Agenda item

Sussex Road, Ickenham - Petition Opposing the Introduction of a Residents' Permit Parking Scheme

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents of Sussex Road, Ickenham opposing the introduction of a residents' permit parking scheme. In support of the petition, the petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

 

·         Petitioners confirmed that the initial consultation to set up a parking scheme in Ickenham started in 2014. In 2016, the parking scheme was implemented across all of the estate, with the exception of Austins Lane, Tavistock Road, and Sussex Road.

·         The proposed resident parking was not relevant to the cul de sac of Sussex Road

·         There were no parking problems in Sussex Road, particularly between 9 - 5, when most people were at work.

·         The only exception was between 3 - 4:30 when parents were collecting their children from school. This was not an issue as parents still needed to collect their children from school. Most children lived outside of the area. Glebe School was not in favour of the parking scheme.

·         Most of the cars that parked on Sussex Road belonged to residents and there was enough parking for visitors and residents.

·         Sussex Road was not close to Ickenham station so commuters did not usually use this road as free parking.

·         There is temporary disruption on the road due to building work of local houses.

·         The proposed bays are too small for two large sized vehicles which will lead to less parking available on the road.

 

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He confirmed that he had heard the petition in favour of parking restrictions and that Cllr Hensley, as Ward Councillor, had also reiterated his comments from the previous meeting that:

 

·         Councillor Hensley made regular visits to the area. The most recent visit was made on 11 October at 11.10am, a time chosen to avoid transient vehicles (such as parents dropping off children to school.)

·         On his visit, Cllr Hensley had observed a large number of parked cars, on both sides of the road, and a lorry that was prevented from travelling the road due to the obstruction these caused. A queue of traffic was also behind the lorry.

·         Cllr Hensley was of the opinion that in the event of an emergency, emergency services would not be able to adequately service the road.

 

 

Councillor Burrows confirmed that there was no audit trails of visits undertaken of the road. He confirmed that a consultation had taken place ut the results had not yet been disclosed. He considered it to be unfair to know the results before he had heard all the submissions relating to this road. He explained that he was planning to meeting officers and ward councillors to discuss the results and assess all the submissions. He told residents that in light of this, no decision would be made today and would most likely be made as a Cabinet Member report.

 

In considering the matters, Councillors Burrows made the following decisions. 

 

RESOLVED -

 

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

 

1.         Discussed with petitioners their concerns relating to parking in Sussex Road, Ickenham;

 

2.         Noted the comments made by petitioners who broadly oppose the introduction of the Parking Management Scheme in Sussex Road, Ickenham;

 

3.         Noted that a separate petition has been submitted by residents in support of the introduction of parking restrictions, which was considered at the previous petition meeting;

 

4.         Noted the decision of the previous petition hearing and the subsequent consultation conducted with residents of Sussex Road; and

 

5.         Discussed both petitions with Ward Councillors and Council officers, and decides if a Parking Management Scheme should be implemented in Sussex Road or deferred at the present time.

Reasons for decision

 

The petition hearing would provide a valuable opportunity to hear directly from petitioners and listen to their concerns and suggestions. 

Alternative options considered and rejected

None

 

Supporting documents: