Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting a zebra crossing. In support of the petition, the petitioners spoke of their concerns and suggestions including the following:

·         A petition with 311 signatures had been submitted to the Council requesting a zebra crossing.

·         It was explained that children from two primary schools, Laurel Lane School and St Martins School crossed the roads on a weekly basis to attend church, and on average there was at least 192 children crossing the road. It was difficult to manage this especially with some children that have special needs which created a greater element of risk.

·         There was also a park near the road, with no gated entrance that was used by children regularly.

·         With the layout of the road, drivers did not have clear forward visibility of the road.

·         St Martins School was a specialist resource for children with ADHT and AST, and there were more challenges involved when crossing roads. 

·         Hillingdon’s Road Safety and School Travel Team have  worked with children to encourage them to cross roads safely.

·         Church Road was also used as a rat run, and visibility was limited. It was a dangerous road with bends and parked cars blocking the view. It was often used to skip the main part of town as a short cut.

·         Even during weekends and evenings it was busy as other group activities took place nearby. The road was generally busy at all times and used by the general public for a number of reasons.

·         There was a significant concern for the elderly and children crossing the road.

·         Petitioners requested preventative measures to be put in place and urged the Cabinet Member and officers to keep the crossing safe.

Councillor Stuart Mathers attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition. He agreed with all the submissions made and explained that the primary purpose for the zebra crossing was to protect children and provide a safe area for them to cross. During off peak times, the road was more dangerous and the introduction of a parking management scheme would mean that there would be fewer cars on the roads and it would be clearer. It was important that parking bays did not block vision on the road. The road was used for speeding and rat runs, and it was only going to get worse. The road was used for community events and the recent success of the cycle event was well received by the local community. Councillor Mathers asked the Cabinet Member and officers if the road could be made safer.

Councillor Jan Sweeting submitted the following, which were supported by Councillor Janet Duncan:

I support the petition because:

1.    Church Road is a dangerous road with numerous reports of 'near misses' by residents living in Church Road.

2.    Many instances of 'road rage' again reported by residents as it is a busy 'rat run' for cars as well as for heavy lorries and vans.

3.    Not only the speed of motorists which is the problem but the geography of the road which is undulating, narrows and widens so creating many blind spots for pedestrians.

4.    It is a route to school for pupils at St Martins and Laurel Lane Schools and so the road is crossed by many primary aged children on a daily basis, with 'near misses' again being reported. 

5.    It is also the road where St Martins Church is situated which holds regular services and accommodates various groups both during the week and at weekends and where pedestrians have much difficulty crossing the road due to frustrated motorists taking risks and the very busy nature of the road.

6.    It is recognised that the undulating nature of the road may make it difficult for a crossing to be placed at the location indicated on the map, but  I ask that investigations look into all options as the present situation is a dangerous one for pedestrians both young and old needing to cross Church Road.

7.    Being situated adjacent to the neighbouring Closes Park means that the crossing would enable the users of this park to cross the road in safety as at present this is a very difficult operation for many residents.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. Councillor Burrows knew the area well and accepted that it was a busy road. He explained that crossing could be created but it would depend on a number of factors such as design requirements and layouts. He admired the teachers taking the children to the church given the road conditions. . Councillor Burrows explained that an independent traffic survey would be commissioned through a specialist  company in the normal manner. He explained that that the request would be added to the Council’s Road Safety Programme and agreed a location with the benefit of the petitioners and the Ward Councillors.

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

RESOLVED –

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Considered their request for a Zebra Crossing on Church Road, West Drayton close to St Martin's Church.

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

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

Reasons for decision

The petition hearing provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the petitioners of their concerns and suggestions.

Alternative options considered / risk management

None at this stage.