1)    Listened to their request for traffic calming measures in Sipson Lane and Cranford Lane, Harlington;

2)    Asked officers to undertake further traffic surveys, at locations agreed by the petitioners, and to then report back to the Cabinet Member;

3)    Asked officers to undertake a review of the signage and road markings on, and close to, the roundabout and report back to the Cabinet Member.

Reasons for recommendations

To allow the Cabinet Member to discuss with petitioners their concerns and, if appropriate, add their request to the traffic calming programme.

Alternative options considered / risk management

These will be discussed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Councillors John Riley and Philip Corthorne attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors for West Ruislip.

Petitioners raised a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         It was pointed out that the accident data provided did not include near misses which were happening regularly; particularly in the vicinity of Whiteheath Infant School at drop off / pick up times;

·         A reduction in the speed limit to 20 mph was suggested;

·         More consistent parking restrictions were suggested to maintain two-way traffic;

·         A second zebra crossing was proposed further along Ladygate Lane to the west;

·         Restrictions on HGV traffic (often related to HS2) would help to reduce traffic and improve safety;

·         The second access point to the Bowls Club could be re-opened to improve traffic flow;

·         Footpaths were narrow due to overgrown grass verges – these were in need of maintenance;

·         New school governors at Whiteheath Infant School were now engaged and supported parking restrictions on one side of the road to reduce the speed of traffic;

·         Whiteheath Junior School was already engaging and had agreed a one-way voluntary road system;

·         Whiteheath was the only school within a 10 miles radius where the roads around it did not have 20 mph speed restrictions.

Councillor Philip Corthorne expressed his support for the petitioners’ request for waiting restrictions. He confirmed that additional signatures had been received since the original petition was submitted to the Council. Councillor Corthorne highlighted his concerns regarding road safety in the area and suggested that the introduction of an HGV weight table would be advisable.

Councillor John Riley was also supportive of the petitioners and highlighted the need for a package of measures to resolve the speeding and parking issues in the area. He expressed his concerns regarding the safety of Whiteheath school children. Councillor Riley confirmed that he had been working with the Bowls Club for some time and felt that the opening of the second access gate would go some way to alleviate the problems in the area. Other suggestions included rumble strips and flashing speed signs.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of residents and Ward Councillors and responded to the points raised. He informed residents that the police data only recorded those incidents which had resulted in personal injury. It was noted that rumble strips were effective but also noisy. The Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Manager advised petitioners that the consultation regarding weight restrictions for HGVs in Ladygate Lane had now concluded and it is expected that cameras will to be introduced to enforce said weight restrictions. It was confirmed that Council officers would visit the area to consider all possible solutions, including VAS signs, double yellow lines, waiting restrictions and one-sided parking. Site visits would take place at busy periods and in adverse weather conditions.

Councillor Burrows advised petitioners that the Council needed evidence from traffic surveys to support the installation of traffic calming measures before any further action could be taken. Ward Councillors and residents were invited  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.