Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting measures to reduce speeding on Queens Walk, South Ruislip. The petitioner addressed the Cabinet Member, and raised the following points:

·         Speeding vehicles is an ongoing problem, particularly within the ‘fast’ section of the road, between Torcross Road and East Mead, at the junction with the Queens Walk Medical Centre.

·         Queens Walk is now a cut-through from Field End Road to Station Approach, exacerbating the problem.

·         The road narrowing gaps installed in Queens Walk had done nothing to prevent speeding issues in that section of the road.

·         Schoolchildren use Queens Walk as a thoroughfare when travelling to and from one of the three nearby schools.

·         Parents also drive their children to and from school, resulting in parking increasing on both sides of the road, in both the morning and afternoon.

·         Due to this parking, the gap on the road is insufficient to allow two cars to pass each other safety.

·         A death occurred on the road some years ago, and recent speeding accidents have been serious in nature.

·         The Council’s installed automatic traffic counts had proven insufficient in curbing driver speed.

·         Residents are frustrated by the issue, and suggest the following potential measures:

o   Raised tables at three strategic points along the ‘fast’ section of Queens Walk;

o   Make Queens walk a 20mph zone via fixed road speed ,limit signage and sprays.

Councillor Barnes, Ward Councillor for Cavendish, addressed the Cabinet Member. Points highlighted included:

·         An accident on 17 April 2018 occurred when an elderly driver lost control of his car and mounted the pavement, striking a tree and wall, before finishing upside down in a resident’s driveway. No pedestrians were hurt, though this was lucky as the area was often used by frequent dog walkers.

·         Similarly, on 9 April 2018, a young driver lost control of his car and crashed into a resident’s parked car so hard that he pushed the vehicle from the road and into a resident’s garden. Again, it was luck that no one was hurt, though the resident and family were very distressed by the incident.

·         Most recently, a third incident occurred on 9 October 2018, when a young boy crossing at Oxford Drive was hit by a speeding motorist. The boy suffered a broken leg.

·         Ward Councillors and residents would like to see changes made, in line with the suggestions made by the petitioner. Speed surveys had shown that the average 85% speed was at or below 30mph. The particular stretch of Queens Walk is uphill, with a bend moving into a downhill section. Speed of vehicles is regularly changing throughout that section, and driving at or close to 30ph, while within the speed limit, can be dangerous on that section of the road.

·         The measures suggested by the petitioner, including raised tables and speed signage, was supported by all Ward Councillors.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. In considering the matter, Councillor Burrows moved the following recommendations:

RESOLVED:

Meeting with the Petitioners, the Cabinet Member:

1.    Listened to their request for traffic calming measures in Queens Walk, South Ruislip;

2.    Noted the outcome of traffic surveys which have already been undertaken, details of which were set out within the officer’s report;

3.    Noted the potential traffic calming scheme for the section of Queens Walk between Victoria Road and Long Drive, as shown in Appendix B to the report, which has already been the subject of a separate consultation;

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

5.    Asked officers to arrange a meeting with all Ward Councillors and the Cabinet Member, when the results of the traffic surveys were known; and

6.    Asked the School Travel and Road Safety Team to seek input from local schools, and report back to the Cabinet Member with their findings.

Reason for decisions

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.