Agenda and minutes

Your Panel received a petition from residents of Rayners Lane and neighbouring streets, which had been referred from the Council meeting on 21 April 2005. The Panel additionally received a deputation from residents, making specific requests for controls on the H12 bus route on Rayners Lane.

The Panel discussed the weight restrictions imposed on vehicles using Rayners Lane. The current weight restriction applied to goods vehicles exceeding 7.5-tonnes gross weight, excepting vehicles that required access to land or premises within the zone, and it was noted that whilst the Council could impose traffic orders to include PSVs in the restriction, Transport for London (TfL) could object to such a restriction. The Panel was informed that officers had approached TfL for a funding contribution towards the maintenance costs.

The Panel was advised that the route of the H12 bus served several colleges within the borough, and that the decision to increase the capacity of the buses on the route was taken following continued concern that some parts of the route were overcrowded. The Panel agreed to refer the concerns of the petitioners regarding erratic driving on this part of the route to the Bus and Highways Liaison Meeting on 29 June 2005.

The Panel agreed that residents and elected Members should accompany officers on a site visit to ascertain the damage to roads and to review appropriate traffic management measures.

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

That (1) the on-going investigations with respect to safety and road condition be noted and that officers be authorised to implement remedial measures as part of the traffic management and road maintenance programmes as a matter of urgency;

(2)  officers attend a site visit with residents and Members of the Panel and ward councillors, as appropriate;

(3)  the concerns of the petitioners regarding erratic driving be referred to the Bus and Highways Liaison Meeting being held on 29 June 2005.

[REASON:  To address the safety and road condition concerns expressed by the petitioners.]

[See also Minutes 112 and 115].

Your Panel received a petition from residents of Georgian Way, which had been referred from the Council meeting on 21 April 2005.

The Panel was advised of waiting restriction proposals to manage the parking in Georgian Way near St Dominic’s College. The Panel expressed concern at the number of students that travelled to the college by car and were advised that officers had recently visited the college to discuss the proposed restrictions and measures to reduce car travel to the college. It was agreed that the school should be contacted again and encouraged to sign up to a travel plan, and that Councillor Gate and the Chair of Governors should be contacted on the matter. It was brought to the Panel’s attention that encouraging students to use public transport may result in the need for higher capacity or a higher frequency of buses on the route to the school.

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

That officers be instructed (1) to consult the residents and, subject to the results of the consultation, advertise all necessary traffic orders and, subject to the consideration of any objections to the making of the orders, implement the waiting restrictions as shown on the plan at Appendix C to the reference in the agenda;

(2)  to encourage St Dominic’s College to agree to a travel plan for their students;

(3)  to contact Councillor Gate and the Chair of Governors of St Dominic’s College in relation to the objections of the residents and the need for a travel plan.

[REASON:  To manage parking in the vicinity of St Dominic’s College.]

The Panel received a petition which had been referred from the Council meeting on 21 April 2005, requesting improved pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction at Imperial Drive and The Ridgeway. The Panel was informed that approximately 400 additional signatures had been obtained since the petition was submitted.  

It was advised that any changes to the signalling in this area to improve pedestrian facilities would have wider implications on traffic congestion in the area, and it was suggested that traffic options for the junction be investigated in conjunction with the Safer Routes to School Scheme for Longfield First and Middle Schools.

In the discussion that followed, Members of the Panel suggested improvements that could be made at the junction and on the approaches, including the installation of a yellow box junction, which the Panel agreed would be worthwhile and should be undertaken before the consultation on the Safer Routes to School Scheme.

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

That (1) the officers’ report and the on-going study to improve pedestrian facilities in this area, as well as the comments of the Panel, be noted;

(2)  officers be authorised to install a yellow box at the junction to improve traffic flow.

[REASON:  To improve traffic flow through the junction and investigate improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities.]

The Panel received a report of the Director of Area Services, Urban Living, which detailed the proposed Local Safety Scheme for Uxbridge Road, Hatch End.

The Panel was referred to the second plan in Appendix A. Officers advised that the plan omitted the bus stop immediately west of Dove Park and consequently the merging of two westbound lanes into one would continue to take place west of this bus stop. Officers also advised of the additional proposal to install a speed table in the service road adjacent to the pelican crossing to assist pedestrians.

In the discussion that followed, Members of the Panel suggested that an ambulance parking bay should be considered near the retirement home at 523 Uxbridge Road, and that additional road markings were required at the approaches to the roundabout near Morrisons supermarket. In response to a query regarding the parking arrangements on Grimsdyke Road between Uxbridge Road and the car park access, officers advised that it was proposed to have double yellow line waiting restrictions on both sides of the road with an 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Mon?Sat loading restriction. It was also suggested that the waiting restrictions should be strengthened in the vicinity of the refuge near Woodriding Close where injudicious parking obstructed buses and that consideration be given to widening the cycle lane at the expense of the width of central hatching.

Members discussed the junction between St Thomas Drive and Uxbridge Road, where the H14 bus route terminated. It was noted that the bus used the roundabout at the junction to ‘U’ turn, and Members felt that there was evidence to suggest the buses had difficulty negotiating the roundabout, as well as the problem of northbound drivers on St Thomas Road overshooting the roundabout. A Member considered that a physical barrier was required to protect pedestrians and the adjacent property. It was reported that the Bus and Highway Liaison Meeting had been considering other options for the route of the H14 bus. It was added that a number of measures were being introduced at the roundabout to increase the safety at the junction.

