Agenda item

Councillors Dominic Gilham and Jan Sweeting attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors in support of the petition.  As Councillor Janet Duncan was unable to attend the meeting, she had provided a written statement which was read out by Councillor Keith Burrows.  All three Ward Members supported the petition. 

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• Residents were becoming increasingly frustrated, particularly over the last 2-3 years, by the over parking in Money Lane, with vehicles parked right up to the corners of Frays Close and Copse Close.  It was anticipated that this would also be affected by Crossrail;
• The volume of vehicles was thought to be caused, in part, by an off airport parking service which also resulted in increased traffic movement in the road through the day and night;
• The volume of parked vehicles also meant that some moving vehicles were having to drive on the wrong side of the road;
• As commercial vehicles were not permitted on the estate, they often parked in Money Lane.  Furthermore, the airport and West Drayton Station were in the vicinity which made the free parking in Money Lane more desirable;
• Although residents had originally suggested parking permits to resolve the issues that they faced, they would welcome alternative suggestions and a wider consultation with all households that would be affected by any proposal;
• It was noted that parking in the area around The Green was particularly bad but that the surrounding area would also need to be considered;
• Consideration was given to a one-way section being implemented at the pinch point in Money Lane as well as a 20mph limit outside the school.  Making all of Money Lane one way would be likely to increase the overall speed of traffic;
• It was noted that a number of residents had been in contact with the Council's ASBIT team and had been keeping diaries of incidents for over a year.  Double yellow lines had also been requested for Frays Close; and
• Many residents in Copse Close appeared to be of the opinion that the parking issues that they faced were being caused by the residents of Money Lane.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  He was mindful that any consultation undertaken would need to involve residents from other roads in the area.  Further investigation would be undertaken with regard to a section of the road being made one way, the implementation of a 20mph zone and the effectiveness of the School Travel Plan.  Officers were also asked to liaise with the ASBIT team. 

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    listened to their request for a Parking Management Scheme to be introduced in Money Lane. 

2.    decided that the request for a parking scheme could be added to the Council's future parking scheme programme for further investigation and more detailed consultation when resources permit.

3.    considered their request for a one-way working in Money Lane, noted the fact that this road serves a number of cul-de-sacs who would also undoubtedly have an opinion on such an idea, and, asked officers to add the petitioners' request to the forward Road Safety Programme for further investigation.

4.    asked officers to discuss the current situation with ASBIT in respect of possible airport parking in this area by a business associated to the airport. 

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

To allow the Cabinet Member to discuss with petitioners their concerns and, if appropriate, add their request to the parking and road safety forward programme.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

Options were discussed with the petitioners.