Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

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

Councillor Douglas Mills attended the meeting and spoke as a Ward Councillor.

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

·         Due to parents dropping off, or picking up, children at Lady Bankes School, residents have experienced gridlocked traffic, parents parking on dropped kerbs, not using the one-way system and waiting outside homes with engines running, leading to parking and pollution concerns;

·         Cameras introduced to stop parents parking on the zig-zagged lines outside the school have worked well, but the single yellow line between the zig-zagged lines, which was requested by the school for coaches, remains a problem, as parents park on it and often the coach cannot get down the road due to traffic;

·         At certain times, residents find it difficult to park outside their own homes and do not wish to go out as a result of this, and residents have also been verbally abused by parents if they ask them to move their cars;

·         Dawlish Drive is also used for commuter parking;

·         Residents would like clarification on the timings of operation of the zig-zagged and yellow lines, and also requested consideration of a Residents’ Parking Scheme to avod a serious accident taking place; and,

·         Any solutions from officers, the school, residents or parents would be welcome.

Councillor Mills, Ward Councillor for Manor, noted that parking issues are getting worse in Dawlish Drive and a solution is warranted. However, he cautioned that the introduction of parking controls in one road can have a ‘domino effect’ upon other roads, and felt it would be wise to begin with some small steps that would address specific concerns presented by the petitioners. One possible measure would be to revisit parking arrangements on the junction with Dulverton Road, as coaches cannot turn into the road due to traffic. There is also a trend of parents leaving the car engines on while they wait, which is damaging to the environment, but a London-wide standard to educate and enforce on this may be necessary.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling confirmed that Cabinet had looked at the issue of idling engines outside school at the last meeting and a standard across London was being sought.

The Head of Transport and Town Centre Projects noted that signage for the single yellow lines would be checked and the Cabinet Member confirmed that the schools in the area were very proactive in working alongside the Council’s School Travel Teams.

The Cabinet Member stated that, as noted in the officer’s report, when the single yellow line was introduced, many residents were concerned a parking management scheme would be introduced, so a consultation was necessary before any steps could be taken, and also noted that a review of the junction between Dawlish Drive and Dulverton Road would be necessary.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.    Listened to the petitioner’s request for the introduction of “residents’ permit only parking” scheme for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Councillor Douglas Mills attended the meeting and spoke as a Ward Councillor.

The Lead Petitioner was in attendance at the meeting and noted a number of concerns, including the following:

·         Over 100 petitioners had signed the petition which sought a solution for a long-standing issue regarding the traffic flow on Chelston Road and Chelston Approach;

·         Due to on-street parking, buses struggled to manoeuvre through gaps to drive their route, and there has also been speeding, road rage, and standstill traffic caused by inconsiderate driving;

·         Residents have reported accidents, damage to cars, walls and fences knocked down or damaged, and many incidents are not reported as damage as drivers do not stop;

·         Residents do not park on their own street as they are concerned the road is not safe to park on; and,

·         Any solution would be welcome, but residents want to prevent an accident.

Councillor Mills, Ward Councillor for Manor, noted that the petitioner had described the problems well, and stated that speed bumps are not a popular solution due to emergency services access, but it was agreed that there was too much traffic and parking on one side of the road only exacerbated traffic problems.

The Cabinet Member read out written comments submitted by Councillor Markham, Ward Councillor for Manor, who also warned against traffic calming measures.

The petitioners noted that traffic surveys were necessary in the area, and agreed the location that these surveys would take place with the lead petitioner and Councillor Mills.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.    Listened to the petitioners’ request for traffic calming measures in Chelston Road and Chelston Approach, Ruislip; and,

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

The lead petitioner was in attendance at the meeting, and the petitioners noted a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         Long-term parking in the public car park was being sought in conjunction with new time limited parking in the High Street (maximum two hours);

·         Residents requested enhanced enforcement of all parking restrictions and improved signage to the car park;

·         The public car park is currently underused, and the inclusion of the name suggests it is private parking, which misleads some local residents – better signage would be very helpful;

·         Signs to the car park are inadequate or covered by foliage; and,

·         Local Ward Councillors support the petitioners’ requests.

The Ward Councillors for Harefield, Councillor Higgins and Councillor Palmer, both submitted written submissions to the Cabinet Member as they were attending different meetings, and these letters stated their support for the petitioners’ requests.

