Agenda item

This petition was requesting that the traffic congestion and parking situation around Abbotsfield and Swakeleys School complex to be addressed as soon as possible, especially in light of the proposed expansion of the school.

The Cabinet Member made the following statement to the petitioners:

The current planning application of these schools has been withdrawn from tomorrow night’s Planning Committee agenda.

If schools or any other significant building has proposed to extend, the effect of (in this case) additional pupils and teachers will be considered as part of this planning process. If it is appropriate to do so officers would require the applicant to propose as part of their submission, schemes to alleviate parking/congestion issues brought about by the development.

It is not appropriate of the Cabinet Member to comment further on the schools expansion proposals and their possible effect on surrounding roads or any measures proposed to alleviate them at this time. As he explained, this would be considered as part of the planning process. The petitioners would be contacted again should a date in the future be set for consideration of these proposals. 

Councillor’s Jill Rhodes and Tim Barker were in attendance and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• The petition to the Council included present day concerns as well as the proposed expansion.
• They discussed several options that could help ease traffic congestion in the area. These included 1 way system, 20mph speed restriction, resident parking scheme, cctv cameras, re-servicing of roads, road markings and a pedestrian crossing. 
• Health and safety of school children was a factor as it was dangerous for them to cross the road.
• Some road markings were very poor.
• Some roads have not been re-surfaced in many years.

The Ward Councillors commented on the petition:

• They supported the residents on this issue.
• The petition was signed by almost 300 residents.
• Ward Councillors had been hearing of the problems from residents for quite some time.
• During school runs the traffic was horrendous, the roads were gridlocked.
• Swakeleys school had sent a note around to parents to ask them not to park in front of driveways.
• Temporary measures had been put in by the police but these only helped with the problem for a short term.
• The problems needed to be addressed sooner rather than later.
• The schools had written to parents about driving in to drop children off. A preventative measure was needed to stop this.
• Rat-running occured in the morning and evenings, roads became gridlocked.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. 

• The reminded petitioners that as stated at the beginning of the meeting he had received legal advice that informed him that he could not make any decision relating to this petition.
• The aspects relating to traffic and congestion would be looked at in the planning process.
• Petitioners would get an invite to Planning Committee on this when the planning application is re-submitted.  

DECISION

That the Cabinet Member

1.                  Discussed with petitioners their concerns with traffic in Clifton Gardens.

2.                  No further decision was made as a report would be going to Planning Committee which will include the traffic concerns.

Relevant Ward:

Hillingdon East