Agenda and minutes

Your Panel received a report of the Interim Head of Environment and Transport on this matter which advised of the receipt of a petition requesting the closure of Kenton Park Road and provision of a right turn arrow from Kenton Road to Kenton Lane. The report considered the request and options for addressing the problems. Prior to discussing the report, your Panel received a deputation from a resident of Kenton Park Road, Harrow.

The deputee informed the Panel that since Brent Council had banned the right turn from Kenton Road into Kenton Lane in November 2002, an increasing volume of traffic had been passing through Kenton Park Road in order to avoid the traffic lights at the junction of Kenton Road and Kenton Lane. The Panel was advised that congestion further increased when the sports club on Kenton Lane was in use, as parking tended to occur on both sides of the road. Although Brent Council had provided motorists with a signed route for accessing Kenton Lane by passing through the junction and turning left into Woodgrange Avenue and left again into Woodcock Hill, the deputee informed Members that few drivers made use of this option and continued to use Kenton Park Road as their preferred route. The effects of this increased traffic flow included noise pollution, congestion and several cases of road rage.

The deputee advised Members that the installation of a barrier was the only solution to the problems faced by residents and the advantages of this were outlined. These included an increase in the personal safety of residents, particularly children, an improvement in access to driveways and fewer incidents of damage to parked cars.

In relation to the alternative solutions outlined in the officer report, such as the removal of the right turn ban or the installation of speed humps, the deputee set out what he considered to be their disadvantages which included issues of cost, their inability to solve the problem of congestion and the timescale in which these options could be implemented. In addition, he also indicated that the petitioners’ proposed location of the barrier at the junction of Kenton Park Road and Kenton Park Avenue would in his view be a more suitable location.

The deputee concluded by proposing that the emergency services and cyclists should be made exempt from the restrictions imposed by the barrier.

In the discussion that followed, Members sought clarification on a number of issues. With regard to a query concerning funding for the long-term option of installing a third westbound lane in Kenton Road, as recommended in the officer report, the Panel was advised that the earliest a bid could be submitted to Transport for London (TfL) would be 2005, for construction to commence in 2006/2007. In response to a query regarding the location of the barrier and accessibility for refuse and other large vehicles, an officer informed Members that both options were unacceptable because of the lack of a proper turning facility but a barrier at the junction  ...  view the full minutes text for item

Your Panel received a reference from the Development Control Committee meeting held on 7 July 2004 which set out their concerns regarding access to/egress from Uxbridge Road from Westfield Park.  Members commented that they were sympathetic to the concerns of the residents of Hatch End, and that there was a need for further parking restrictions on both sides of the road in Westfield Park.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (To the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport)

That (1) officers take all necessary action to implement ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions on both sides of the road in Westfield Park over a distance of 20 metres measured along the centre line of Westfield Park from its intersection point with the northerly channel of Uxbridge Road (as shown on the plan in Appendix 1 of the officer report), subject to consultation and the consideration of any objections; and

(2) the consultation include the option suggested by the Hatch End Association to extend the restrictions up to the Oakdene Close junction.

[REASON: To deter obstructive parking.]

Your Panel received a reference from the Cabinet meeting held on 29 July 2004 asking the Panel to consider a petition from the residents of Wynchgate and Whitegate Gardens in relation to an urgent matter of public safety.  Members were informed that an ambulance had recently been obstructed by school parking on and around the small roundabout at the junction of Wynchgate and Whitegate gardens.

A Member queried the ability to enforce further parking restrictions during the School Safety Zone period, to which an officer replied that it would be difficult as parents tended to stay close to their vehicles and move them once an enforcer approached.

Members suggested that officers ask the Headteacher to warn all parents of the possibility of further parking restrictions if they did not act in a more responsible manner. It was also proposed that the police should be more vigilant in the area around schools that had problems of this nature.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (To the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport)

That (1) the suggestions outlined above be given consideration;

(2) officers investigate, design and consult on further waiting restrictions to address the problem of obstructive parking; and

(3) the head petitioner be informed accordingly.

[REASON: To respond to concerns raised by the petitioners.]

Your Panel received a report of the Interim Head of Environment and Transport which detailed and gave consideration to the objections received in relation to the Edgware Controlled Parking Zone.

Several Members commented that a general approval and consensus had now been achieved and hoped that the revised recommendations would please the majority.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (To the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport)

That (1) the objections to the traffic orders for alterations and extension of Edgware Controlled Parking Zone be set aside for reasons given in the report;

(2) the advertised waiting restrictions in Winton Gardens be amended to operate between 2.00 pm and 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday;

(3)  officers proceed with the amended traffic order making and implementation of the scheme shown at Appendix D of the officer report and in accordance with the details at Appendix F under Sections 6, 45, 46 and 49 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984; and

(4)  the objectors and head petitioners be informed accordingly.

[REASON: To control parking.]

