Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That all items of business be considered in public.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents objecting to the installation of parking restrictions in Parkway, Hillingdon. The petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

·         The lead petitioner had lived in the area for 8 or 9 years and had experienced no significant problems prior to the introduction of the current parking restrictions;

·         Previously, residents had been approached and asked to sign a petition requesting parking restrictions to limit the number of commuters parking along their street and travelling into London. However, they were expecting parking permits rather than yellow lines and had not fully understood the options set out in the consultation letter received from Council officers;

·         As a result of the first petition, yellow lines were installed in Parkway approximately two months previously. Consequently, the road was now empty of parked cars and parents of children at the local school were speeding down the road and driving dangerously at school pick up / drop off times;

·         Residents were no longer able to park their own cars outside their houses;

·         Court Park car park was overly full as residents and commuters were choosing to park there as they could no longer park along Parkway;

·         The Lead Petitioner had a video recording as evidence which he agreed to email to Steve Austin, Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Team Manager;

·         In summary, residents were very concerned about the speeding cars, the safety of pedestrians trying to cross the roads and the fact that they could no longer park outside their own houses. They were requesting a permit parking scheme to resolve these concerns.

Councillor Ray Graham attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He noted the concerns of the residents in relation to speeding cars, safety and the busy car park. Councillor Graham suggested that, in the short term, a 24/7 speed monitoring survey be undertaken to back up the residents' case.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of residents and responded to the points raised. He noted that a parking scheme in the area had been consulted on previously and 61% of residents had replied; this was a high return rate and 15 of 22 residents had opted for parking restrictions. However, Councillor Burrows also noted that residents had not fully understood what was being offered at the time and had expected permit parking rather than yellow lines. The permit parking scheme was explained to petitioners; if it went ahead they would receive one free permit and ten visitor vouchers per year. There would be an annual fee for additional permits. For clarification, the Cabinet Member advised petitioners to contact Council officers prior to completing their consultation forms to ensure full understanding of the options on offer. Petitioners were advised to encourage residents of Parkway to complete and return their forms to ensure their views were taken into account.

It was agreed that 24/7 traffic surveys would be completed. Steve Austin, Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting an extension to the Eastcote "Resident Only Parking" Scheme in Lowlands Road, Eastcote. The petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

·         Prior to 2008, Lowlands Road had been very quiet. However, when the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme was extended to include neighbouring roads such as Abbotsbury Gardens, the lower section of Lowlands Road had become the go to place for free all day parking - extensively used by commuters, shoppers and those visiting the tennis club;

·         Due to the volume of cars parked along the road, the turning into Lowlands Road from Devonshire / The Link was very dangerous;

·         It was difficult for residents to reverse on to and off their driveways;

·         Residents' guests were often obliged to park a considerable distance away due to the unavailability of parking in Lowlands Road;

·         Residents wanted the PMS to be extended to include their road with an operational period consistent with that in operation in the surrounding roads.

Councillor Ian Edwards attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He commented that displaced parking was an issue along Lowlands Road. The fact that Eastcote station was the last tube station in Zone 5 further exacerbated the problem and Eastcote had become an attractive area for commuters to park in. Councillor Edwards confirmed that he fully supported the petition and suggested that the consultation should cover a slightly wider area rather than focussing exclusively on the lower end of Lowlands Road.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of residents and responded to the points raised. He noted that an area-wide consultation was planned for the summer of 2019 which would consider parking management throughout Eastcote. It was suggested that the residents' request be incorporated into this wider summer plan. Ward Councillors would be required to confirm that they wanted the wider consultation to include the Lowlands Road area. Councillor Edwards agreed to liaise with the other Ward Councillors and email Steve Austin, Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Team Manager, with the required information.

RESOLVED -

Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:-

1.    Listened to their request for the extension to the Eastcote Parking Management Scheme for Lowlands Road, Eastcote;

2.    Asked officers to add the request to the Council's extensive parking programme for further informal consultation on options to manage parking in a possible area agreed with local Ward Councillors.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting a controlled parking zone in Hyde Way, Hayes. The petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

·         Hyde Way was a popular place to park as it was conveniently situated near Hayes and Harlington Station and a short distance from Heathrow Airport;

·         The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) was not yet open but already seemed to be having an impact on traffic levels;

·         Commercial vehicles were regularly parking along Hyde Way; particularly at the entrance to the road;

·         Surrounding roads had parking management schemes in operation already - this had a knock-on effect on Hyde Way as people chose to park there instead.

Councillor John Morse attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. In response to his questions, Steve Austin, Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Team Manager, confirmed that owners of vehicles over a certain size would not be allowed to participate in any parking management scheme. Councillor Morse stated that parking in Hyde Way was problematic, particularly due to the proximity of Heathrow Airport. He commented that he believed the parking situation would deteriorate further due to the advent of Crossrail. Councillor Morse supported the petition wholeheartedly.

