Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition from residents requesting speed measures in Long Drive.

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

·         Enquired as to whether the Chairman had received photographic evidence submitted by the Lead Petitioner prior to the hearing and proceeded to pass these images on in person for the Chairman’s viewing. These photos evidenced an incident that occurred on Long Drive which served as the catalyst behind the Lead Petitioner’s motivation for the petition request. The Lead Petitioner informed the Chairman that both cars involved were written off as a result of the collision on Long Drive.

·         Discussed how there was a strong sense of feeling amongst residents surrounding the issues highlighted in the petition and noted that three petitions had previously been submitted to the Council which concerned the same problem and requested similar measures.

·         Informed the Chairman that it was worrying that there had already been three previous petitions on the same issue and what appeared to be insufficient Council action to date on the matter. Communicated that the safety of his family, as well as that of his neighbours was the primary reason behind the petition and referenced the Council’s duty to care of its residents in support of this.

The Chairman accepted the points made by the Lead Petitioner and in response, emphasised that the Police, as opposed to the Council hold jurisdiction and enforcement powers in relation to speeding. It was advised by the Chairman to the petitioners present that communication be established and maintained with the Police when concerned with speeding matters. The Chairman also enquired as to whether the speeding was occurring in both directions. 

The Lead Petitioner accepted the comments made by the Chairman but reaffirmed his desire for action in order to combat the apparent speeding. The Lead Petitioner, in response to the Chairman’s question; suggested that speeding was indeed happening in both directions and that this encompassed all types of vehicles; motorbikes were also alleged to have been using Long Drive as a road for doing wheelies. 

Officers asked the Lead Petitioner to expand on the police response to the speeding collision raised and invited the Lead Petitioner and the Ward Councillor present to collaborate on potential locations for speed surveys.

The Chairman seconded the officer’s invite and the complexities highlighted by the Lead Petitioner. Further to this however, the Chairman reminded the Lead Petitioner those potential solutions would also contain significant drawbacks. For example, the installation of speed tables would be problematic due to the topography of Long Drive and would also hinder emergency vehicle access. Moreover, a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) would not necessarily deter speeding as some motorists had been known to unfortunately ignore such signs.  The Chairman asserted that data collection and subsequent analysis ought to be the first action taken and furthermore, that contact be made with the police once evaluation of this quantification had been carried out.

The Chairman asked the Ward Councillor for South Ruislip present, Councillor Steve Tuckwell to speak on the petition. Councillor Tuckwell made the following points:

·         Declared that fellow South Ruislip Ward Councillors were also in support of the petition.

·         Acquainted the Chairman with the fact that the North Eastern half of Long Drive already had raised tables. Further to this, Councillor Tuckwell explained that the driver entrance to Queen’s Walk was somewhat of a curtailed journey due to the presence of these speed tables, but that as soon as these were passed, drivers sped up for the remainder of Long Drive (South Western section).

·         Reported that the police had referenced this at one of their Ward Panel meetings, which Ward Councillors attended quarterly. Additionally, that the Police had been active in Community Speed Watch campaigns but agreed that there should be increased action.

·         Informed the Chairman that Long Drive was known to be used as a ‘rat run’ by motorists.

·         Echoed the Lead Petitioner that the main concern was community safety, compounded by the presence of numerous nearby schools.

·         Suggested a VAS sign and other possible deterrents to address the issue of speeding.

The Chairman accepted the points made by Councillor Tuckwell and reiterated the need for cooperation with police on this matter as well as his concern surrounding the over-population of speed tables in the Borough. 

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

1)    met with petitioners and listened to their request for traffic calming in Long Drive, South Ruislip.

2)    Noted the background of previous petitions and work done to date on Long Drive, as detailed within the body of the report.

3)    Subject to the outcome of the above, asked officers to undertake 24/7 speed and vehicle classification surveys to determine the extent of the issues on Long Drive; and,

4)    subject to the outcome of surveys, instructed officers to investigate the possible measures to calm traffic on Long Drive.

Reasons for decision

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

Alternative options considered and rejected

None at this stage.