Agenda and minutes

Councillor Burrows declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 4, as he knew a Councillor who lived in the local area.

It was confirmed that all items would be considered in public.

Councillors Jonathan Bianco, Duncan Flynn and John Morgan were in attendance at the meeting as Ward Councillors for Northwood Hills.

A petitioner addressed the Cabinet Member and noted a number of concerns, including the following:

·         Three petitions have been raised in the area over the past five years, and this latest petition has over 800 signatures in support, including both past and present local MPs, the Headteacher of Harlyn School, parents and local residents;

·         Previous action was taken to address parking issues in Tolcarne Drive and Cuckoo Hill in 2013, but this was never extended to Harlyn Drive, Chamberlain Way and Catlins Lane;

·         Traffic calming measures were put in place in Cheney Street without KSIs and an 85^th percentile that was lower than that on the three roads named in the petition;

·         Following the action taken in 2013 on Cuckoo Hill, traffic volume and traffic speed has increased in Harlyn Drive, Chamberlain Way and Catlins Lane;

·         Data figures used by the Council to calculate increased traffic volume and speeds come from 2016-18, but these time frames should be extended back to 2013 when the speed bumps were introduced in Cuckoo Hill, as that was when more the three roads became a rat-run to avoid the speed bumps;

·         The speeding in the area put vulnerable groups in danger.

Councillor Duncan Flynn, Ward Councillor for Northwood Hills, thanked the residents for their hard work on the issue over the years and noted that Hillingdon Council had a proud record on road safety. Councillor Flynn commented that there were serious concerns regarding this road and the size of the petition demonstrates this. The Cabinet Member heard that views of the residents must be considered and there has been a large increase in residents who have signed this petition in contrast with previous petitions. Councillor Flynn noted the support of the local care facility, Harlyn School, the driving test centre, police and local MP, and asked that action be taken to address these concerns that did not arrive alongside measures in Tolcarne Drive and Cuckoo Hill.

Councillor John Morgan, Ward Councillor for Northwood Hills, commented that statistics may not say that speed is an issue in the area, but residents know differently. When measures were implemented in Tolcarne Drive and Cuckoo Hill, the residents of Harlyn Drive, Chamberlain Way and Catlins Lane did not support measures on their roads but they do now. Councillor Morgan stated that it was usual to have a 20mph zone near schools, and Harlyn School is situated nearby. The Cabinet Member heard that speed was an issue on Catlins Lane, and measures were needed to slow traffic and make the roads safer. Councillor Morgan noted that the 800 plus signatures were nearly 10% of the Northwood Hills Ward, which should the strength of feeling, and the Council should not just look at statistics, as residents see the issues first hand and know there are problems.

Councillor Jonathan Bianco, Ward Councillor for Northwood Hills, stated that speed bumps were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The lead petitioner addressed the Cabinet Member and noted a number of concerns, including the following:

·         All residents of the road have seen cars speeding on The Brambles and over 40 signatures were received for the petition, although it would have been easy to gather more;

·         Due to speed bumps on surrounding roads, The Brambles has become a ‘rat-run’ for cars, which often drive around the bend at high speeds.

·         The bend on The Brambles is too narrow for two cars to pass;

·         There are a number of disabled bays on the road, and it is difficult for them to pull out onto the road or get out of their cars due to cars passing at high speeds;

·         There is a park on the road and a lot of concerns about children’s safety;

·         Cars are parked on the road, so visibility when turning out onto the road is very poor;

·         Speed bumps or a 20mph zone on the road would help as cars often travel at 40mph or more on the road.

Councillor Jan Sweeting, Ward Councillor for West Drayton, thanked the Cabinet Member for deferring the item from the last meeting and noted she was glad the lead petitioner was able to attend. Councillor Sweeting offered her full support to the petition, and noted that children in the area were at risk from cars travelling at high speeds near the park. The Cabinet Member heard that due to the narrow road and parked cars, drivers travel at high speeds down The Brambles to avoid getting stopped by cars coming the other way, and the road is used as a rat-run following traffic calming measures on Laurel Lane. Councillor Sweeting expressed concern that the traffic survey may not show the high speeds required to progress speed reducing measures, but noted that the road was very dangerous and she would support any measures that could be taken to lessen the speed of cars travelling down a residential street with a lot of children.

Councillor Burrows noted that he had seen and experienced the problems on The Brambles first-hand as drivers become frustrated waiting on the road for other cars to pass. The Cabinet Member also noted that the bend was very narrow and dangerous.

The lead petitioner and Ward Councillor also noted that the implementation of a residents’ parking scheme in Harmondsworth Road may also exacerbate the problem.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation agreed traffic surveys should take place on the road and the local Ward Councillor and lead petitioner agreed the locations that the traffic surveys would take place.

Councillor Burrows noted that if high speeds were not shown in the data, a high volume of traffic may still be, and other actions that could help reduce the speed or volume of traffic would be considered.

The Cabinet Member also requested that officers look to add possible signage by the park to tell drivers to slow down as children may be in the area.

RESOLVED: Having met with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Councillors Simon Arnold and Alan Deville were in attendance at the meeting as Ward Councillors for Yiewsley, and passed on the apologies from Councillor Ahmad-Wallana, who was unable to attend.

The lead petitioner addressed the Cabinet Member and noted a number of concerns, including the following:

·         The street was very busy with two bus routes and a nearby school, and experienced Sixth Form students parking on the road, in addition car dealers operating in the vicinity and tourists leaving cars on the road before being taken to Heathrow Airport;

·         The introduction of Cross Rail would make the parking situation even worse;

·         Apple Tree Avenue and Birch Avenue are quiet roads, but due to parked cars, the roads are significantly narrower;

·         Residents are not able to park near their homes, and as a result, elderly people are having to walk long distances to their homes;

·         Only four residents who were asked to sign the petition did not want to, and over 130 had signed the petition;

·         Residents do not want to go out as they will lose their car parking space if they move their car, and visitors have nowhere to park;

·         There has been a significant increase in hospital workers parking on the roads while they work long shifts, so there is nowhere to park for all hours of the day;

·         People have been seen leaving cars on the street and then being picked up by a minibus with their luggage to go to Heathrow Airport; and.

·         Some residents have even rented out parking spaces outside their homes.

Councillor Arnold, Ward Councillor for Yiewsley, thanked the lead petitioner for his efforts and noted that it was clear hospital traffic and parking has moved to Apple Tree Avenue and Birch Avenue following residents’ parking schemes being implemented in nearby roads. Councillor Arnold stated that introducing a scheme in these roads would just move the issue elsewhere and cause parking concerns for other residents and suggested that Royal Close, Violet Avenue and Campion Close be included in any consultation over the implementation of a scheme.

Councillor Alan Deville, Ward Councillor for Yiewsley, also thanked the petitioners and added his support to the petitioners and residents on the roads deserved to be able to park near their homes.

Councillor Burrows recognised that the parking concerns were the result of a domino effect from residents’ parking schemes nearby, and hospital workers and students parking were increasing the issue. The Cabinet Member stated that Ward Councillors should submit a Members’ Enquiry regarding possible car dealers on the road.

The Cabinet Member stated that 131 signatures was a high number, particularly when collecting signatures over winter, and it showed the level of support from local residents.

Residents were informed that the Cabinet Member would contact Ward Councillors to discuss which other roads in the area would be involved in the informal consultation to implement parking management schemes, in addition to Apple Tree Avenue and Birch Avenue.

The petitioners noted that parking bays on the road had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.