The Cabinet Member stated that signage to, and at, the public car park should be reviewed and also noted that any parking violations should be reported.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.    Listened to the petitioners’ suggestions for improvements to the current on and off-street parking provision, in and around High Street, Harefield;

2.    Noted the high level of engagement between the Council, local residents’ groups including the HTRA and HS2, but also the significant concerns shared by many residents and the Council;

3.    Noted the improvement that the Council’s Community Engagement and Town Centre Improvement Team have undertaken in High Street, Harefield;

4.    Noted that officers are in the process of designing a “Stop and Shop” parking scheme for High Street, Harefield, for consultation;

5.    Considered any suggestions put forward by the petitioners for possible addition to the programme for further investigation;

6.    Requested officers review signage in the public carpark and report back to the Cabinet Member; and,

7.    Requested officers relay reported current parking violations in High Street, Harefield, particularly at school time, to the Parking Enforcement Team.

Councillor Brian Stead attended the meeting and spoke as a Ward Councillor.

The Lead Petitioner was in attendance at the meeting, and noted a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         A safer crossing was required on Harlington Road between the two existing crossings, preferably where steps from the alleyway near Harlington Road meet the road proper;

·         Cars do not stop for pedestrians, and this is unsafe for children, so a safe spot was required to cross; and,

·         Speed is not the issue, but an unwillingness to stop is, and there are major concerns for the safety of children due to this.

Councillor Stead, Ward Councillor for Brunel, noted his agreement with the petitioners, and stated that a crossing would benefit residents and also help control speed, as cars will slow as they approach the crossing.

The Cabinet Member read out written submissions from the other Ward Councillors, Councillor Chamdal and Councillor Mills, both who stated their support for the residents’ petition.

Councillor Burrows noted that any request for a new crossing must be agreed by an independent national safety audit, and this must be considered in any timeframe for the crossing.

The Lead Petitioner and Councillor Stead agreed the locations for speed and traffic surveys that were necessary to better understand the volume of traffic that passes on Harlington Road, and encouraged residents to contact the local school to ask for their input to any consultation.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.    Considered the request for a zebra crossing on Harlington Road, Hillingdon, close to Turks Close;

2.    Asked officers to add the petitioners’ request to the Council’s Road Safety Programme for further detailed investigation; and,

3.    Asked officers to commission independent speed and traffic surveys at the locations agreed by the petitioners and local ward councillors and then report back to the Cabinet Member.

Councillor Lynne Allen was in attendance as a local Ward Councillor.

The Lead Petitioner was in attendance at the meeting and stated a number of concerns and suggestions, including the following:

·         Parents stopping to pick-up and drop-off children are damaging cards, preventing emergency services’ access, parking inconsiderately and using allocated space and have been abusive to residents;

·         There was no signage or enforcement on the road;

·         The school rebuild will lead to even more children being dropped off by parents; and,

·         Permit parking or a barrier would be welcomed by residents.

Councillor Lynne Allen, Ward Councillor for Townfield, supported the local residents’ petition but also understood that it was a difficult situation for both sides, noting that several years ago she had suggested a stop and drop zone at the school, but this was not implemented. As the school is currently undergoing another redesign, Councillor Allen stated that this should be the perfect time to liaise with the School Expansion Team to ensure that “stop and drop” arrangements could be put in place either by using the school’s car park or another area in the school grounds.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that as the car parking areas within Bourton Close was private, it was not possible for the Council to enforce parking restrictions there, and this must be done by any private enforcement contractor that the landowners might appoint for the purpose.

Councillor Burrows noted that it would be important to avoid a domino effect that could lead to further parking issues in the Borough, but confirmed that there would be consultation with the Ward Councillors and a letter would be sent to the school to try to engage to find a solution.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.    Listened to the petitioners’ request for measures to prevent school parent parking in Bourton Close at school pick-up and drop-off times;

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;

3.    Noted that the private parking areas in Bourton Close would not be enforced by the Council’s parking enforcement contractor;

4.    Asked that ward councillors seek to engage with the school to encourage them to work with the Council’s Road Safety and School Travel Team;

5.    Asked Officers to speak to the School Expansion Team to look into “stop and drop” parking arrangements, as suggested by Ward Councillors, and report back to the Cabinet Member; and,

6.    Asked Officers to prepare a letter to be sent to the School in his name to encourage improved collaboration with the Council’s School Travel and Road Safety Team.