Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered in public. 

Councillor Jem Duducu attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition.  Councillors Teji Barnes and Michael White were present as Field End Road also ran through Cavendish Ward.  Councillor Allan Kauffman had emailed comments in support of the petition which were read out at the meeting. 

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• The size, weight and speed of HGV lorries (particularly Ocado vehicles) travelling along Field End Road were causing residents' doors and windows to rattle and were detrimental to the properties and road;
• The noise and vibrations meant that some residents were experiencing difficulty sleeping;
• Petitioners had recorded Ocado vehicles travelling along Field End Road at 2.57am, 3.09am, 3.30am and 4.20am on one day and it appeared that Ocado was not adhering to its vehicular movement schedule;
• There had been an incident involving an Ocado lorry which had collided with the central island in Field End Road;
• Many children attending Field End School and individuals using the recreation ground increased the volume of traffic and parked vehicles along Field End Road.  Although the parked cars caused traffic to slow, by the time that the HGVs reached Field End School the road was straight, there were no real obstacles and their speed generally increased;
• It was noted that residents from one side of Field End Road were not as affected by the HGVs as the vehicles were returning empty on that side of the road so therefore placing less pressure on the road and properties;
• It was suggested that it would be unfair to divert the HGVs to another area and therefore petitioners were requesting that the ban on lorries at certain times of night be retained and enforced;
• Councillor Kauffman had stated in his written submission that the route taken by Ocado lorries was contrary to the planned route for HGV transport which therefore gave rise to noise complaints.  As she would be absent, Councillor Kelly had echoed Councillor Kauffman's comments and support of the petitioners;
• Councillor White expressed sympathy with residents from Field End Road and other areas of the Borough with similar experience.  He suggested that consideration be given to the provision of sound barriers and a slight change to the road layout to reduce traffic speed.  However, residents advised that there was already a service road with trees in place but that these had offered little protection, particularly in relation to the vibrations;
• Councillor Barnes agreed with the suggestion to review the road layout to reduce the speed of traffic; and
• Although Councillor Duducu suggested that consideration be given to the use of speed guns, residents had contacted the police but no further action had been taken.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  He noted that Ocado did not appear to be sticking to its agreed schedule.  Undertaking a speed survey would provide the Council with data in relation to the types of vehicles travelling along  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Councillor Jem Duducu attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition.  Although not present at the meeting, Councillors Allan Kauffman and Judy Kelly had provided written statements which were read out by Councillor Keith Burrows.  All three Ward Members supported the petition. 

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• It was noted that residents had been experiencing disruption, noise and traffic nuisance from the Shree Kutch Leva Patel (SKLP) centre for 20 years;
• Although a red route had been implemented and was managed by Transport for London (TfL), this was not enforced and was therefore regularly breached with many vehicles parking along the A40 slip road and across residents' driveways;
• The events held at SKLP were getting bigger each year and attracting a greater number of visitors which impacted on the surrounding residents.  Approximately 4,000 visitors attended the last SKLP event and the next event was imminent but the police were seemingly unaware of it; 
• A committee had been convened two years ago and had comprised a range of people including residents, Councillor Kelly and Council officers.  This group had devised and implemented an action plan which had been effective in reducing the impact that the SKLP had on residents in the locality.  It was suggested that a similar group be convened and an action plan be put together so that residents knew who to contact if there were any issues;
• Petitioners advised that Sarah White had received written confirmation from Ealing that Hillingdon would be permitted to 'police' the site when major events were held at SKLP;
• Inconsiderate parking was a huge issue and often spilled over from Harvey Road to Glebe Avenue.  It was suggested that a parking management scheme be introduced;
• It was noted that the London Borough of Ealing had been contacted numerous times to ask that officers address the issues raised by Hillingdon residents but that no action had yet been taken;
• It was noted that, when the SKLP held major events, the organisation would be expected to abide by health and safety legislation and it was queried whether Ealing would be required to liaise with neighbouring affected boroughs and relevant agencies when considering any associated applications / permission requests; and
• A request was made that whatever action was taken by the Council was repeated annually to ensure that the issue did not return.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  Officers advised that they would speak to TfL regarding policing of the red route and would also contact the London Borough of Ealing (LBE) to insist that Hillingdon be invited to any meetings held regarding events at the SKLP as the Council had an interest. 

Councillor Burrows advised that consideration would be given to re-establishing the informal committee that had previously been used to devise an action plan as part of the second resolution.  If the dates of future SKLP events had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Councillor Jem Duducu attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition.  Although not present at the meeting, Councillor Allan Kauffman had provided a written statement in support of the petition, which was read out by Councillor Keith Burrows. 

