Decision details

Members present were permitted to speak about the recommendations from Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel (TARSAP).  The Portfolio Holder – Environment made representations about the importance of maintaining schemes to support the health of residents. 

The Deputy Leader was of the view that three of the recommendations required amendment and shared a version of his proposed amendments with those present in the meeting.  The Deputy Leader proposed amendments to:

·                     recommendation 2 in response to the Portfolio Holder’s views on the importance of maintaining a larger pedestrian space in specific areas to allow social distancing; 

·                     recommendation 3 to remove LTN-02 from the approved schemes and to require further consultation on this scheme, delegating authority to the Corporate Director, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to determine whether the scheme should continue; 

·                     recommendation 6 in relation to George V cycle scheme to not take forward the proposed scheme and require further consultation on any future scheme. 

In addition, the Deputy Leader proposed an additional recommendation 10 requiring a review of the procedure for schemes to be presented to TARSAP. 

Members present at the meeting were permitted to make representations about the proposed amendments.

Having regard of procedure rule 3 of the Appendix to the Executive Procedure Rules to the Harrow Council Constitution, in that an urgent key decision was being taken by the Deputy Leader in the absence of the Leader, following consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the impact of the health crisis on travel and public transport due to social distancing requirements and the measures proposed by the Government and the Mayor of London to address the crisis be noted;

(2)          the pedestrian space schemes implemented, as shown in the revised Appendix A, table 1, be noted, and be prioritised for a review as set out in recommendation 8, such review to be conducted by 15 September 2020 following further footfall survey results;

(3)          the low traffic neighbourhood schemes shown in the revised Appendix A, table 2, for implementation on an experimental basis by the end of September 2020:

(a)          be approved, with the exception of the following:

LTN-02 – Pinner View area, Headstone South

LTN-05 – Green Lane area, Stanmore

LTN-07 – Byron Road area, Wealdstone

LTN-08 – Dennis Lane area, Stanmore

LTN-09 – Princes Drive area, Stanmore

(b)          that the Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme – LTN-02, Pinner View area, Headstone South be subject to consultation with ward councillors, TARSAP members and local residents and the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, be delegated authority to determine whether the scheme should be implemented;

(4)          the school streets schemes, as shown in the revised Appendix A, table 3, for  implementation on an experimental basis by the end of September 2020, be approved;

(5)          the cycling schemes – SC-01, SC-03 and SC-09 – implemented as shown in the revised Appendix A, table 4, be noted;

(6)          for the George V Avenue (Hatch End) cycle scheme, SC-10:

(a)          the current scheme  was not taken forward as the amendments proposed by TARSAP did not fulfil the required outcomes for the scheme;

(b)          that a proposed cycle scheme in this area be subject to further  consultation with local stakeholders, including ward councillors, local residents, local businesses, local schools and TARSAP members;

(c)          that subject to funding being identified, any future scheme be determined by the Portfolio Holder – Environment, following consideration by TARSAP.

(7)          the making of the experimental traffic orders, where required, to implement the necessary traffic and parking restrictions for the schemes for a minimum of 6 months be approved;

(8)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, be delegated authority to undertake a regular review of the schemes and provide a monthly update to members of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel and Ward Councillors and determined whether any amendments were required for schemes, including ending any experimental scheme;

(9)          a report be submitted to the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel following the initial 6 months of operation of schemes, to feed back the results of consultation and the equality impact assessments and to consider whether schemes should be ended, extended up to a maximum of 18 months or made permanent.

(10)       a review of the procedure for proposing, consulting and determining highway, pedestrian and cycling schemes, be agreed and that such review be presented to the next meeting of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel.

Reason for Decision: To implement the Street Spaces Schemes in order to address the impact of the Covid-19 health crisis on travel and public transport and to support more active travel by walking and cycling and public health in line with current Department for Transport and Transport for London guidance.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.