Agenda and minutes

Councillors David Bishop and Andrew Retter were in attendance and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• Ascott Court provided sheltered accommodation for over 60’s. They had to cross the road to access other places and the road did not have a crossing.
• A resident would walk out of her way to get a bus rather than cross the road as she was that scared of crossing the road.
• Another resident who is blind did the same.
• There was an island at the middle of the road where pedestrians would be waiting for several minutes before being able to cross. The traffic did not stop to allow them to cross.
• There had been a fatality in the past around 5 or 6 years ago, and accidents had happened.
• The road is a B road but is wider than some A roads in the borough.
• Motorists drove faster than the speed limit.
• Parents with pushchairs and children used the road to try and cross as well as school children.  
• The Petitioners suggested that something was needed to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the road.

The Ward Councillors commented on the petition:

• Councillor Bishop requested that a 20mph zone be considered.
• That a zebra crossing where the island was also be considered.
• Ward Councillors had spoken with each other several times regarding the petition and were in agreement that something needed to be in place to improve the safety of the crossing.
• The roads are 30mph zones but cars travelled much faster. Councillor Retter did not believe a 20mph zone was a realistic option as the cars would not adhere to it.
• That the sight lines were difficult in some positions on the road so it was difficult to see on-coming traffic.
• Believed the most logical place to install a zebra crossing would be where the island currently was.
• Some signage would be required so that motorists were aware of this a crossing. Some larger signs would be required also.
• This was something which Ward Councillors and residents had been requesting for 3 or 4 years.
• The whole area was canvassed and there was overwhelming support for the 2 petitions presented.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. 

• Everything in the area needed to be weighed up when making the decisions.
• There were two vulnerable resident groups involved here, the elderly and children.
• That zebra crossings did need clear sight lines. Where the island currently was would most likely be the best place for the crossing.
• A feasibility study would allow officers to look at any further points which could be better suited for a zebra crossing.
• Officers would be reporting back to the Cabinet member, he would them make a decision to put this through the Road Safety Programme.

Officers advised that:           

• Signage needed to be adequate to inform drivers of the speed limit and a new crossing.
• The process would begin without  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Councillor John Hensley was in attendance and spoke as a Ward Councillor.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• There had been issues with parking on the street for several years.
• Commuters who travelled from the station were using the road to park in during the day. As well as staff members for the school and parents dropping/picking up children.
• The residents had brought this up with the school who had done nothing.
• People were obstructing drive ways and access for residents. 
• Residents had notified traffic warden, who did nothing but asked drivers to move their cars. This was not always straight away. No parking fines were issued to the drivers.
• People were illegally parking on the pavement.  
• Petitioner felt this was the last port of call as no one else was doing anything about solving the parking issues on the street.
• The parking issues made it dangerous for school children, the elderly and disabled and there had been occasions were people were almost hit by cars. Also difficult for pushchairs and mobility scooters who had to use the roads instead of the pavements as cars were parked on the pavement.
• People parked in front of dropped kerbs and on pavements whilst waiting for their children to finish school.
• There had been instances were people could not get out of their drive.
• There were problems driving out in the mornings and when school finished.
• There was a suggestion that the school could ask parents to be courteous and use a one-way system.

The Ward Councillor commented on the petition:

• Councillor John Hensley commented that traffic wardens had not been helpful and allowed people to park illegally.
• That the police/safer neighbourhood team had been contacted and asked to visit the school to explain the issues but they also achieved nothing in doing so.
• A suggestion made was not to have yellow lines but resident parking scheme. That the parking scheme concur with Willow Tree Way.
• The option of Mon – Fri or Mon – Sat was discussed. And this process would be discussed with residents.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. 

• Residents could register their dropped kerb driveway with the council. This meant that if someone parked in front then a council officer would come out to issue a ticket on that car.
• There was clear evidence shown that people were parking on the pavement and this matter would be looked into.
• The Cabinet Member commented that yellow lines may not be of benefit to residents unlike a resident parking scheme.

Officers advised that:           

• That they would be contacting the school themselves to inform them of the issues from parents parking. They would also give the school a warning that those parked illegally would be issued with tickets.

DECISION

That the Cabinet Member

1.                  Met and discussed with the petitioners their concerns with parking in Edinburgh Drive.

2.                  That all households of Edinburgh Drive, Edinburgh Close  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

This petition was requesting that the traffic congestion and parking situation around Abbotsfield and Swakeleys School complex to be addressed as soon as possible, especially in light of the proposed expansion of the school.

The Cabinet Member made the following statement to the petitioners:

The current planning application of these schools has been withdrawn from tomorrow night’s Planning Committee agenda.

If schools or any other significant building has proposed to extend, the effect of (in this case) additional pupils and teachers will be considered as part of this planning process. If it is appropriate to do so officers would require the applicant to propose as part of their submission, schemes to alleviate parking/congestion issues brought about by the development.

It is not appropriate of the Cabinet Member to comment further on the schools expansion proposals and their possible effect on surrounding roads or any measures proposed to alleviate them at this time. As he explained, this would be considered as part of the planning process. The petitioners would be contacted again should a date in the future be set for consideration of these proposals. 

