Agenda and minutes

Petition Hearing - Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation - Wednesday, 6th December, 2017 7.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room 3 - Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1UW. View directions

Contact: Liz Penny  01895 250185

Items
No. Item

19.

Declarations of Interest in matters coming before this meeting

Minutes:

None.

20.

To confirm that the business of the meeting will take place in public.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That all items be considered in public.

21.

To consider the report of the officers on the following petitions received.

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.

22.

Petition Requesting the Introduction of Parking Restrictions in Parkway, Hillingdon pdf icon PDF 432 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member considered a petition received from Parkway residents requesting a parking management scheme in the road. A representative of the petitioners addressed the Cabinet Member. Comments and suggestions included:

 

·         The Cabinet Member was advised that Parkway was a narrow road of special character which had not been designed for the volume of traffic currently using it.

·         The road was particularly busy as it served St Helen's School, a Medical Centre and was also used for commuter parking due to its proximity to Hillingdon Station which further exacerbated the problem.

·         The road was particularly congested at school pick up and drop off times.

·         Concern was expressed regarding potential lack of accessibility for emergency vehicles at busy times.

·         Air quality was an area of concern for local residents.

·         Visibility when accessing / leaving driveways was sometimes limited due to the number of vehicles parked along the road.

·         It was felt that a parking scheme would alleviate the problem.

 

Councillor Graham attended the meeting as Ward Councillor and spoke in support of the petition. He reiterated that commuter parking was the principal problem in the area and confirmed that access to driveways was often restricted; particularly at school pick up / drop off times. Councillor Graham expressed further concerns regarding accessibility for emergency vehicles and air quality in the area. Councillor Cooper also attended the meeting as Ward Councillor and confirmed that the parking issues in Parkway were primarily caused by commuter drift.

 

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He requested clarification regarding the availability of parking at the Medical Centre and was advised that parking existed to the rear of the surgery which incorporated spaces for disabled residents; however patients often parked on the road rather than in the car park provided. Attention was drawn to the part of the road which was privately owned and residents were informed that the Council may not be able to put yellow lines along that section of the road. Councillor Burrows outlined the possible options open to residents; namely a full parking management scheme or waiting restrictions. He noted that waiting restrictions would also impact on local residents who needed to park their cars along the road during the daytime. A Parking Management Scheme was another option but the matter of the private part of the road was a complicating factor. Councillor Burrows informed residents that an informal consultation would be undertaken to establish which option residents would prefer. It was explained that the decision of the majority of residents would be carried forward; if residents did not respond to the consultation, they would not have a say. Councillor Graham asked whether residents of the private road would be included in the consultation and officers were able to confirm that this would be the case.  The Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Team Manager stated that he would need to seek clarification from the Council's legal team on this point. It was confirmed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Catlins Lane and Chamberlain Way, Pinner - Petition Requesting a 20MPH Speed Limit with no Loss of Roadway Parking pdf icon PDF 460 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents of Catlins Lane, Chamberlain Way, Pinner requesting a 20mph speed limit with no loss of roadway parking. In support of the petition, the petitioners raised their concerns and suggestions which included the following:-

 

·         Petitioners believed that traffic calming measures implemented in Cuckoo Hill had severely impacted on Catlins Lane and Chamberlain Way creating a dangerous traffic situation as a large number of vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, were using these roads as a 'rat run' to avoid humps and speed restrictions in Cuckoo Hill;

·         Much of the vehicular traffic in Chamberlain Way was associated with residents, driving school vehicles, Harlyn School parents and delivery traffic;

·         It was confirmed that Catlins Lane was considered to be a dangerous road with a number of blind bends;

·         There were increasing numbers of speeding vehicles and several accidents had occurred; cars had been damaged and petitioners expressed concern that there could potentially be a fatal accident;

·         2 speed surveys had been conducted - one in 2013 and one in 2016 -but to date no action had been taken following these;

·         In 2016, 15,000 vehicles were surveyed; 40% of which were found to be travelling at a speed in excess of the 30mph speed limit;

·         Petitioners believed that the creation of a 20mph zone along these roads would discourage dangerous driving. They also requested that a stretch of pavement along the road be repaired as a part of it was damaged at present.

