Agenda item

The Cabinet Member considered a petition seeking parking permits and traffic calming measures on Tudor Road, Hayes.

The lead petitioner, unable to attend the Petition Hearing on 16 April 2024, submitted a written representation detailing reasons to action the request for parking permits and traffic calming measures on Tudor Road, Hayes to present to the Cabinet Member.

The written representation addressed concerns about parking congestion and traffic safety on Tudor Road. The lead petitioner highlighted critical levels of congestion causing frustration and safety risks, exacerbated by the absence of traffic calming measures. He suggested implementing a parking permit system to regulate parking and prioritize access for residents, particularly during peak times, and installing speed bumps to mitigate speeding and enhance road safety for Tudor Road residents.

Councillor Kaur, representing Wood End Ward, expressed her support of the petition.

·         Prior to the submission of the current petition requesting parking permits and traffic calming measures on Tudor Road, there was a previous e-petition on July 15th, 2023, seeking speed bumps on Tudor Road. Preceding this, in June 2023, Councillor Kaur had received a letter from a resident, which was subsequently forwarded to Members' Inquiries. The letter expressed concerns about ongoing accidents, stating: ‘As I am writing this email, yet another serious accident has happened, the second time in 2 days. Can you please take action before a fatality occurs? As a resident, I propose installing a speed bump and a camera to mitigate the impact, but increased awareness and clear signage would also be beneficial.’ The concerns that the lead petitioner had raised, and the visit by Councillors to Tudor Road reflected previous cases.

·         Tudor Road was a road that connected Judge Heath Lane at one end to Kings Way Road at the other.

·         Speeding issues were resulting in numerous safety hazards on Tudor Road. Despite its narrowness, this did not discourage vehicles from traveling at high speeds.

·         The petitioners and Ward Councillor were advocating for traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps or lowered speed limits, to address their worries regarding safety and speeding.

Councillor Garelick, representing Wood End Ward, also expressed her endorsement of the petition.

·         Speed bumps were renowned for their ability to reduce speed.

·         Numerous residents had reported vehicle damage on the road, such as lost wing mirrors or scratches.

·         The road also posed dangers for residents attempting to cross safely, underscoring the potential benefits of installing speed bumps.

·         In light of the insufficient parking situation on Tudor Road, there was uncertainty about endorsing a parking management scheme due to concerns that it might not guarantee an adequate amount of parking space, which mirrored a similar situation on adjacent roads.

·         Encouragement was given by Cllr Garelick for a survey among residents due to the relatively small number of signatories on the petition compared to the total number of households on the road. Consequently, additional investigation would be required to establish a consensus among the majority of residents regarding their preferences.

Councillor Mathers, also representing Wood End Ward, further expressed his support of the petition.

·         An informal consultation to gauge residents' opinions on parking management systems would be beneficial.

·         Given the considerable length of Tudor Road, a more substantial response could be obtained compared to the current petition.

·         Emphasis could be best placed on monitoring higher speeds rather than average speeds during speed monitoring initiatives.

The Cabinet Member remarked that should a parking management scheme be introduced, it would result in less available parking spaces, owing to engineering considerations and requirements regarding bay sizes and similar factors.

In addition, the implementation of a parking management scheme only in Tudor Road would likely trigger a ripple effect, prompting adjacent roads to also consider petitioning for similar schemes to be introduced on their own road.

A survey would be undertaken to ascertain residents’ views on the potential implementation of a parking management scheme.

The Cabinet Member advised officers to discuss with the lead petitioner if pursuing a parking management scheme was the direction he wished to take.

Speed monitoring activities would be conducted. The Cabinet Member reaffirmed the Council’s stance on enforcing speed. That the Council lacked jurisdiction to enforce speed limits using tools, such as speed cameras and speed guns, as this responsibility fell under the jurisdiction of the police.

The Cabinet Member expressed reluctance to install speed bumps to reduce speed on the road due to residents' changing preferences, as residents often wanted them removed from outside their houses because of the noise caused by vans and skip lorries passing over the speed bumps.

Suggestions were made around vehicle-activated signs (VASs) to deter speeding.

The Cabinet Member requested officers to provide Ward Councillors with helpful information on parking management schemes to discuss with the lead petitioner and residents.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport:

1)         Met with petitioners and listened to their request for Parking Permits and Traffic Calming Measures on Tudor Road, Hayes.

2)         Asked officers to commission independent 24/7 speed and traffic surveys on Tudor Road at locations agreed with petitioners and Ward Councillors.

3)         Requested officers to consult with the lead petitioner to determine if proceeding with a parking management scheme was the desired course of action. Subject to this outcome, instructed officers to add this request to the Council’s extensive Parking Scheme Programme for further investigation.