Agenda and minutes

None.

To consider the officer report on the following petitions received:

RESOLVED: That all items be considered in public.

Please note that individual petitions may overrun their time slots. Although individual petitions may start later than advertised, they will not start any earlier than the advertised time.

Derwent Drive, Hayes - Petition Requesting a One-Way System (Agenda Item 4)

Councillor John Oswell and Councillor Neil Fyfe attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors in support of the petition.

Concerns and suggestions at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners asked the Council to resolve the issue of rat running on Derwent Drive and Park Lane.

·         It was noted that Derwent Drive was being used as a rat run by speeding

Vehicles and there had been an increase in the number of HGVs.

·         Residents requested a ban on HGVs using Derwent Drive.

·         Residents requested a one way system and suggested a no entry point which would divert traffic towards the Hayes by Pass.

·         Both Derwent Drive and Park Lane residents requested that the Council implement systems which had been introduced in other areas close by. 

·         It was noted that with the sale of Hayes Park traffic congestion would increase as contractors would be using the road.

·         These issues were causing distress to residents and they were concerned about safety.

·         Councillor John Oswell spoke in support of the petition. He noted that he had seen a lot of rat running and was surprised at the amount or people using Derwent Drive to access other junctions. He explained that people were using Derwent Drive to miss out on the speed bumps.

·         At the outset, Councillor Fyfe indicated that it was his understanding that this petition related solely to Derwent Drive and not to Park Lane. Cllr Oswell confirmed that it was also his understanding that the petition only related to Derwent Drive. As such, he made a declaration of interest in relation to Park Lane. In respect of Derwent Drive, he noted that the road was being used a shortcut from Uxbridge Road to Yeading Lane. He raised concerns at the number of accidents which had taken place on Derwent Drive, involving the demolition of a front garden, wall and lamppost. He said that although the population was increasing, roads were not getting bigger.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He understood the petition to be about Derwent Drive and noted that officers had also worked on this basis. He clarified that although there was a suggestion that residents were requesting a no entry point, this petition was requesting a one way system. Councillor Burrows proposed further discussions with Ward Councillors and officers to identify and agree where the appropriate one way entry would be.

RESOLVED: Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.         Listened to their concerns with traffic speeds and volumes in Derwent Drive, Hayes;

2.         Noted the results of previous traffic surveys undertaken in Derwent Drive, Hayes (two in 2014 and one in 2015);

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

4.         Decided to hold a meeting with officers and ward councillors to discuss the issues raised and decide the best course of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Petition Requesting Residents' Parking on Part of Pole Hill Road, Uxbridge (Agenda Item 5)

Councillor John Oswell and Councillor Neil Fyfe attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors in support of the petition.

Concerns and suggestions at the meeting included the following:

·         Car parking had become a daily issue as the road was being used by non-residents and by people using the local garage for car repairs. 

·         Due to the Swakeleys School expansion parking spaces were also being used by contractors, which impacted the level of available parking for residents.

·         Petitioners requested a resident parking scheme so that residents were able to park on their road.

·         Petitioners expressed concern that emergency services would be unable to reach emergencies due to difficulties gaining access.

·         Councillor Fyfe expressed that he had witnessed traffic stress in this area and it was bad. He referred Councillor Burrows and the officer to recent photographs of the areas which supported his assertion that there was limited parking available. He noted that parents who were collecting their children from Swakeleys School had been informed of the parking difficulties in the area, but had continued to park in this area.

·         Councillor Oswell noted that parking was a raw subject and said that with the expansion of the school it was getting worse. He supported the introduction of a residents' parking scheme.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He noted that Hillingdon was a borough with high car ownership. He expressed concerns about introducing residents' parking in isolation without consulting the Council's housing teams. He expressed the need to balance both residents and local business interests. He suggested a meeting with officers and Ward Councillors to identify a sensible area for the parking management scheme.

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

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Listened to their request for a residents' permit parking scheme to be introduced in the section of Pole Hill Road, Uxbridge near to Nos. 134 to 158.

2.    Decided that the request for a Parking Management Scheme in this part of Pole Hill Road, Uxbridge should be added to the Council’s future parking scheme programme for further investigation and more detailed consultation when resources permit.

3.    Instructed officers to liaise with colleagues in Hillingdon Housing Services to investigate the feasibility of including the parking areas within this section of Pole Hill Road, Uxbridge which fall under their ownership in possible future proposals for a Parking Management Scheme.

4.    Instructed officers to request London Fire Brigade to carry out a site visit and report back their findings.

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

Petition Requesting a Parking Management Scheme in Austin's Lane, Ickenham (Agenda Item 6)

Concerns and suggestions at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners requested a residents' parking scheme as this area was being used as an overflow car park for people using Ickenham Underground tube station and the local town centre.

·         It was noted that the current situation was presenting a hazard to emergency vehicles.

·         It was noted that whilst parents were waiting to collect their children from school, they would sit in their cars with their engines on causing emissions.

