Agenda and minutes

In respect of Item 4 - Traffic Calming in the Greenway, Uxbridge, Councillor Burrows confirmed that he was the Ward Councillor for Uxbridge South.

In respect of Item 5 - Request for Residents Permit Parking in Turks Close, Hillingdon, Councillor Burrows declared a non prejudicial or pecuniary interest as he knew the petitioner due to their children being friends.

In respect of Item 8 - Correction to 4 Speed Tables in Park Lane, Hayes, Councillor Fyfe declared a non pecuniary interest, in that he lived on Park Lane. Councillor Fyfe confirmed that he would therefore not speak on the item, though would remain in the room as an observer.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered in public. 

Councillors Tony Burles and Brian Stead attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors in support of the petition.  Councillor Judith Cooper also affirmed her support for the petition by email, as she was not able to attend the meeting in person.

Councillor Burrows confirmed that, although the item had been listed as affecting both Brunel and Uxbridge South Wards, a review of the location had shown that the area in question only affected Uxbridge South. Councillor Stead therefore limited his comments to how similar issues had been resolved within Brunel.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners confirmed that for some time the area was being affected by cars travelling at excessively high speeds. In addition, large Heavy Goods vehicles were attempting to use the road, only to discover that it was too narrow. Residents were concerned that the safety of other road users and pedestrians was at risk, including children travelling to and from the nearby school, as well as users of the local Community Hall.

·         It was suggested that the current 20mph speed limit, present on part of the road, be extended, together with the implementation of raised speed tables and crossings, in an effort to curb the excessive speed of motorists and to dissuade HGV drives from attempting to use the road. This would also have a positive effect on air quality while lessening noise disturbances.

·         It was confirmed that residents did not want traditional speed humps installed.

·         A request was also made to enhance the area with new trees and other additions.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised, noting that the road in question was a straight road, incorporating a wide junction, that encouraged excessive speeding. Councillor Burrows remarked that he had seen the excessive speeding in the area himself, and that this was a particular concern when considering that there was a school in the area. With regard to the Heavy Goods vehicles, it was felt that further investigation into the source of these vehicles would be required. The Cabinet Member noted that the petitioner had presented several options to be considered, and with these in mind, moved the recommendations as follows:

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Listened to their request for traffic calming measures in The Greenway, Uxbridge;

2.    Asked officers to undertake 24/7 traffic and speed surveys, in locations to be agreed with the petitioners, before reporting back;

3.    Instructed officers to review how the Cowley Road junction currently operated, including observing the junction at different times of the day, in order to identify improvements; and

4.    Instructed officers to review the potential for any enhancements to the area, using S106 contributions if appropriate.

Reasons for recommendations

The petition hearting would provide a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the petitions of their concerns and suggestions.

Alternative options considered / risk management 

None at this stage.

Councillor Brian Stead attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. Councillor Richard Mills affirmed his support for the petition by email, as he was unable to attend the meeting in person.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners confirmed that untaxed vehicles were being left in the Close, people from other parts of the Borough were leaving their vehicles in the Close for long periods of time, and users of the airport were using the Close as a car park.

·         Emergency services and refuse wagons were struggling to gain access, and the turning circle at the bottom of the Close was often blocked.

·         Taxi companies were often using the area as storage for their vehicles.

·         It was suggested that parking restrictions be implemented, in a similar fashion to the restrictions implemented within Moorcroft Road.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised, noting that he had seen the volume of vehicles parking in the area first-hand. It was highlighted that new legislation meant that Councils no longer had to mark out parking bays, as long as a sign with the details of the management scheme was displayed. The Cabinet Member agreed that action was likely required, but felt that the residents of Turks Close should be consulted before any scheme was implemented. With this in mind, Councillor Burrows moved the recommendations as follows:

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Listened to their request for a Parking Management Scheme in Turks Close, Hillingdon;

2.    Asked officers to carry out an informal consultation with the residents of Turks Close and to report the results of this consultation to the Cabinet Member and Ward Councillors; and

3.    Based on the outcome of the consultation, decide whether to move forward with a parking Management Scheme in Turks Close, using signage only.

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 

None at this stage.

The petitioners confirmed that Ward Councillor Tony Eginton was unable to attend the meeting in person, but had forwarded his comments in support of the petition by email. However, at the time of the meeting, these had not been received by Councillor Burrows or the Clerk.

It was confirmed that two petitions relating to changes to parking arrangements in Belmore Parade had been received, and that both petitions would be heard together.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners' concerns focussed on the introduction of double yellow lines and the reduction of parking spaces as a result of the Uxbridge Road, Hayes Parades improvements. Petitioners felt that the reduction in available parking for customers would have an adverse effect on the commercial fortunes of the businesses on the Parade. Reference was made to the improvement plan's aim to 'maximise' parking, which the petitioners felt was not the case.

·         In addition, proposed narrowing of roads as part of the improvements would make it more difficult for heavy goods vehicles to service the businesses, and could contribute to greater levels of congestion.

·         The petitioners asserted that that the Council had not undertaken adequate communication and consultation with the businesses on the Parade, to ensure they fully understood the implications of the works to be carried out. It was requested that plan revert to the previous layout, or be amended to include such options as echelon parking arrangements.

