Agenda item

Councillors Tim Barker, Wayne Bridges and Pat Jackson had contacted Councillor Burrows to advise that they were unable to attend the meeting as Ward Councillors but that they were in support of the petition. 

Concerns, comments and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• Residents were concerned that drivers often parked in front of their driveways, stopping them from getting on or off of them.  One resident had even had someone park on her driveway;
• Parents often parked in Denziloe Avenue when they were dropping their children off or picking them up from Hillingdon Primary School.  Residents had, on occasion, been verbally abused by these parents when they had been challenged for parking over a driveway;
• One resident pulled up outside his home to find that someone had parked over his driveway.  While he was stationary in the middle of the carriageway surveying the scene, another vehicle hit his car from behind and the driver then proceeded to verbally abuse him;
• It was believed that the owners of the flats over the shops were supposed to provide parking spaces for their tenants at the back of the building;
• A local car salesroom frequently parked its cars in Denziloe Avenue and residents had counted 20 of these cars on the road that evening.  Some of these cars would be parked there for four or five weeks and the salesroom staff would have to jump start some of them when their batteries died;
• It was noted that the salesroom cars were not marked as being for sale and were taxed so could legitimately park in the street;
• There were two corner shops nearby.  As cars were regularly parked for long periods of time on the corners outside the shops, there was often nowhere for customers to park; 
• Concern was expressed that drivers often parked over the entrance to the alleyway which would prevent emergency vehicles from gaining access;
• It was suggested that double yellow lines be put down on the corner outside the shop and on one side by the alleyway so that it improved visibility for drivers; and
• The petition organiser advised that his daughter lived in an area of the Borough with a residents’ parking scheme and that he would welcome a similar scheme in Denziloe Avenue.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  Residents were advised that double yellow lines would take parking spaces away from residents so needed to be used with caution. 

Consideration was given to options available to the residents: double yellow lines; single yellow lines; and a parking management scheme.  The options available would be explained in the informal consultation document that would be sent out to residents to gauge what support there was for change.  Residents were advised that it was important to complete and return the consultation document as this would determine the subsequent course of action.  If there was sufficient support for a parking management scheme (PMS), a formal consultation would be undertaken.  Again, it was important for residents to respond to this consultation.  It was noted that, if a PMS was implemented, it would be reviewed within 9 months of commencing. 

Councillor Burrows advised that he would speak to the Ward Councillors to determine which roads should be included in the consultation to make it a viable PMS.  It was anticipated that the informal consultation would start within next couple of months. 

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Member:

1. discussed with the petitioners their concerns with parking in Denziloe Avenue.

2. agreed that a scheme which would include Denziloe Avenue be added to the Council’s parking programme.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

Although parking schemes are not generally considered for individual roads, due to the isolated location of Denziloe Avenue, the Cabinet Member may decide that a scheme could be considered in advance of one over a wider area.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

These were discussed with petitioners.