Agenda item

Councillors Simon Arnold and Alan Deville were in attendance at the meeting as Ward Councillors for Yiewsley, and passed on the apologies from Councillor Ahmad-Wallana, who was unable to attend.

The lead petitioner addressed the Cabinet Member and noted a number of concerns, including the following:

·         The street was very busy with two bus routes and a nearby school, and experienced Sixth Form students parking on the road, in addition car dealers operating in the vicinity and tourists leaving cars on the road before being taken to Heathrow Airport;

·         The introduction of Cross Rail would make the parking situation even worse;

·         Apple Tree Avenue and Birch Avenue are quiet roads, but due to parked cars, the roads are significantly narrower;

·         Residents are not able to park near their homes, and as a result, elderly people are having to walk long distances to their homes;

·         Only four residents who were asked to sign the petition did not want to, and over 130 had signed the petition;

·         Residents do not want to go out as they will lose their car parking space if they move their car, and visitors have nowhere to park;

·         There has been a significant increase in hospital workers parking on the roads while they work long shifts, so there is nowhere to park for all hours of the day;

·         People have been seen leaving cars on the street and then being picked up by a minibus with their luggage to go to Heathrow Airport; and.

·         Some residents have even rented out parking spaces outside their homes.

Councillor Arnold, Ward Councillor for Yiewsley, thanked the lead petitioner for his efforts and noted that it was clear hospital traffic and parking has moved to Apple Tree Avenue and Birch Avenue following residents’ parking schemes being implemented in nearby roads. Councillor Arnold stated that introducing a scheme in these roads would just move the issue elsewhere and cause parking concerns for other residents and suggested that Royal Close, Violet Avenue and Campion Close be included in any consultation over the implementation of a scheme.

Councillor Alan Deville, Ward Councillor for Yiewsley, also thanked the petitioners and added his support to the petitioners and residents on the roads deserved to be able to park near their homes.

Councillor Burrows recognised that the parking concerns were the result of a domino effect from residents’ parking schemes nearby, and hospital workers and students parking were increasing the issue. The Cabinet Member stated that Ward Councillors should submit a Members’ Enquiry regarding possible car dealers on the road.

The Cabinet Member stated that 131 signatures was a high number, particularly when collecting signatures over winter, and it showed the level of support from local residents.

Residents were informed that the Cabinet Member would contact Ward Councillors to discuss which other roads in the area would be involved in the informal consultation to implement parking management schemes, in addition to Apple Tree Avenue and Birch Avenue.

The petitioners noted that parking bays on the road had faded, and the Cabinet Member noted that Ward Councillors may wish to put in a Members’ Enquiry to have parking bays on the road repainted.

RESOLVED: Having met with petitioners, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation:

1.    Listened to the petitioners’ request for the introduction of “residents only parking” in Apple Tree Avenue and Birch Avenue, Yiewsley;

2.    Noted the petition submitted previously by residents of Apple Tree Avenue, Yiewsley; and,

3.    Asked officers to add the request to the Council’s parking programme for further informal consultation on options to manage parking in these roads and other roads in the area which Ward Councillors may deem appropriate.