·         Although residents had previously indicated that they did not want to be included in the extension of the Ickenham Parking Management Scheme, there had been a knock on effect which was resulting in an overflow of parking.

·         It was noted that a majority of residents were now in favour of the introduction of a residents' parking scheme.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He noted that initially residents did not want to be included in the Ickenham Parking Management Scheme, but sympathised with the knock on effect from other schemes surrounding Austin's Lane. Following another consultation in June 2016, the majority of residents who took part in the consultation indicated that they did not support the scheme and Councillor Burrows noted that officers decided to review the situation again in six months. This situation is due to begin consultation again on 1 March 2017. In light of this, Councillor Burrows encouraged all residents to respond to the consultation to ensure that their voices were heard and considered.

Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Listened to their request for an extension to the Ickenham Parking Management Scheme to be introduced in Austin's Lane, Ickenham.

2.    Advised the petitioners that the Council intended to review the Ickenham Parking Management Scheme and to formally consult Austin's Lane and other roads in the area in March 2017 on the plans attached as Appendix B.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

To allow the Cabinet Member to discuss with petitioners their concerns and inform them that the Council already plans to review the parking within their road.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED / RISK MANAGEMENT

Options were discussed with the petitioners.

Lime Grove, Eastcote - Petition Asking the Council to Review the Need for Speed Calming Measures and Parking Controls in Lime Grove (Agenda Item 7)

Councillor Eddie Lavery attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition.

Concerns and suggestions at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners explained that as people drove too fast in Lime Grove there had been an increase in accidents.

·         It was suggested that drivers became aggressive when confronted about their driving speeds.

·         It was noted that pedestrians had difficulties crossing the road due to the high vehicle speeds  and that there was a serious concern for school children.

·         Councillor Lavery identified two main issues in Lime Grove firstly the request for residents parking and secondly speed related matters. He noted that traffic volumes had increased and supported recommendations for speed checks. He noted that there was a large volume of parking in the area as it was the closest free parking road to Eastcote Underground Station and town centre. He recognised that further down Lime Grove away from the town centre parking was less of a problem.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He noted that there was only one collision recorded on Lime Grove and explained to residents how the police recorded this information. He accepted the issues, which were supported by the Ward Councillor, and suggested a meeting with officers and Ward Councillors to identify a sensible area for the parking management scheme. Councillor Burrows was keen to solve the issue for residents but was also mindful of not creating issues for other residents in nearby roads. He encouraged all residents to respond to the consultation to ensure their voices were heard and considered.

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Discussed with petitioners their concerns with vehicle speeds and parking in Lime Grove, Eastcote.

2.    Asked officers to add the request to the Council's extensive parking programme for further informal consultation on options to manage parking in an area agreed with local Ward Councillors.

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

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

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

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED / RISK MANAGEMENT

None at this stage.

Richards Close, Hayes - Petition from Residents Asking for a Residents' Permit Parking Scheme

Councillors Manjit Kaur Khatra, Peter Money and June Nelson attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors in support of the petition.

Concerns and suggestions at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners explained that parking for residents was getting bad as non residents; particularly those working at Heathrow airport were using the area to park.

·         Parking behaviour in the roads sometimes meant that residents wanting to exit their driveways were hindered by vehicles parked either side of the drivewayas well as directly opposite. It was noted that there had been incidents where residents had left notes on car windows asking for people not to block drop kerbs.

·         Petitioners raised concerns about litter being dumped from non residents sitting in their cars such as drivers of Private hire Vehicles.  It was noted that holiday makers were also leaving their cars parked on Richards Close for long periods.

·         There was particular parking demand on this road as other roads in the area already benefit from  managed parking that restricts parking for non residents.

·         Councillor Nelson explained that there had been a domino effect of other parking restrictions in close by streets. She expressed that it was not uncommon for holiday makers to park and go away for long periods. She noted that Richards Close was the last road in the area to not be part of a parking scheme and residents were suffering.

·         Councillor Money noted that there were no restrictions in place on this road and said it was clear if residents were in control it would work

·         Councillor Khatra supported this petition particularly in view of the issues of fly tipping. She asked Councillor Burrows and the Council to support this petition.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He noted that this was the last road in the area without residents parking. He suggested resolving the issue quicker than the proposed parking programme through using the new legislation which allowed councils in certain situations to place signs of resident parking only. He suggested that this would be a quicker process and if particular problems arose within the Close then it would be up to residents to manage these issues themselves. He proposed exploring other ways such as placing residents' parking signs at the start of the close to deter non residents parking their cars there. These signs would be enforceable by the Council. He encouraged all residents to respond to the consultation to ensure their voices were heard and considered.

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1. Discussed with petitioners their concerns with parking in Richards Close, Hayes.

2. Noted the results of the previous consultations with residents of Richards Close on a possible Parking Management Scheme.

3. Asked officers to add the request to the Council’s extensive parking programme for further informal consultation.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

The petition hearing will provide a valuable opportunity to hear  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.