Councillor’s Jill Rhodes and Tim Barker were in attendance and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• The petition to the Council included present day concerns as well as the proposed expansion.
• They discussed several options that could help ease traffic congestion in the area. These included 1 way system, 20mph speed restriction, resident parking scheme, cctv cameras, re-servicing of roads, road markings and a pedestrian crossing. 
• Health and safety of school children was a factor as it was dangerous for them to cross the road.
• Some road markings were very poor.
• Some roads have not been re-surfaced in many years.

The Ward Councillors commented on the petition:

• They supported the residents on this issue.
• The petition was signed by almost 300 residents.
• Ward Councillors had been hearing of the problems from residents for quite some time.
• During school runs the traffic was horrendous, the roads were gridlocked.
• Swakeleys school had sent a note around to parents to ask them not to park in front of driveways.
• Temporary measures had been put in by the police but these only helped with the problem for a short term.
• The problems needed to be addressed sooner rather than later.
• The schools had written to parents about driving in to drop children off. A preventative measure was needed to stop this.
• Rat-running occured in the morning and evenings, roads became gridlocked.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. 

• The reminded petitioners that as stated at the beginning of the meeting he had received legal advice that informed him that he could not make any decision relating to this petition.
• The aspects relating to traffic and congestion would be looked at in the planning process.
• Petitioners would get an invite to Planning Committee on this when the planning application is re-submitted.  

DECISION

That the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Councillor’s Judy Kelly and Alan Kaufmann were in attendance and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• There was excessive speeding in Edwards Avenue.
• There had been several incidents as a result of the speeding including a fatality years ago. Other incidents included a child oap, and animals being hit.
• Drivers drove as fast as 60/70mph on the 30mph zone.
• Petitioners believed that someone would be killed again soon if nothing was done to stop the speeding.
• The Police were there with speed camera over the Summer, this had not stopped the problem.
• The speeding mostly occured in the mornings and evenings.
• The speeding and rat-running had got worse since the road became a resident controlled zone as the roads were empty compared to before this was introduced.
• Edwards Avenue was used by children for crossing to go to the school.
• The road was gated. Lorries still drove down the road as there was no sign showing this. The lorries then would have to do a U turn.
• The option of closing the road off with further gates was discussed to stop rat-running.

The Ward Councillors commented on the petition:

• The area in general needed to be looked at. There were 4 roads that linked that come out of Station Approach.
• Rat run and speeding were high issues of concern.
• There was no notice/sign showing there is a school in the area.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. 

• Emergency services needed to use the roads so there would be issues arising from any gated access.
• The Parking management scheme was introduced at a request of the resident, and they were happy about this scheme.
• Signage could be looked in the short term. A sign showing that a school is in the area can be put be asap.

Officers advised that:           

• Strips could be put in several parts of the road to monitor the speeding and traffic.
• They would discuss further road safety options after getting results from the survey and these options would be discussed with the residents. 

DECISION

That the Cabinet Member

1.                  Discussed with petitioners their concern with speeding traffic in detail and the possible options to address issues that would be acceptable to residents.

2.                  Asked officers to include the request and possible options in the Road Safety Programme.

3.                  Asked officers to carry out a 24/7 speed survey and report back to the Cabinet Member. 

4.                  Asked officers to look into signage in the road to show that a school is in the area.

Reasons for Recommendation:

The success of traffic measures which address speeding are largely successful if they are acceptable to local residents.  These can be identified with petitioners for further detailed investigation by Officers within the Road Safety programme

Alternative Options Considered:

These were discussed with Petitioners at the meeting.

Relevant Ward:

South Ruislip

Councillor Philip Corthorne was in attendance and spoke as a Ward Councillor.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• The main problem was caused by commuter parking from around 7am to 7pm daily. The odd golf person was not the issue.

The Ward Councillor commented on the petition:

• There were problems associated with day time commuter parking.
• Wished there to be a consultation on parking management system and further waiting restrictions in the area.
• Many residents were having difficulty with access to their homes and driveways.
• Guidance may be needed for residents on the number of hours which is suitable.
• The ward councillor was supportive of the recommendations.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. 

• That the part time restrictions if imposed would apply to residents as well.
• Residents would be consulted on what hours parking restrictions were suitable and these would be considered.

Officers advised that:           

• They would ask residents to respond and encourage as many responses as possible.
• A consultation would be sent out to residents and through to ward councillors and the lead petitioners.

DECISION

That the Cabinet Member

1.                  Noted the residents concerns with “All day” commuter parking in their road and the request for limited time waiting restrictions.

2.                  Asked Officers to carry out a Council consultation with residents of Hill Lane and Hill Rise to point out that waiting restrictions will apply to themselves as well as visitors and if a scheme is still acceptable what are the preferred hours of operation.

Reasons for Recommendation:

It was clear residents of Hill Lane and Hill Rise were concerned with the level of commuter parking which they reported had increased in recent months.  The proposed Council consultation would ascertain the level of support for their preferred choice of limited time waiting restrictions with the knowledge that restrictions would also apply to residents.

Alternative Options Considered:

The residents had carried out their own consultation on the options available to address “All day” commuter parking and their preferred choice was limited time restrictions.

Relevant Ward:

West Ruislip