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

·         It was noted that Edwards Avenue was being used as a rat run by speeding vehicles when West End Road was busy.  Whilst traffic and speed monitoring had not illustrated this, the reality was that cars were speeding.  However, this was not consistent throughout the day and was generally caused by sporadic high volumes of traffic on West End Road;

·         A motorist had been seen to verbally abuse someone who had motioned for them to slow down;

·         The police had been asked to provide a mobile speed camera in the road but the resource had been unavailable;

·         Approximately 60%-70% of pupils at Bourne Primary School used the entrance in Edwards Avenue.  Most other schools had a 20mph limit around them to improve safety for the children;

·         It was suggested that the development of the Arla site would compound the existing problem;

·         A large number of learner drivers used Edwards Avenue during their lessons which did reduce the speed of other motorists; and

·         Ward Councillors suggested that speed tables would deter speeding traffic to a greater extent than a 20mph limit.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  He noted that there had been previous speed surveys undertaken but that there appeared to be a problem as the issue kept coming back.  The last survey had been completed just over a year ago and had not provided a clear picture.  Councillor Burrows asked officers to undertake a further traffic volume and speed survey in October / November and, depending on the results of the survey, to consider adding Edwards Avenue to the Council’s Road Safety Programme for further investigation once the Arla site development had opened later in the year. 

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.            considered their concerns regarding vehicle speeds in Edwards Avenue;

2.            noted the previous work associated with an earlier petition request, including the speed of vehicles recorded during a traffic volume and speed survey undertaken in February 2010 and February 2015, relevant details of which were set out in the body of the 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 Councillors; and

4.            subject to the above, asked officers to add the petitioners’ request to the Council’s Road Safety Programme for further investigation.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

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

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

None at this stage.

Councillor Carol Melvin attended the meeting and spoke as a Ward Councillor in support of the petition. 

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• The petition organiser had liaised with other residents from Grove Road and Moor Park Road who did not want a parking management scheme (PMS).  He suggested that any action taken should be subject to consultation with all residents of both roads; 
• Concern was expressed that the visibility of children using the roads was hampered by the volume of cars parked there.  In addition, with vehicles parked on both sides of the road, traffic effectively became single file and sped up.  At the beginning of August 2016, a female resident had been involved in an accident that had been caused by the volume of parked vehicles;
• Speeding was of most concern between 8am and 8.45am as well as from 3.35pm to 4.15pm;
• Parking behaviour in the roads sometimes meant that residents wanting to exit their driveways were hindered by vehicles parked either side of the driveway as well as directly opposite, limiting manoeuvrability;
• It was suggested that a one hour parking prohibition could help to alleviate all day non-resident parking and would help to improve road safety for the children; and
• A PMS had been implemented in neighbouring roads and this was likely to impact on parking in Grove Road and Moor Park Road. 

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  The implementation of a PMS could cause issues but the Council would be led by the residents in the roads affected by the issue.  A full investigation would be undertaken which included detailed consultation giving every household, including those in the smaller adjacent roads, the opportunity to respond.  If the majority supported the implementation of a PMS, residents would then be consulted on the design.  If agreed by residents, once implemented, the scheme would be reviewed after 6 months and 12 months.  Residents would again be consulted on any proposed revisions. 

Councillor Burrows encouraged all residents to respond to the consultation to ensure that their voices were heard and considered. 

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.         listened to their request for a Parking Management Scheme to be introduced in the area.

2.         decided that the request for a Parking Management Scheme in Moor Park Road, Grove Road and possibly roads in the surrounding area should be added to the Council’s future parking scheme programme for further investigation and more detailed consultation when resources permit.

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

Options were discussed with petitioners.

Councillors Dominic Gilham and Jan Sweeting attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors in support of the petition.  As Councillor Janet Duncan was unable to attend the meeting, she had provided a written statement which was read out by Councillor Keith Burrows.  All three Ward Members supported the petition. 

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• Residents were becoming increasingly frustrated, particularly over the last 2-3 years, by the over parking in Money Lane, with vehicles parked right up to the corners of Frays Close and Copse Close.  It was anticipated that this would also be affected by Crossrail;
• The volume of vehicles was thought to be caused, in part, by an off airport parking service which also resulted in increased traffic movement in the road through the day and night;
• The volume of parked vehicles also meant that some moving vehicles were having to drive on the wrong side of the road;
• As commercial vehicles were not permitted on the estate, they often parked in Money Lane.  Furthermore, the airport and West Drayton Station were in the vicinity which made the free parking in Money Lane more desirable;
• Although residents had originally suggested parking permits to resolve the issues that they faced, they would welcome alternative suggestions and a wider consultation with all households that would be affected by any proposal;
• It was noted that parking in the area around The Green was particularly bad but that the surrounding area would also need to be considered;
• Consideration was given to a one-way section being implemented at the pinch point in Money Lane as well as a 20mph limit outside the school.  Making all of Money Lane one way would be likely to increase the overall speed of traffic;
• It was noted that a number of residents had been in contact with the Council's ASBIT team and had been keeping diaries of incidents for over a year.  Double yellow lines had also been requested for Frays Close; and
• Many residents in Copse Close appeared to be of the opinion that the parking issues that they faced were being caused by the residents of Money Lane.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  He was mindful that any consultation undertaken would need to involve residents from other roads in the area.  Further investigation would be undertaken with regard to a section of the road being made one way, the implementation of a 20mph zone and the effectiveness of the School Travel Plan.  Officers were also asked to liaise with the ASBIT team. 

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    listened to their request for a Parking Management Scheme to be introduced in Money Lane. 

2.    decided that the request for a parking scheme could be added to the Council's future parking scheme programme for further investigation and more detailed consultation when resources permit.

3.    considered their request for a one-way working in Money Lane, noted the fact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.