Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition requesting a parking management scheme and road safety measures in Clyfford Road, Ruislip Gardens. The petition organiser, who was in attendance at the meeting, informed the Cabinet Member that they had been a resident of Clyfford Road for four years and expressed two primary concerns; limited parking and road safety.

On the issue of limited parking, the petition organiser noted the existing Parking Management Scheme (PMS) which covered the end of Clyfford Road which adjoins Bedford Road. It was stated that, on weekdays, the remaining portion of Clyfford Road (not covered by the PMS) is utilised for parking by commuters using the nearby Ruislip Gardens underground station. Similarly, it was claimed that on weekends, the road is also used for parking by shoppers attending the Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush. The lead petitioner also stated that commercial vehicles parking on Clyfford Road obstructed residents from parking close to their own properties.

Concerning road safety, the lead petitioner noted the proximity of Clyfford Road to Ruislip Gardens Primary School, citing an incident where a young boy had been knocked down by a car. The petitioner also highlighted the bend in Clyfford Road close to the junction with Bedford Road as a hotspot for speeding vehicles, recalling near misses with drivers taking the corner at high speeds.

Councillor Steve Tuckwell attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor for South Ruislip in support of the petition. Councillor Tuckwell thanked the petition organiser for his hard work in collecting 65 signatures and highlighted that the high number of signatures exhibited the significant interest in the matter. Councillor Tuckwell reiterated the petitioners' two main issues of speeding and parking limitations; adding that, commuters were arriving from as far as High Wycombe to utilise the road's proximity to Ruilsip Gardens underground station.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling read out an email from the Ward Councillor for South Ruislip, Councillor Vanessa Hurhangee, stating "I fully support this petition". Followed by an email from the Ward Councillor for South Ruislip, Councillor Alan Kauffman stating "I am happy to be guided by officer's recommendations as I have another meeting on that night."

The Cabinet Member commended the lead petitioner's dedication in collection 65 signatures on the matter and acknowledged that there were two parts to this petition. On the matter of road safety, the Cabinet Member explained that he was happy to endorse the officer's recommendation and implement traffic surveys on Clyfford Road to capture data which could justify future traffic calming measures. The Transport and Projects Senior Manager highlighted the importance of where the traffic surveys are placed in capturing reliable and valid data. The Cabinet Member outlined to the petitioners how the traffic surveys would work and agreed upon the precise locations of the surveys with the lead petitioner, Councillor Steve Tuckwell and the Head of Transport and Town Centre Improvements.

RESOLVED:

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

1)    Listened to their request for traffic calming measures and a Parking Management Scheme in Clyfford Road, Ruislip Gardens;

2)    Asked Officers to undertake traffic surveys, at locations agreed by the petitioners and ward councillors, and to then report back; and

3)    Asked officers to add petitioners' request for a Parking Management Scheme to the Council's extensive parking scheme programme for further consultation in Clyfford Road and other possible roads on the area agreed with ward councillors.

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.