Councillor Jazz Dhillon attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He confirmed that the problem in Hyde Way had been exacerbated by the success of the Fairey Avenue parking management scheme and queried whether other surrounding roads should be included in the informal consultation.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of residents and Ward Councillors and responded to the points raised. He noted that an extended parking scheme beyond Hyde Way was worthy of consideration and invited the Ward Councillors to discuss with residents which area should be covered.

The Ward Councillors agreed to discuss the matter further with residents and email Steve Austin, Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Team Manager, to clarify which roads to include in the scheme.

RESOLVED -

Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:-

1.    Listened to their request for a 'Controlled Parking Zone' for Hyde Way, Hayes;

2.    Asked officers to add the request to the Council's extensive parking programme for further informal consultation on options to manage parking in a possible area agreed with local Ward Councillors.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting improvements to the footway, double yellow lines and parking bays in Cranborne Waye and Wimborne Avenue, Hayes. Councillor Tony Eginton attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the petitioners. Concerns and suggestions raised included the following:

·         It was confirmed that Cranborne Waye was split by the bypass and the part to the west was the most problematic area;

·         Grass verges were being damaged and this was, in part, due to inconsiderate parking;

·         At night people often parked on both sides of the road - large vehicles found it difficult to pass and sometimes had to mount the grass verges;

·         Petitioners were requesting double yellow lines along one side of the road only;

·         The footpath was particularly bad on Wimborne Avenue where it was cracked and uneven in places;

·         It was confirmed that residents generally parked on the east side of the road.

Councillor Burrows listened to the petitioners' concerns as raised by the Ward Councillor and responded accordingly. He noted that the introduction of double yellow lines would start to protect the grass verges going forward. Officers would be asked to informally consult on the petitioners' request and also further explore the matter of the grass verges. It was agreed that Steve Austin, Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Team Manager, would ask the Highways team to liaise with Councillor Eginton to arrange a site visit.

RESOLVED -

Meeting with the Ward Councillor who was speaking on behalf of the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:-

1.    Listened to their request for improvements to the footway, double yellow lines and parking bays;

2.    Discussed with Councillor Eginton, on behalf of the petitioners, their request for double yellow lines and 'parking bays' and instructed officers to informally consult on the request for double yellow lines;

3.    Discussed with Councillor Eginton, on behalf of the petitioners, their concerns regarding the condition of the footways and instructed the Highways team to contact the Ward Councillor in order to arrange a site visit to explore this matter further.

The Cabinet Member considered a petition raised by Councillors Riley and Corthorne on behalf of residents requesting parking restrictions in the vicinity of Ruislip Lido. Councillor Riley highlighted residents' concerns and suggestions which included the following:

·         The petition had been raised following a particularly hot summer in 2018 when the Lido had been exceptionally busy;

·         A large number of local residents had contacted their Ward Councillors to raise concerns regarding the parking problems in the area;

·         Ward Councillors had agreed to lead the petition since 17 roads were affected;

·         All three West Ruislip Ward Councillors had visited the roads in question and universally supported the petition;

·         Due to the hot weather and the popularity of the Lido, roads had become gridlocked. In some instances cars had parked on both sides of the road making it very difficult for ambulances and emergency vehicles to pass;

·         Some visitors to the Lido had parked across, or even in, residents' driveways;

·         There had been some incidences of aggressive behaviour and arguments between visitors and residents;

·         The petitioners were requesting seasonal parking restrictions only; ideally tailored to individual roads as they did not all want the same thing;

·         Double yellow lines on street corners had been suggested but a parking management scheme had not been mentioned;

Councillor Philip Corthorne attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He noted that the problem had developed over a number of years but had been brought to a head due to the hot weather in 2018. Residents of Eastcote and East Ruislip Ward were also affected. Petitioners were requesting measures to tackle the problem backed up by enforcement and it was hoped something would be in place in time for summer 2019's busy period.

Councillor Devi Radia attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. She thanked the petitioners for attending and suggested that an informal consultation be undertaken for seasonal measures to combat the problem. Councillor Radia commented that the action needed to be taken sooner rather than later. The main concerns raised by residents she had spoken to included cars parking on both sides of the road and on corners and difficulties accessing driveways due to inconsiderate parking.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns raised by the Ward Councillors on behalf of the residents and responded to the points raised. He confirmed that he had also been contacted by residents on this topic and had been sent photographic and video evidence demonstrating that Council enforcement officers had been abused by visitors. Councillor Burrows asked Councillor Ian Edwards to email his concerns and suggestions directly to Steve Austin, Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and School Travel Team Manager, as he had no speaking rights at the meeting.  Councillors Riley and Corthorne commented that they were happy for comments from Eastcote and East Ruislip Councillors to be incorporated into their submission.

Councillors Burrows confirmed that he would meet officers on Monday 18 March 2019 to discuss this matter further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.