·         In addition, longstanding antisocial behaviour issues were raised, and it was requested that these be addressed by way of CCTV, speed limits, and any other measures deemed appropriate.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. With regard to the assertion that the Council had not undertaken adequate consultation, Councillor Burrows requested that Helena Webster, Community Engagement & Town Centres Team Leader, confirm what actions the Council had undertaken to communicate with residents and businesses prior to the improvements being implemented. Ms Webster referred to the comprehensive communication undertaken by the Council as set out in the report, which included consultation with Ward Councillors.  It was confirmed that Ward Councillors had not raised any concerns.

It was highlighted that the plan to 'maximise' parking, as referred to by the petitioners, was to make parking more efficient and disciplined within the parameters of the Parade's new design, rather than increase the number of parking bays. It was expected that the new parking arrangements would improve parking overall. The reasoning behind why the requested echelon parking was not an option was set out within the report.

Officers went on to inform all present that an objection to the proposed changes to the traffic order, which included parking, had been received. An objection report was currently being drafted, which would be passed to the relevant Cabinet Member(s) when finalised. The Cabinet Member(s) would then decide whether to uphold or dismiss the objection, and until such time as that decision was made, Councillor Burrows was unable to make a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Councillors Henry Higgins and Jane Palmer spoke as Ward Councillors in support of the petition.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners confirmed that, following the implementation of paid parking in the Cedars (Harefield House), many cars were now parking on the High Street instead. This was adversely affecting the provision of parking for customers of businesses on the High Street, and was prohibiting customers, including those with disabilities, from using the stores.

·         This was having a negative effect on the commercial fortunes of the business on the High Street. Many customers wanted to stop briefly to carry out short shopping trips, but were now unable to.

·         In addition, the nearby church car park was also being used by motorists seeking to avoid the charges at Harefield House, which was making it more difficult for local residents to attend church services.

·         It was therefore requested that a consultation be undertaken to review the feasibility of a 'stop and shop' parking management scheme, including potential timed 'short stay' parking. The importance of local residents agreeing on any potential scheme was highlighted.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised, highlighting the reason for the introduction of paid parking at Harefield House as set out in the report. Councillor Burrows went on to move the following recommendations:

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.            Discussed with the petitioners their concerns with parking in High Street, Harefield;

2.            Noted the introduction of parking charges at Harefield House car park, in line with conditions of the Section 106 agreement, which included a clause that if a public car park was not provided on the site within two years of the Council signing the formal lease, then it would be assigned back to the developer with no obligation to provide a public car park;

3.            Instructed officers to undertake a parking stress survey in the High Street and obtain details of usage at Harefield House Car Park; and

4.            Subject to the outcome of the above, asked officers to add the request to the Council's parking programme and, when resources permitted, to carry out informal consultation with business occupiers and residents of High Street, Harefield to establish if there is sufficient support for the consideration of a 'Stop and Shop' scheme. The extent of the consultation was to be agreed with Ward Councillors prior to it being undertaken.

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 / risk management

None at this stage.

Councillors John Oswell spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

·         Petitioners asserted that the current four speed tables installed at the Uxbridge end of Park Lane, Hayes, should be corrected to have slopes of less than or equal to 1 in 15, as per the Corporate Director's signed Order.

·         Documents tabled at the meeting showed measurements undertaken by the petitioner suggesting that the current tables were not conforming to the 1999 Humps and Speed Tables Govt. Regulations.

·         This was causing vehicles to 'ground' on the table, which was damaging vehicle undercarriages as well as causing significant noise pollution for the residents of Park Lane.

·         In addition, it was asserted that when the Council's officer undertook his measurements, residents and Ward Councillors were not notified of the date and time, and so could not attend the inspection.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and invited Isaac Kwakye, Highways Delivery Manager, to respond to the assertion that the speed tables were not compliant with regulations.

Mr Kwakye confirmed that the Department for Transport advised that table gradients should not be shallower than 1 in 10, but that the regulations did not constrain the slope gradient, but rather the dimensions including height, vertical face, etc. Mr Kwakye confirmed that when his inspection was undertaken, using specialist measuring equipment, the speed tables in question were compliant with all advice and regulations. Mr Kwakye apologised for not notifying Ward Councillors and residents of the date of his inspection. It was confirmed that upon the next visit, the tables would be reviewed for signs of wear and tear, and set against any changes to the regulations enacted since the tables' original implementation. If it was discovered that changes were required, then the Council would undertake these changes.

Councillor Burrows went on to move the recommendations as follows:

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.            Considered the petitioners' request and discussed with them in detail their concerns regarding the speed tables;

2.            Instructed officers to review the existing speed tables in Park Lane, Hayes when planned carriageway resurfacing works are next undertaken; and

3.            Instructed officers to undertake a further site visit to measure all tables and gradients before reporting back to the Cabinet Member for further discussion on possible required changes. Ward Councillors and residents were to be informed of the date of the site visit, so that they could attend, should they wish to do so.

Reasons for recommendations

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

2.            When planned carriageway resurfacing works in park Lane are next undertaken, this would provide an opportunity to review all existing speed tables again and make any amendments, if appropriate, to comply with the prevailing standards and guidance.

Alternative options considered / risk management

None at this stage.