 

Councillor Duncan Flynn attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition, expressing concern regarding the volume of traffic and safety issues in Catlins Lane and Chamberlain Way. Councillor Flynn drew attention to the existence of the driving test centre at the bottom of Tolcarne Drive and stated that this further exacerbated traffic issues. He also noted that Harlyn School had doubled in size which had created extra traffic pressures. Councillor Flynn stated that Catlins Lane was a steep, narrow rural feeling road with poor lighting and blind turns; there had been quite a few minor accidents and near-misses along the road. It was also mentioned that there was also, in some places, no proper footway for pedestrians to walk along which was another area of concern.

 

Councillor John Morgan also spoke in support of the petitioners stating that Catlins Lane had originally been constructed to serve a local farm and was not suited to the volume of traffic using it. He felt it was important that measures be taken to slow down or divert the traffic in Catlins Lane and Chamberlain Way.

 

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners, thanked them for submitting such a detailed petition and responded to the points raised. He noted that the recent speed survey had shown that 40% of vehicles were found to be exceeding the speed limit which meant that 60% of vehicles were travelling at an acceptable speed. It was important to look at the police KSI accident data which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Petition Requesting an Extension to the Operational Times of the South Ruislip Parking Management Scheme in Rydal Way, Ruislip pdf icon PDF 576 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents of Rydal Way, Ruislip requesting an extension to the operational times of the South Ruislip parking management scheme. In support of the petition, petitioners raised their concerns and made suggestions as follows:

 

1.    The current operational times were 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.  Residents requested that these hours be extended to 9am to 9pm Monday - Sunday. 

2.    Petitioners expressed concern regarding the large number of vans, trucks, lorries and mini-buses that were parking in Rydal Way after 5pm on working days and at weekends. These vehicles blocked residents' views and stopped them from parking outside their homes.

3.    The vans and trucks often parked inconsiderately, blocking driveways and protruding over kerbs and pathways.

 

Councillor Kauffman attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He reiterated the petitioners' comments stating that a large number of industrial vehicles regularly parked in side roads in the area in question, including at weekends. Rydal Way was close to South Ruislip station which exacerbated the problem.

 

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised, confirming that any vehicles over 5 tonnes maximum gross weight should not be left in residential roads overnight. There were already signs displayed in the area to this effect. Officers confirmed that residents would not be able to apply for a resident's permit for a vehicle of that size. Councillor Burrows explained to the petitioners that all friends and visitors would need to display a voucher when visiting residents of Rydal Way in the evenings and at weekends if the operational times were extended. He also clarified the fact that Civil Enforcement Officers worked until 10pm and any vehicles in the area found not to be displaying a permit would be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Councillor Burrows explained that residents of Rydal Way would be consulted on the issue and it was vital that everyone responded to ensure that their views were taken into account. Consultation notices would be hand-delivered to residents who would be given approximately 21 days to reply. It was confirmed that the consultation would take place in the New Year.

 

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

 

1)    considered the request for the operational times of the South Ruislip Parking Management Scheme to be extended in Rydal Way, Ruislip;

 

2)    asked officers to add the request for an extension to the operational times of the parking scheme in Rydal Way, Ruislip to the Council's future parking scheme programme for informal consultation with residents.

 

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 

 

These were discussed with petitioners.

 

 

 

25.

Petition Requesting a Review of the Parking Situation in Portman Gardens, Hillingdon pdf icon PDF 389 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting a review of the parking situation in Portman Gardens, Hillingdon. In support of the petition, the petitioners expressed their concerns and made suggestions including the following:

 

·         Residents from 23 of the 24 houses in the cul de sac had signed the petition;

·         Portman Gardens was a 15 minute walk from Hillingdon Station and was regularly being used for commuter parking;

·         Commercial vehicles were also parking in Portman Gardens overnight;

·         Many of the surrounding streets already had waiting restrictions in place.

