Background
A new dropped kerb policy was introduced in April 2019 by the London Borough of Hillingdon. One of the major changes in the new policy was the requirement of minimum forecourt dimensions, which would avoid many residents to apply successfully for a dropped kerb.
The new policy was approved without taking into consideration parking arrangements in different areas of the Borough or the number of properties that would become affected. The majority of houses in an area such as Ruislip Manor with short frontages already have vehicle crossovers and are able to park their cars on their forecourt or on the road, alongside their dropped kerb. Residents that would become affected were not warned, therefore, not giving them the opportunity to apply for a dropped kerb before the changes were implemented.
The new policy states that "future short frontage applications will be refused and crossings constructed before the new policy will not set a precedent for approving new applications". This statement indicates that the Council recognises residents will consider this an unfair and inconsistent process and makes a blanket rule to easily refuse applications.
Current inconsistencies
Hillingdon residents are given the option to park on the road, alongside their dropped kerb independently of when their dropped kerb was approved. This has been confirmed by Hillingdon Council's safer roads team. Allowing some residents to park alongside a dropped kerb but deny other residents this option is inconsistent. Residents with a short forecourt should be given this option too.
Exceptions within the Borough have been made to install new crossovers or extend existing crossovers where adequate access is already present after the new policy was introduced. The reason for these exceptions are, however, never disclosed due to personal circumstances. The reason to allow exceptions to a policy should, however, not allow identification of an individual.
Proposition
We, the undersigned, are requesting the Council consider introducing short frontage agreements in Hillingdon's vehicular crossover policy. Short frontage agreements should be considered in an area were only a small number of properties with short frontages do not have a dropped kerb, for consistency and fairness.
This is a measure used by different boroughs of London, and a measure that was not considered by Hillingdon Council when the new vehicle crossover policy was approved in 2019.
The main reasons to consider short frontage agreements in Hillingdon are the following:
a) Allow residents to have access to home charging facilities for electric vehicles. Supporting residents to have access to home charging facilities for electric vehicles is an action Hillingdon Council stated in the Council's Air Quality Action Plan, 2019-2024.
The document "Electric Vehicle Charging Points" (The London Borough of Hillingdon's Corporate Services & Partnerships Policy Overview Committee, Tuesday 14 January 2014) states that access to off-street parking encourages the uptake of an electric vehicle.
Residents who applied for a vehicle crossover before July 2019 are able to park on their forecourt and therefore invest in an electric vehicle, independently of the size of their forecourt. Properties that from July 2019 fall under the 'short frontage category' are unable to gain vehicular access to their forecourt, even if they own a small car.
b) To provide consistency and fair treatment to residents who live in an area where the majority of properties already have an approved dropped kerb, independently of the size of their forecourt.
Information regarding Short Frontage Agreements from other London Boroughs: Short frontage agreements are a measure adopted by different boroughs of London that allow properties with a short frontage to apply successfully for a dropped kerb but ensuring residents will not park overhanging vehicles.
On reaching 20 signatures it will be formally considered by the Council and relevant Cabinet Member. Local ward Councillors will also be made aware of the petition. The Council's Democratic Services Team will keep the lead petitioner updated on progress.
This ePetition ran from 21/02/2021 to 22/05/2021 and has now finished.
108 people signed this ePetition.