Agenda and minutes

None.

It was confirmed that all items were marked as Part I, and would therefore be considered in public.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting traffic calming measures on West End Lane and Field Close, Harlington. The petitioner addressed the Cabinet Member, and raised the following points:

·         Vehicles speeding down West End Lane is a significant issue.

·         The Pheasant Inn, a local pub and restaurant, is very popular. However, as the car park is often full, patrons park on the road which means that vehicles travelling the road cannot pass each other freely and safely.

·         Vehicles parked on the pavements force pedestrians into the road.

·         The area is populated by children and families, dog walkers and the elderly, and people are often using their front gardens, so are at risk of an accident due to a car losing control.

·         Neighbours have raised concerns that the issue is getting worse.

·         Motorcyclists who race in nearby fields spill onto the road, increasing the risk of an accident.

Councillor Money, Ward Councillor for Heathrow Villages, addressed the Cabinet Member. Key points highlighted included:

·         Children and families often walk to and from nearby schools.

·         Residents have complained that vehicles are travelling too fast.

·         Patrons of the Pheasant Inn regularly double park or mount the kerb, which is dangerous to other road users or pedestrians.

·         The collision statistics are low, but not all accidents are being reported through the Police database.

·         A speed survey, double yellow lines, raised tables and increased police patrols could help to address the issues referred to.

Councillor Milani, Ward Councillor for Heathrow Villages, addressed the Cabinet Member. Key points highlighted included:

·         Taxi parking on the road was a further issue, which contributed to cars having to cross into the opposite lane, as well as an increased level of waste being left behind.

·         Often the taxis would park with their lights off which, in the dark, could lead to accidents.

·         It was suggested that actions should be taken proactively, to avoid a serious incident.

Councillor Nelson, Ward Councillor for Heathrow Villages, confirmed that she supported the points raised by the petitioner and her fellow Ward Councillors.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and ward Councillors, and responded to the points raised. In considering the matter, Councillor Burrows moved the following recommendations:

RESOLVED:

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Listened to their request for traffic calming measures in West End Lane and Field Close, Harlington; and

2.    Asked officers to undertake traffic surveys, at locations agreed by the petitioner and Ward Councillors, and then report back to the Cabinet Member before any decisions were made on any possible traffic calming measures.

Reason for decisions

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

Alternative options considered / risk management

None at this stage.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting measures to reduce speeding on Queens Walk, South Ruislip. The petitioner addressed the Cabinet Member, and raised the following points:

·         Speeding vehicles is an ongoing problem, particularly within the ‘fast’ section of the road, between Torcross Road and East Mead, at the junction with the Queens Walk Medical Centre.

·         Queens Walk is now a cut-through from Field End Road to Station Approach, exacerbating the problem.

·         The road narrowing gaps installed in Queens Walk had done nothing to prevent speeding issues in that section of the road.

·         Schoolchildren use Queens Walk as a thoroughfare when travelling to and from one of the three nearby schools.

·         Parents also drive their children to and from school, resulting in parking increasing on both sides of the road, in both the morning and afternoon.

·         Due to this parking, the gap on the road is insufficient to allow two cars to pass each other safety.

·         A death occurred on the road some years ago, and recent speeding accidents have been serious in nature.

·         The Council’s installed automatic traffic counts had proven insufficient in curbing driver speed.

·         Residents are frustrated by the issue, and suggest the following potential measures:

o   Raised tables at three strategic points along the ‘fast’ section of Queens Walk;

o   Make Queens walk a 20mph zone via fixed road speed ,limit signage and sprays.

Councillor Barnes, Ward Councillor for Cavendish, addressed the Cabinet Member. Points highlighted included:

·         An accident on 17 April 2018 occurred when an elderly driver lost control of his car and mounted the pavement, striking a tree and wall, before finishing upside down in a resident’s driveway. No pedestrians were hurt, though this was lucky as the area was often used by frequent dog walkers.

·         Similarly, on 9 April 2018, a young driver lost control of his car and crashed into a resident’s parked car so hard that he pushed the vehicle from the road and into a resident’s garden. Again, it was luck that no one was hurt, though the resident and family were very distressed by the incident.

·         Most recently, a third incident occurred on 9 October 2018, when a young boy crossing at Oxford Drive was hit by a speeding motorist. The boy suffered a broken leg.

·         Ward Councillors and residents would like to see changes made, in line with the suggestions made by the petitioner. Speed surveys had shown that the average 85% speed was at or below 30mph. The particular stretch of Queens Walk is uphill, with a bend moving into a downhill section. Speed of vehicles is regularly changing throughout that section, and driving at or close to 30ph, while within the speed limit, can be dangerous on that section of the road.

·         The measures suggested by the petitioner, including raised tables and speed signage, was supported by all Ward Councillors.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. In considering the matter, Councillor Burrows  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting a pelican crossing close to Roker Park Avenue. The petitioner addressed the Cabinet Member, and raised the following points:

·         The Roker Park bus stop was a busy area. Alternative crossing points further up the road were not used.

·         The density of traffic, (particularly in the morning and evening), the speed of traffic, and the volume of traffic, meant that pedestrians could not easily and safely cross the road.

·         Often, people were having to wait a substantial amount of time in order to cross the road.

·         A recently developed block of flats had increased the number of residents within the area. Elderly people also lived within the area.

Councillor Hensley, Ward Councillor for Ickenham, was unable to attend the petition hearing. However, Cllr Hensley submitted a written statement that Councillor Burrows read on his behalf. Key points included:

·         Swakeleys Road, like other roads in Ickenham, had seen a significant rise in traffic, particularly with the onset of HS2.

·         There is a need for a crossing point as indicated by petitioners, but also at the junction of Swakeleys Road and Long Lane.

·         It is suggested that a wider pedestrian audit be carried out for Ickenham Ward. A recent closure of Breakspear Road South had resulted in a detrimental impact on traffic flows, air pollution and pedestrian movement. Police had recently been called to Court Road to address reckless and dangerous driving.

·         The audit should be carried out as early as possible to address traffic issues and air pollution (and its associated impact on resident health).

·         It was noted that slowing or halting traffic in Swakeleys Road would have an impact on traffic congestion on Harvil Road and Breakspear Road South.

Councillor Burrows addressed the petitioner and Councillor Hensley’s comments. Regarding the audit suggested by Councillor Hensley, Councillor Burrows confirmed that if appropriate, HS2 would be expected to carry out such an audit under the terms of their HS2 agreement.

In considering the matter, Councillor Burrows moved the following recommendations:

RESOLVED: 

Meeting with petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Considered their request for a Pelican Crossing on Swakeleys Road close to Roker Park Avenue, Ickenham;

2.    Noted the outcome of previous investigations which concluded that a non signal-controlled crossing was not viable;

3.    Decided that the request should be added to the Council’s extensive road safety programme for further discussion with Transport for London, who are responsible for the installation and maintenance of all signalised pedestrian crossings across London;

4.    Noted the likely impact of HS2 construction traffic on Swakeleys Road over the near term, and asked officers to raise the matter with HS2; and

5.    Asked officers to conduct pedestrian counts at areas identified by the petitioner, before reporting back to the Cabinet Member.

Reason for decisions

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

Alternative options considered / risk management

None at this stage.