Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting traffic calming measures in Angel Lane, Hayes. Councillor Farley attended as the lead petitioner and made the following points:

• Councillor Farley had visited residents of Angel Lane and there was overwhelming support from most residents of Angel Lane and from residents of Aston House care home for traffic calming measures.
• Councillor Farley visited Angel Lane today (11 November 2020) and noted a number of vehicles (of different types and size) speeding.
• There was usually a weight-restriction enforcement camera at the Uxbridge Road end of the road but it is understood that this was out for repair.
• Councillor Farley also noted vehicles going the wrong way down the road (Angel Lane is a one-way road), and that this was becoming more prevalent.
• Rat-running also took place along Angel Lane, so there was a lot of traffic coming down the road, which is an old, very narrow road.
• Satellite-navigation systems also directed drivers down Angel Lane.
• Cars coming down Uxbridge Road at high speed maintained higher speeds when turning and driving down Angel Lane.
• Lorries loading and unloading at SEF Hardware, at the north end of Angel Lane, also blocked the road. This was a known issue to parking enforcement.
• Goods vehicles often parked on the pavement, damaging the footpath.
• Some vehicles were parked in the middle of the carriageway causing an obstruction which resulted in some drivers choosing to mount the pavement to get round.
• The nearby Rosedale College, on Wood End Green Road, led to increased one-way speeding - this was a concern for the school children, as well as those living at the care home.
• There was also a concern about drivers turning right into Angel Lane from Uxbridge Road, with cars accelerating in front of cars approaching in the opposite direction of Uxbridge Road.

Councillor Gardner attended as Ward Councillor and spoke in support of the petition, making the following points:

·       Back in 2017, residents asked for speed restrictions to be implemented.

·       Councillor Gardner had observed vehicles driving the wrong way down Angel Lane; driving the wrong way round the small roundabout at the bottom of Angel Lane; and up to Morgans Lane, at high speed.

·       There was a fear of an accident happening with residents or visitors to Aston House care home.

Councillor Burrows read as statement on behalf of Councillor Oswell, as Ward Councillor, in support of the petition:

·       Angel Lane had recently been suffering from various problems, including traffic going against the one way system and vehicles travelling at excessive speeds.

·       Councillor Oswell fully supported the petitioners.

It was noted that all three Ward Councillors were in support of the petition.

Councillor Burrows asked officers in Parking Enforcement to look into the current situation regarding the weight-restriction enforcement camera and to provide an update to the Cabinet Member.

Officers noted that Parking Enforcement were aware of the issue with goods vehicles, and that there were existing weighting restrictions. A Road Safety Engineer had visited the site and officers were preparing possible options for Councillor Burrows to consider. Councillor Burrows asked officers to expedite these options for discussion as soon as possible.

Councillor Burrows explained the use of speed and traffic surveys. The previous surveys in October 2016 were noted, and it was confirmed that the 85^th percentile were below the posted speed limit. However, it was recognised that the data could have changed since the previous surveys were conducted.

Councillor Burrows asked officers to visit Morgans Lane to determine the best locations for traffic surveys in that road. Councillor Farley suggested locations for Angel Lane.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation:

1.    met with petitioners and listened to their road safety concerns and suggestions for traffic calming measures;

2.    noted the results of the previous 24/7 speed and traffic surveys undertaken in Angel Lane in October 2016; and

3.    asked officers to undertake traffic surveys at locations agreed by the petitioners and local Ward Councillors and then to report back to the Cabinet Member.

Reasons 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.