Agenda and minutes

Councillor Peter Curling declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 7 - Retention of Mount Road/Coldharbour Lane bus stop in Hayes, as he was a member of the Hayes Town Centre Stakeholder Working Group (a non decision making body that had been consulted on the regeneration of Hayes Town), and remained in the room during the consideration thereof.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered in public.

A Ward Councillor had written in support of the petitioners' request to make the bay outside UK Cottages residents parking only.  The Councillor hoped that it would now go ahead as a previous request had been stopped at the last minute due to a further petition against the proposal being submitted by residents of the Cottages.

Concerns and suggestions from petitioners included the following:

• Parking had become an increasing problem for residents of UK Cottages.
• The parking bay in front of the Cottages was used by non residents, causing inconvenience to residents.
• There was nowhere close by for residents to park if the bay was fully occupied.
• The problem had been compounded by the amount of building work that was currently taking place in the surrounding area.
• Elderly residents and those with children were being inconvenienced due to the parking by non residents. 
• Customers visiting the Woolpack Public House often parked in the bay as they were charged to park in the pub car park.
• The bus stop was also a concern as often people parked in the bays all day and caught the bus to Heathrow.
• Petitioners requested that parking bays outside UK Cottages be for residents only.

The Cabinet Member asked the petitioner that, as there had been an earlier petition making the same request for it only to be stopped in the latter stages of the scheme being implemented, what had dramatically changed for this further request being made.  The petitioner advised that, due to the increasing developments that were now taking place in the area, the parking problems would only increase; this was why the latest petition had been submitted.

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Keith Burrows, listened to the concerns and explained that parking schemes were often limited to 5 pm or 10 pm as the Parking Enforcement Officers only worked until 10 pm, so no enforcement would take place after this time.  However, residents asked for the scheme to operate 24/7.

Officers explained how the permit scheme worked and what the cost implications would be for residents, blue badge holders would be exempt from being ticketed.  Permits would only be valid in the area that the resident lived. 

The petitioners asked if the scheme would include both bays, as they were both used by residents.  The Cabinet Member stated that he would ask officers to investigate having both bays included in the parking scheme.

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Member:

1. listened to the petitioners concerns with the current parking arrangements outside UK Cottages.

2. decided that the request for a Parking Management Scheme should be added to the extensive parking scheme programme for formal consultation on a previously developed detailed design and asked officers to investigate the use of both bays in the scheme.

Councillor Brian Stead attended the meeting and spoke as a Ward Councillor.  Councillor Mills had submitted an email in support of the petitioners' request.

Concerns and suggestions from petitioners included the following:

• Residents had been advised that a review of the parking scheme would take place after a year but alleged that this had not been done.
• The road was often blocked to large vehicles, ambulances and fire engines, etc., as at the beginning of the road, there were bays on one side and a yellow line on the other side of the road.
• The current scheme allowed residents to park across their driveways, which meant that other vehicles could also park there without getting a parking ticket.
• Parking enforcement officers would not ticket vehicles even when driveways had been registered with the London Borough of Hillingdon.
• The current parking scheme needed to be reviewed as permission had been granted for a new supermarket on the basis of there being unrestricted parking in front of the shops.
• Residents' driveways were being used by cars entering Copperfield Avenue to turn and then park or wait in the road, whilst they or their passengers visited the shops.
• Residents had undertaken a survey of vehicles entering and entering and parking Copperfield Avenue from Pield Heath Road and turning into the shops.  Those entering from Pield Heath Road and parking was 1,333 and traffic entering and parking in Copperfield Avenue for the shops/hospital/other was 2,429.
• Residents suggested the following possible solutions:

·         removal of the yellow line to allow footway parking or design the road to stop vehicles parking along one side Copperfield Avenue.

·         removal of the white access bat marking across driveways and replaced by yellow lines.

·         restriction of parking in front of the shops so that the bays could only be used by customers during opening hours.

·         Extension of resident parking hours to include weekends.

A Ward Councillor spoke in support of the petitioners’ request and raised the following issues:

• The Ward Councillors supported the residents request for a review of the parking management scheme.
• Copperfield Avenue was a unique road in that the parking problem was mainly at the bottom of the road by the shops.
• A survey showed that some residents might not support a change to the current parking arrangements as they were not affected.
• Asked if the road could be split into two areas.

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Keith Burrows, listened to the concerns and stated that the road would not be able to split into two areas, as it would be difficult to identify a cut off point.  There would be a possibility to extend the hours of operation.  The Cabinet Member noted that the current scheme provided continuous bays and that this was not working for residents.  There may be a possibility of putting in individual bays, which would restrict the amount of parking and the parking in front of driveways, which currently occurred.

It was explained, that if the hours of operation were extended to 7  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Councillors Lynne Allen and Peter Curling attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions from petitioners included the following:

• Over the past two years the parking problem had increased in East Walk.
• Courier vans and lorries parked on both sides of the road, causing problems for residents both entering and exiting their driveways; this occurred on a daily basis.
• Emergency and delivery vehicles had difficulty in accessing the road.
• Transport picking up disabled children was unable to access the road and would not now pick them up so were not now attending school.
• Smaller refuse vehicles were now being used due to larger vehicles being unable to access East Walk.
• Parking occurred in the turning head so there was nowhere for residents to turn round or reverse out of their driveways.
• Pedestrians were unable to use the footpaths because of parked vehicles.
• Vehicles parked up to the dropped kerb at entrance to driveways.
• Advised that 95% of properties in East Walk had off street parking.
• Residents' cars had been being damaged by having to mount the kerb to enter and exit their off street parking.
• Petitioners suggested that the continuation of the yellow lines or bar markings to protect resident's driveways needed to be installed.

