Agenda and minutes

None.

It was confirmed that all items would be considered in public.

Councillors Barnes and Makwana were in attendance as Ward Councillors for Cavendish.

The lead petitioner was in attendance, and stated a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         Parking in the road was very difficult, especially on Sundays, when there was often nowhere for residents to park as the nearby ‘Hot-Yoga Club’ was particularly busy running classes.

·         Nearby offices had recently been approved for conversion to residential use, with limited parking provision, which would further exacerbate the problem.

·         The issues was not contained to Woodlands Avenue, but also affected nearby roads such as Sunningdale Avenue, Newnham Avenue and Windermere Avenue.

·         Although the petition had requested a 24/7 parking scheme, the report’s  suggestion of 9am to 10pm everyday would be acceptable.

Councillor Barnes spoke as Ward Councillor and supported the points raised by the petitioner. Councillor Barnes added that any new parking scheme would need refreshed signage, as the existing signs in the area were incorrect.

The Cabinet Member responded to the points raised and moved the recommendations as set out in the report. The Cabinet Member instructed officers that the nearby areas, referenced above, should be included within any future consultation.

RESOLVED: 

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Listened to their request for the operational times of the Parking Management Scheme in Woodlands Avenue to be extended to ‘at all times’; and

2.    Decided that the request for an extension to operational times of the parking scheme in Woodlands Avenue, and any other roads in the immediate surrounding area, should be added to the Council’s future parking scheme programme for informal consultation with residents.

Reasons for recommendations

To allow the Cabinet Member to consider petitioners’ concerns and, if appropriate, add their request to the parking schemes programme.

Alternative options considered / risk management

None.

Councillors Farley and Oswell were in attendance as Ward Councillors for Botwell.

The lead petitioner was in attendance, and stated a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         Parking in the area was a significant issue. Often, residents were unable to exit their driveways safely as nearby parked cars resulted in a loss of visibility.

·         Parking issues were exacerbated due to several houses of multiple occupancy, and commuters who parked in the road before using the nearby public transport.

·         The road was a bus route, and buses often struggled to navigate the road due to parked cars on both sides of the road.

·         The road included a park entrance often used by children, and the poor visibility due to parked cars was a danger to them.

·         Drivers used the road as a through-road, and often travelled at excessive speed.

·         Nearby junctions were dangerous owing to speed of cars and poor visibility.

Councillor Oswell spoke as Ward Councillor, and reiterated the points raised by the petitioner. Councillor Oswell highlighted that the issue of ‘rat-running’ had been going on for years, and was getting worse. Councillor Oswell requested that something be done, and suggested that the area could be designated as a Controlled Parking Zone.

Councillor Farley spoke as Ward Councillor, and reiterated the points raised by both the petitioner and Councillor Oswell. Councillor Farley highlighted that vehicles were often speeding in the road, which made it very dangerous, especially at junctions.

The Cabinet Member read a statement from Ward Councillor Gardner, who was unable to attend the meeting in person. In her statement, Councillor Gardner highlighted the road’s use as a ‘rat run’ for drivers seeking to avoid the Uxbridge Road, as well as the speeding of vehicles from Uxbridge Road through Angel Lane along the Kingsway, before their re-joining of the Uxbridge Road via West Drayton. Councillor Gardner suggested that this issue would also likely affect the adjacent Ward, Brunel.

The Cabinet Member responded to the points raised, and moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Listened to their request for traffic calming measures and a residents’ parking scheme;

2.    Asked officers to undertake traffic surveys, at locations agreed by petitioners and Ward Councillors, and to then report back to the Cabinet Member; and

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

Reasons for recommendations

To allow the Cabinet Member to hear directly from the petitioners of their concerns and suggestions.

Alternative options considered / risk management

None.

The item was deferred to a future petition hearing.