 

Councillor Raymond Graham attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. Councillor Graham acknowledged that parking in Portman Gardens was a problem and confirmed that commercial vehicles often parked there overnight.

 

Councillor George Cooper also attended and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition, explaining that residents in Portman Gardens were the victims of 'parking drift'.

 

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He requested clarification regarding the current parking situation in Portman Gardens and was advised that most houses had off-street parking. Councillor Burrows outlined the options available to the residents including limited time waiting restrictions which would dispel commuters but would also impact on residents who wished to park on the road. Alternative options outlined were a parking management scheme, either with parking bays or with signage at the entrance to the cul de sac indicating residents' parking permit holders only past this point. It was explained that the latter option would operate in the same way as a full parking management scheme with permits and vouchers for visitors but would not include marked bays in the road. This option would also be quicker to put into operation as there would be no need to design parking bays. Double yellow lines could also be painted along a section of the road as part of a scheme if requested. It was confirmed that one permit and a book of ten vouchers for visitors would be issued to each house free of charge if this option was chosen; additional permits would cost £40 each. Schemes were usually in operation between the hours of 9am - 5pm but this was negotiable. The petitioners were informed that a consultation document would be hand-delivered to them early in the New Year and it was vital that all residents responded to ensure their views were taken into consideration.

 

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

 

1)    considered the request for a review of current parking arrangements in Portman Gardens, Hillingdon;

 

2)    asked officers to add the request for a review of the parking in Portman Gardens, Hillingdon to the Council's future parking scheme programme for further investigation and informal consultation with residents 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 / risk management 

 

These were discussed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Petition to Improve Safety of the Crossing at the Junction of the Greenway and Cleveland Road, Uxbridge pdf icon PDF 365 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting that the safety of the crossing at the junction of The Greenway and Cleveland Road, Uxbridge be improved. No petitioners were present at the meeting to speak in support of the petition.  It was confirmed that a study of the wider area had already been commissioned as a result of a previous petition submitted in May.

 

Councillor Cooper attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition stating that traffic on The Greenway had increased significantly in recent years. Reference was also made to the vast increase in student numbers at Brunel University which had changed the volume of pedestrian and cycle traffic in the area. Councillor Cooper stated that the existing pedestrian crossing was largely ignored and was not an effective safety measure; students and other pedestrians and cyclists often preferred to cross at the busy junction instead.

 

Councillor Roy Chamdal also attended the meeting as Ward Councillor and agreed that changes were required to make the junction safe as it was currently very dangerous.

 

Finally, Councillor Brian Stead attended the meeting as Ward Councillor and spoke in support of the petition, stating that the junction was very dangerous both for pedestrians and cyclists; particularly as part of the kerb was missing.

 

Councillor Burrows responded to the points raised stating that all the information would be fed into the ongoing study; however, he noted that the request for a Tiger Crossing would not be feasible. On receipt of the results of the study, a meeting would be held with Ward Councillors to discuss the next steps.

 

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the Ward Councillors, the Cabinet Member:

 

1.    Considered the petitioners' concerns and listened to the Ward Councillors' concerns regarding the safety of crossing The Greenway and Cleveland Road for pedestrians and cyclists;

 

2.    Noted the previous petition heard in May 2017;

 

3.    Considered the present request in conjunction with other recent petitions and individual requests associated with The Greenway;

 

4.    Noted the results of recent traffic surveys undertaken in the area;

 

5.    Asked officers to use the information provided in the petition and the Ward Councillors' testimony to inform the ongoing study on the wider issues raised along The Greenway and report back to him.

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

To give the Cabinet Member the opportunity to discuss in detail the petitioners' concerns. To investigate in further detail the request by petitioners.

 

Alternative options considered / risk management

 

None.