Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition requesting a zebra crossing to West Drayton Station from Ferrers Avenue Bus Stop.

The lead petitioner put forward to the Cabinet Member some reasons to action the request for a zebra crossing. Key points raised by the petitioner included:

West Drayton Station bus stop had remained closed for a considerable period due to delayed works being undertaken by Network Rail. This had created a hazard for residents travelling from Ferrers Avenue Bus Stop as they crossed the busy road, particularly during rush hour.

Where pedestrians attempted to cross either in front of or behind the bus stop, oncoming cars could not see them attempting to cross. As a result, pedestrians found it increasingly difficult to cross the road safely.

The lead petitioner noted that they had experienced trouble on the road, both as a pedestrian and as a driver. There was a particular risk that drivers could knock someone over unintentionally.

Although it was readily acknowledged that there was an existing pedestrian crossing in the area, this was not always used because it was in an inconvenient location. Suggestions were made to replace the underused pedestrian crossing with a zebra crossing, or to relocate the crossing to right next to Ferrers Avenue Bus Stop to enable users to cross the road safely.

Councillor Mohammed Islam, representing West Drayton Ward, expressed that without a pedestrian crossing to West Drayton Station from Ferrers Avenue Bus Stop, there was a high risk for accidents to take place, especially during rush hour, causing safety hazards for bus users and others making their way to the station. Pedestrians often used the Warwick Road entrance to the station.

Councillor Scott Farley, also representing West Drayton Ward, emphasised the issue of the delayed road works being carried out by Network Rail. It was highlighted that there was a significant walk to West Drayton Station from both south and north sides of the railway drop off points.

In a previous meeting with the Cabinet Member, Network Rail had given assurance that the survey of the sewer, which was the reason for the delay on Station Approach, was due to take place this month, and a copy of their report would be made available to the Council.

It was acknowledged that people did not always walk to zebra crossings as when investigations had been carried out into whether it was safe to install a zebra crossing, it was often not where people wanted it.

The Cabinet Member noted that they would instruct officers to undertake a survey of pedestrian activity.

Officers noted that Ferrers Avenue bus stop was on a junction, and so to put a zebra crossing here would require moving the bus stop, which may lead to a loss of parking. Officers noted the suggestion of converting the existing crossing into a zebra crossing and would investigate, although the Cabinet Member was concerned that if some pedestrians ignore the existing crossing point, there remained a fair likelihood that some of them would continue to ignore the crossing even if upgraded to a zebra crossing.

It was also acknowledged that part of the issue was due to the issues with Station Approach. As such, there was a dilemma as to what changes should be made to what may be a temporary issue with Station Approach. Officers noted that the Cabinet Member had, with officers, met with a Director from Network Rail and noted the need to try to accelerate the works to minimise the risk. Temporary measures could be investigated while works on Station Approach were finished.

The petitioner added that if the bus stop was moved and a zebra crossing installed, this may be a safer option for pedestrians.

A written statement from Councillor Jan Sweeting, as Ward Councillor, was read out:

I respectfully ask that the Cabinet Member, Cllr Bianco to consider my comments in respect to this petition as I am not able to attend the petition hearing in person.

It has been three years since buses have not been able to access West Drayton Station due to a sunken sewer and still three years later and after numerous complaints from residents and local councillors, the extent of the problem is still being explored by Network Rail and others. In the meantime, residents of West Drayton and Yiewsley and others using West Drayton’s new Elizabeth Line have been faced with a long trek from and to the station from the nearest bus stops at Ferrers Avenue and Yiewsley High Street, which are considerable distances away. From recent information received in response to my question as to when the necessary repairs will be undertaken which will allow buses to once again access the station forecourt, it would appear that investigations are ongoing and that there is no end date in sight, with a possible start date for repairing the sewer being well into 2024 and beyond.

So we have the situation in which streams of people are crossing Station Road from and to the station searching for the nearest bus stops. These groups of people include vulnerable and disabled people with mobility restrictions, young families and visitors and others, some with suitcases.

That it has taken three years, and still no resolution, even after a deluge of complaints sent to the organisation and organisations responsible for ensuring that the station forecourt is fit for purpose, is, in my opinion, of deep concern.

Therefore, whilst recognising that there may well be logistical problems in delivering a pedestrian crossing as per the request from petitioners;  I ask that the Council takes a lead in investigating all options in order for residents of Hillingdon, as well as non- residents alike are able to access the multi billion £ railway which is the Elizabeth line at West Drayton Station with ease and safety, whilst at the same time continuing to put pressure on Network Rail to speed up the repair of the sewer which has been the root cause of this long and protracted problem.

I thank you for considering my comments.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport:

1)    Met with petitioners and listens to their request for a zebra crossing by Ferrers Avenue bus stop;

2)    Noted petitioners’ concerns over safety of those crossing the road to access West Drayton and instructed officers to consider the undertaking of pedestrian surveys to understand levels of pedestrians crossing and pedestrian desire lines; and

3)    Asked officers to investigate the feasibility of the petitioners' request for a zebra crossing in the area, given the constraints, such as location of bus stops and parking.