Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth considered a petition requesting the introduction of traffic calming measures on The Fairway, South Ruislip. The Lead Petitioner addressed the meeting and explained that The Fairway was a residential road home to families and elderly residents and was used daily by children walking to and from a nearby infant school and a recently opened daycare nursery. speeding had become an increasing problem over a number of years, with the road frequently used as a cut-through route by drivers seeking to avoid congestion on surrounding roads.

The Lead Petitioner highlighted that vehicles were often observed to be travelling at excessive speeds, particularly along the straight sections of the road, and some drivers were overtaking dangerously. The resulting impact had created safety concerns for residents, with parents expressing anxiety about allowing their children to walk or cycle, and elderly residents feeling unsafe when crossing the road. It was further noted that the constant noise from speeding vehicles was affecting residents’ quality of life.

Attention was drawn to specific problem areas, including at the junction with Queens Walk, where vehicles were reportedly cutting corners at speed, and along the section between Queens Walk and Field End Road, where cars were said to accelerate significantly. The Lead Petitioner advised that near misses had been reported by residents in these locations. In terms of possible solutions, the Lead Petitioner suggested that the introduction of raised islands or speed tables could help deter speeding, noting that speed tables provided a gradual rise that remained effective in reducing vehicle speeds. It was acknowledged that speed humps or cushions might not be suitable if The Fairway was classified as an emergency response route. Improved road markings and clearer signage were also proposed to remind drivers to maintain appropriate speeds.

The Lead Petitioner requested that updated traffic surveys be undertaken, explaining that previous speed data had been collected from pneumatic tubes placed near Field End Road, which they felt did not adequately reflect vehicle speeds at the critical locations, as cars were already slowing down where the previous surveys had been undertaken. It was suggested that future monitoring points be positioned further along both sections of the road to provide a more accurate assessment of speeding activity.

Residents had also reported incidents of parked vehicles being damaged, believed to be linked to excessive speeds, and noted that large vehicles parked on both sides of the carriageway were creating visibility issues for both drivers and pedestrians.

The Lead Petitioner confirmed that they were an active member of the local community, including the Neighbourhood Watch and Police Ward Panel, and that the local police team supported the petition and shared the same safety concerns. In conclusion, the Lead Petitioner urged that traffic calming measures on The Fairway be prioritised to protect residents and improve road safety. vehicles regularly travelled at excessive speeds along the stretch between Queens Walk and Field End Road, with some residents hearing speeding cars throughout the day. The Lead Petitioner said that traffic levels had increased significantly in recent years and that residents continued to raise concerns through local groups and direct contact.

The Lead Petitioner advised that while some serious incidents were formally recorded, many near misses and minor collisions went unreported, including cases of parked cars being damaged. It was felt that if all such incidents were recorded, the true scale of the problem would be much higher.

The Head of Transport and Town Centre Projects confirmed that any future speed surveys could be undertaken in consultation with input of the lead petitioner and ward councillors to identify suitable locations. The Cabinet Member noted that the local police were supportive of residents’ concerns and that their involvement would strengthen the case for review. It was explained that any proposed traffic calming measures, such as speed tables, would be subject to statutory consultation with residents before implementation.

The Cabinet Member also recognised concerns about the layout and markings at the Angus Drive junction, which could be reviewed to assess whether improvements might reduce unsafe manoeuvres. The Lead Petitioner further noted that school-related parking and congestion, particularly near Field End Infant School and other nearby schools and nurseries, contributed to unsafe driving behaviour during peak hours. The Cabinet Member acknowledged these points and confirmed that officers would take these factors into account when assessing potential safety measures for The Fairway.

Cllr Richard Mills, as Ward Councillor, spoke in support of the petitioners regarding speeding concerns on The Fairway. He noted that speeding remained an issue on both sections of the road either side of Queens Walk. Previous surveys had been undertaken, but residents had raised questions about where the strips were placed. Cllr Mills suggested that residents should be involved in deciding future survey locations, as their local knowledge would help identify the key problem areas. He also highlighted that The Fairway was used as a cut-through between Victoria Road and Field End Road and that existing speed signs were often ignored by drivers.
He added that, as the road was used for school drop-offs, safety was a key concern. Options such as raised tables would need to be considered carefully, given the number of private driveways along the road. Cllr Mills supported further surveys and called for transparency in how the results were shared with residents to ensure confidence in the process.

The Cabinet member thanked Cllr Mills for representing residents and agreed that the outcome of the survey and the end-to-end process would be important to ensure residents saw tangible results. He asked about police involvement, and Cllr Mills confirmed that the issue had been raised with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team. The police were supportive and aware of the concerns but faced challenges in enforcement due to limited trained officers and resources.

The Head of Transport and Town Centre Projects advised that survey locations could be decided either during the meeting or later via Cllr Mills. He explained that the survey tubes must be fixed to lamp columns for security reasons, and he displayed a map of the available positions. It was agreed that the decision on locations would be taken away to allow wider resident input.

Cllr Mills also mentioned concerns around Angus Drive, where poor driver behaviour and road layout created safety risks, suggesting a physical barrier might be required to prevent vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road.  The head of transport noted that around four or five survey points would be appropriate given the length of the road and that both sections of The Fairway would be included in the upcoming survey work.

The Cabinet Member for planning housing and growth thanked the Lead Petitioner and residents for their efforts in bringing forward the petition and acknowledged the seriousness of the issues raised.

Resolved

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth:

1)    Met with petitioners and listens to their request for traffic calming measures for The Fairway, South Ruislip;

2)    Noted the results of the previous speed and traffic surveys undertaken in 2018, 2020 and 2021; and

3)    Decided officers should commission independent 24/7 speed and traffic surveys on The Fairway, at locations agreed with petitioners and Ward Councillors: and

4)    Asked officers in the Council’s Parking Enforcement Team to investigate options to enforce against possible moving traffic contraventions at the junction of The Fairway and Angus Drive and to report back to him.

5)    In addition to 4^th recommendation Requested highway officers to undertake a layout assessment of the junction between Angus Drive and The Fairway with the objective of seeking to reduce the likelihood of vehicles entering the wrong section of highway