Your Panel received a report of the Interim Head of Environment and Transport regarding the speed and volume of traffic in Old Church Lane and Abercorn Road. The report proposed an investigation into traffic speed and outlined possible measures to reduce it.

The Chair referred the Panel to item 6.8 in the officer report which proposed the erection of speed activated signs as a possible solution to the problems. An officer informed Members that there were three possible messages the sign(s) could display. The first would highlight the speed the driver was travelling at, the second would display the 30 mph speed limit and the third would also display this limit but with the additional message of ‘Slow Down’. Members agreed that the third option was preferable.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (To the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport)

That (1) the erection of speed activated sign(s) as a means of reducing traffic speed be agreed; and

(2)  the sign(s) display the message ’30 mph’ and ‘Slow Down’.

[REASON: To improve road safety.]

To note the appointment of Councillor Miles as the Chair of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel for the 2004/2005 Municipal Year, as agreed at the Cabinet Meeting of 20 May 2004.

RESOLVED:  To note the appointment of Councillor Miles as Chair of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel for the 2004/2005 Municipal Year, as agreed at the Cabinet Meeting of 20 May 2004.

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             after notifying the Chair at the start of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no Reserve Members in attendance at this meeting.

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED: To note the following declaration of interest:

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the Panel for the 2004/2005 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Choudhury be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel for the 2004/2005 Municipal Year.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That (1) all items be considered with the press and public present;

(2)  item 10 on the Main Agenda be considered before item 9; and

(3)  item 12(a) on the Main Agenda be considered after item 9.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2004, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2004, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

Amend minute 46, paragraph 3 to reflect the fact that it had been agreed that officers needed to collaborate with Brent officers and TfL before the expiry of the experimental period to find an appropriate solution to the problems at this junction, and that they should report back to the Panel on the outcome.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 13 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note the receipt of the following petition, which was referred to officers for consideration:

Petition Requesting the Inclusion of Thornley Drive in the South Harrow CPZ (Controlled Parking Zone)

Councillor John Nickolay presented the above petition which had been signed by 20 residents.

Report of the Borough Solicitor.

RESOLVED: To appointment the following advisers to the Panel for the 2004/2005 Municipal Year:

The above deputation request has been received. The request meets the requirements of Advisory Panel Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution). Agenda Item 12(a) refers.

RESOLVED: To note the receipt of the above deputation.

(See Recommendation 1).

(See Recommendation 1).

Reference from Council Meeting held on 26 February 2004.

The Panel received a reference from the Council meeting held on 26 February 2004 which requested that the Panel consider a petition regarding traffic calming measures at Whitefriars First and Middle School. Officers commented that a bid of £110,000 had been submitted to Transport for London for the introduction of a 20 mph zone, incorporating traffic calming measures around Whitefriars School.

RESOLVED:  That the reference be noted.

Reference from Tenants' and Leaseholders' Consultative Forum meeting held on 4 March 2004.

The Panel received a reference from the Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Consultative Forum meeting held on 4 March 2004 asking the Panel to consider the problems with traffic and parking from Rayners Lane Station to Village Way. It was proposed that officers take note of the suggestions made in the next Rayners Lane Controlled Parking Zone Review, scheduled to start in the next financial year (2005/2006).

RESOLVED:  That (1) the reference be noted; and

(2)  that officers take account of the suggestions made in the next Rayners Lane Controlled Parking Zone Review, scheduled to start in the next financial year (2005/2006).

Reference from the Council Meeting held on 29 April 2004.

The Panel received a reference from the Council meeting held on 29 April 2004 which requested that the Panel consider a petition regarding the installation of a right filter light at the junction of Station Road and Pinner Road, North Harrow. It was advised that officers would be considering this option and another report was to be expected in due course.

A Member commented that the junction made it difficult for pedestrians to cross Station Road safely and the provision of a pedestrian refuge should be established. It was agreed that this suggestion would be given consideration.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the reference be noted; and

(2)  the suggestion outlined above be given consideration.

Reference from the Council Meeting held on 29 April 2004.

The Panel received a reference from the Council meeting held on 29 April 2004 which asked the Panel to consider a petition objecting to the traffic scheme in Stafford Road. The Chair advised Members that while a school safety zone had been agreed by the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, the issue of parking conditions in Stafford Road needed to be given further consideration and a report would be issued in due course.

A Member commented that the problem was caused by parents taking their children to school by car and the installation of speed humps was required in order to protect children’s safety.

RESOLVED:  That the reference be noted.

(See also Minute 48).

Reference from the Development Control Committee Meeting held on 18 May 2004.

The Panel received a reference from the Development Control Committee meeting held on 18 May 2004.

RESOLVED: That the reference be noted.

Reference from the Development Control Committee Meeting held on 7 July 2004.

(See Recommendation 2).

Reference from the Cabinet meeting held on 29 July 2004.

(See Recommendation 3).

(See Recommendation 4).

(See Recommendation 5).