Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting to change the layout of the junction of St Andrews Road and Churchill Road to a Mini Roundabout.

The Lead Petitioner was present and made a number of points, including:

• The junction in question topographically ought to be a T junction.
• Drivers coming from Chippendale Waye roundabout went straight over the junction instead of turning left causing danger to residents, amplified by the fact that it was a high-density area with nearby schools and a newly constructed residential home.
• The developer for the estate had had discussions with the Council on this issue.

Officers informed the Lead Petitioner that discussions with the developer were ongoing and disclosed that a mini roundabout, as requested by the Petitioners, might be achievable, although this remained subject to further agreement and an independent technical assessment.

Councillor Adam Bennett, Ward Councillor for Hillingdon West, made a number of points in support of the petition including:

• He had personal experience of the locality.
• It was a very poorly designed road junction. Furthermore, there was no road signage to indicate to drivers that they must give way and road markings were barely visible.
• The situation may have come about by accident; possibly because Churchill Road had been constructed from the South and had met with St Andrew’s Road at the junction from this direction. Councillor Bennett informed the Chairman that the initial plan was that Churchill Road would run all the way through from Park Road, to the Greenway (evidence of this presently at Park Road junction). However, this plan had not been pursued due to ‘rat run’ concerns.
• There were two significant problems with the junction at St Andrews Road and Churchill Road - firstly, motorists coming from Park Road roundabout were not aware that they must give way to the left. This had been worsened recently by the construction of the nearby retirement complex, which had consequently reduced visibility down St Andrews Road as a result. Secondly, it was not clear to motorists that they must give way to the right when coming north onto Churchill Road.

The Chairman recommended further negotiations with the developer in order to provide a solution to the issues mentioned. Additionally, the Chairman observed that, if a mini roundabout was unattainable, other solutions would be explored.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport:

1)    Met and discussed with petitioners their request to make changes at the junction at St Andrews Road and Churchill Road;

2)    Noted that dialogue was already under way with the developer of the St Andrews Park site to seek ways of improving the road layout at this location;

3)    Asked officers to continue negotiations with the developer of St Andrews Park with a view to delivery of a mini roundabout, as requested by petitioners, if at all possible, and furthermore asked officers to report back as soon as this possibility had been established; and,

4)    Asked officers to consider the testimony of the petitioners and their Ward Councillors and ensure that this was used to inform the design of appropriate measures aimed at resolving their concerns.

Reasons for recommendations:

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.