Ward Councillors spoke in support of the petitioners’ request and raised the following issues:

• They had visited the area on a number of occasions over a 4 to 5 week period at different times of the day and were amazed at how cars managed to exit East Walk.
• The speed of traffic in the road was a danger for the children that lived there. 
• Ward Councillors had spoken to residents in the road and no-one was against what was being suggested.
• It was suggested that what was being proposed by the residents was reasonable and responsible to provide respite to the residents.
• They expressed concern that emergency and refuse vehicles were unable to access the road and that delivery vehicles often had to park at the end of the road and carry goods down.

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Keith Burrows, listened to the concerns and acknowledged that there were clear parking issues in East Walk. 

Officers explained that any restrictions implemented in East Walk would apply to everyone, which would include all residents and their visitors.  Once officers had developed a proposal, residents would be consulted on options and it would be up to them to ensure that the consultation documents were returned. 

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Member:

1.    listened to the concerns of the petitioners regarding parking in East Walk, Hayes.

2.    asked officers to add the request to the Council’s extensive parking programme and develop proposals for formal consultation.

Councillors attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions from petitioners included the following:

• The bus stop provided a lot of trade to the shops in the local area.
• If the bus stop was removed, less people would visit the shop, which would mean a loss of donations being received and affect the research the charity could achieve.
• It would be a long walk to the shop for older customers and volunteers who worked in the shop.
• Petitioners queried what business Coldharbour Lane shops would get once Hayes Town Centre had been open to through traffic.
• Requested that the bus stop remained in its current position so all businesses could receive a share of the regeneration of Hayes Town.

Ward Councillors spoke in relation to the petitioners’ request and raised the following issues:

• As a member of the Hayes Town Centre Stakeholder Working Group, which had been consulted on the regeneration of Hayes Town, one Ward Councillor found himself in a difficult position.  He had sympathy with the petitioners request but there had been a considerable discussion on the bus stop and its location.
• It was recognised that the current bus stop was not up to required TfL accessibility guidelines and the regeneration of Hayes Town Centre had enabled this to take place.
• It was noted that representatives of the Older Peoples Assembly had requested that the bus stop and seating be provided closer to the Salvation Army Hall.
• The possibility of making the existing bus stop more compliant had been far more difficult than it first appeared.
• The bus stop served the shops, school and leisure centre nearby.
• Coldharbour Lane at night was not an area that people wanted to pass through quickly because of the people who congregated in Coldharbour Lane.
• It was recognised that the design of the bus stop was important and shopkeepers wanted the bus stop to remain in its current position.
• Moving the bus stop would mean people having to carry their shopping further.
• It was asked whether consideration could be given to redesigning the bus stop in its current location. 

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Keith Burrows, listened to the concerns and explained that there had been considerable amount of documents, various events and adverts highlighting the proposals for the regeneration of Hayes Town Centre.  The consultation with stakeholders in Hayes had taken place over a 3 year period with leaflets being distributed to residents and businesses in the area. The decision on the proposals for regeneration had been agreed in December 2014 and works had started in February 2015.

The Cabinet Member explained that when, petitions were received, they came to a meeting to enable the Member to consider whether a decision made was correct, the reasons why and any evidence that may affect the decision already made.  In this case, the current bus stop needed to be upgraded as it did not meet TfL guidelines.  It was clear from the report that detailed regeneration plans had been widely consulted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Councillors Manjit Khatra, June Nelson and Peter Money attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions from petitioners included the following:

·         One petitioner had a business in the area so had a feel for the issues that residents were suffering and it was felt that the situation in the area had spiralled out of control over the last year.

·         There been an increased intensity and annoyance being suffered on a daily basis by residents and business in Spout Lane North and Bedfont Court.

·         The road was often blocked, which made it difficult for residents and businesses to gain access and exit the area.

·         The mini cab drivers parking in Spout Lane North and Bedfont Court had become verbally abusive.

·         Double yellow lines already installed had not bought much improvement, as the mini cab drivers did not respect them.

·         The mini cabs were often parked up for hours and were reluctant to move to enable access.

·         The problems being experienced often lasted late into the evening.

·         The underpass was a health hazard as it was used by the cab drivers as a public toilet, which remained un-cleaned for up to 4 days.

·         When the mini cab drivers were challenged they took no notice and laughed.

·         It was believed that the local authority needed to change its approach and put restrictive measures in place.  The implementation of restrictions would be an end to the abuse and anti social behaviour currently being endured by residents and businesses alike.

·         There needed to be more frequent visits made to the area to send a strong message to the mini cab drivers that their behaviour was not acceptable.

·         It was suggested that consideration be given to the installation of CCTV in the underpass.

·         Petitioners believed that, if the issue of parking was tackled, the other problems would be resolved.

·         The residents and business in Spout Lane and Bedfont Court were desperate for a resolution to the problems they suffered on a regular basis.

·         Petitioners expected Council / Police involvement as the problems were affecting the health and businesses of all who lived and worked in the area.

·         Residents and businesses need to feel protected and safe in going about their daily business.

Ward Councillors spoke in support of the petitioners’ request and raised the following issues:

• This was a desperate plea from residents and businesses as it was a very poor situation that they were currently suffering.
• There was a lot more going on in the area than the photographs highlighted.
• The introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order and the installation of double yellow lines would provide some reassurance to residents.
• The maintenance plan was underway but more needed to be done, especially with the clearing of the ditch.  There had not been much improvement carried out on the clearing of the ditch, which needed to be managed better to help to tackle the anti social behaviour.
• Emergency vehicles had not been able to gain access to Spout Lane North recently.
• Residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.