Agenda item

Although there were no Ward Councillors present, Councillor Burrows advised that Councillor Carol Melvin had emailed him stating that action needed to be undertaken to address the issues raised in the petition and advising that she was in full support of the petition. 

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

·         As drivers were aware that they would soon be entering a 50mph zone, they often travelled above the speed limit in the 30mph section.  This made it difficult for pedestrians to cross the road, especially if they were old and / or if it was dark;

·         Concern was expressed that it was becoming increasingly dangerous for people crossing the road for the bus;

·         It was suggested that the pedestrian refuge point by Jackets Lane would be an ideal place for a zebra crossing or a pelican crossing;

·         Petitioners recognised that flashing beacons associated with a zebra crossing might pose a potential concern for residents located nearby but these properties were generally set back from the road;

·         The hill was quite steep so some drivers increased their speed and momentum to get up the hill rather than dropping down through their gears.  Similarly, drivers coming down the hill tended to be travelling above the 30mph speed limit; and

·         Many of the large houses in the vicinity had been converted into flats which were now occupied by older residents.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  He advised that zebra crossings were preferable as pelican crossings involved a protracted process as Transport for London was responsible for all traffic signals across London.  However, proposals for zebra crossings still needed to be independently safety checked which sometimes resulted in amendments to the proposal.  It was noted that vehicle activated signs were used in the Borough. 

The Cabinet Member advised that speeds along Ducks Hill Road had decreased when the national speed limit had been taken away.  However, the road was relatively straight which exacerbated the speeding issue. 

It was agreed that traffic surveys would be undertaken to identify the type, time, speed and number of vehicles travelling along Ducks Hill Road.  An assessment of pedestrian crossing demand would also be undertaken and the results reported back to the Cabinet Member. 

Councillor Burrows noted that a study of traffic and traffic behaviour was being undertaken by HS2.  The findings from the traffic surveys and pedestrian assessment would be fed back to HS2 to inform their study which, it was hoped, would result in a reduction in the speed limit on Ducks Hill Road.  The findings would also be reported back to the Ward Councillors.

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

1.         listened to their request for the installation of a zebra crossing on Ducks Hill Road, Northwood between Northgate and Jackets Lane;

2.         asked officers to undertake traffic surveys and to report back to the Cabinet Member;

3.         asked officers to undertake an assessment of pedestrian crossing demand at the site; and

4.         asked officers to refer the testimony of petitioners and other findings to the separate HS2 study as may be appropriate.

Reasons for recommendations

The Petition Hearing will provide a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the petitioners of their concerns and suggestions. 

Alternative options considered / risk management

None at this stage.