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

That (1) officers be authorised to take all necessary steps to implement the proposed Local Safety Scheme shown at Appendix A to the report, as amended, including:

·         advertising the traffic orders detailed at Appendix E to the report, together with a notice to introduce a speed table in the service road adjacent tot the pelican crossing;

·         consulting the frontages where yellow line waiting restrictions are proposed between Milne Feild and Rowlands Avenue, and at Grimsdyke Road, Cornwall Road, Woodriding Close, Westfield Park and Dove Park;

·         consulting the frontages and emergency services over the introduction of the speed table in the service road adjacent to the pelican crossing;

·         implementing the scheme subject to consideration of objections (if any);

(2) officers investigate the use of additional road markings at the Morrisons roundabout, waiting restrictions near the refuge near Woodriding Close,  ...  view the full minutes text for item

To note the appointment of Councillor Miles as the Chair of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel for the remainder of the 2005/2006 Municipal Year, as agreed at the Cabinet Meeting of 19 May 2005.

RESOLVED:  To note the appointment, at the Cabinet meeting on 19 May 2005, of Councillor Miles as Chair of the Panel for the 2005/2006 Municipal Year.

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 the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

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

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of personal or prejudicial interests made by Members of the Panel arising from the business transacted at this meeting.

To consider the appointment of a Vice-Chair to the Panel for the Municipal Year 2005/2006.

(Note:  The Labour Group has nominated Councillor Anne Whitehead as Vice?Chair). 

Nominations were received and seconded for Councillor Anne Whitehead and Councillor John Nickolay. Upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED:  to appoint Councillor Anne Whitehead as Vice-Chair of the Panel for the 2005/2006 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) the non-voting advisors be appointed before the Panel receive any deputations.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

·         Minute 93: Petitions            

The petition presented by Councillor Arnold was requesting an extension of the Rayners Lane CPZ into West Avenue, not the Stanmore CPZ as stated in the minutes.

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).

The following question was submitted by members of the public, in accordance with Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15:

[Note:  The question above was answered orally. Under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15.2, the questioner also asked supplementary questions which were additionally answered orally].

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 at the meeting of the following petitions, which were referred to officers for consideration:

·         Petition for inclusion of Canons Corner into Harrow Council’s proposal for parking restrictions

Presented by Ms Harjit Sohal in conjunction with the public question received by the Panel, and signed by residents and business representatives of Canons Corner.

·         Petition requesting road safety measures in West Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill

Presented by Councillor Mrs Kinnear and signed by 26 residents of West Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill.

Report of the Director of Legal Services.

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Legal Services. It was

RESOLVED:  To note the appointment of

as non-voting advisors to the Panel for the 2005/2006 Municipal Year.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

The Panel received a deputation from residents of Rayners Lane, which outlined the perceived damage to roads and personal property, issues of road safety and intrusion on the lives of residents resulting from the use of double-decker buses on Rayners Lane.

The deputees suggested changes to the H12 bus route, including the use of single-decker ‘Hoppa’ buses from South Harrow to Pinner, where they would terminate and return, whilst retaining double-decker buses from Pinner to the end of the route, to accommodate the higher volume of passengers using this portion of the route. It was further requested that the 7.5-tonne HGV restriction on Rayners Lane traffic be extended to include PSVs. The deputee informed the Panel that the double-decker buses had had a significantly greater impact on local residents than the single-decker buses ever had.

The Panel discussed the weight restriction imposed in the area, and it was suggested that the road be examined to ascertain whether it could tolerate vehicles with a gross weight exceeding the limit.  

Further to this discussion, the Panel made recommendations to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport detailed in Recommendation 1. The deputees were referred to the Panel’s Legal Officer for advise on the legal issues raised within the deputation.  

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

[See also Recommendation 1 above].

Reference from the Council meeting held on 24 February 2005.

The Panel received a petition which had been referred from the Council Meeting on 24 February 2005, regarding road safety measures in Kenton Park Parade.

The Panel considered the options identified by the officers. It was requested that Option 2 be treated as a separate issue and not be included in this study. It was further suggested that the principle of providing alternative servicing/loading facilities was supported.

RESOLVED:  That officers report back to a future meeting of the Panel on the preferred option identified, and present an action plan to be implemented with the agreement of the Panel.

Reference from the Council Meeting held on 24 February 2005.

The Panel received a petition from residents of Albury Drive and Evelyn Drive, which had been referred from the Council meeting on 24 February 2005.

The Panel was advised that the existing traffic-calming scheme in the area had resulted in significant reductions in traffic speed, volume and personal injury accidents, and that a recent survey had confirmed these observations. A site visit with residents, Members of the Panel, ward councillors and officers was suggested. 

RESOLVED:  To (1) note that the Albury Drive/Evelyn Drive area is listed in the traffic-calming programme so that periodic monitoring, that may highlight the need for early action, takes place;

(2)  authorise officers to attend a site visit with residents, Members of the Panel and ward councillors, as appropriate.

Reference from the Council Meeting held on 21 April 2005.

See Recommendation 1 and Minute 112 above.

Reference from the Council Meeting held on 21 April 2005.

See Recommendation 2.

Reference from the Council Meeting held on 21 April 2005.

See Recommendation 3.

Report of the Director of Area Services (Urban Living).

See Recommendation 4.

Further to Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 12.1 (Part 4E of the Constitution) requiring the termination of the meeting at 10.00 pm, and during the course of the debates then in progress, the Chair proposed at 10.00 pm that it be agreed to extend the ‘guillotine’ until 10.15 pm (subsequently, the Panel approved further extensions until 10.30 pm).

RESOLVED:  That the Panels’ meeting be continued beyond the procedural closure time to enable the items on the agenda and the agreed additional business to be completed.

Verbal report of the Director of Area Services (Urban Living).

Officers provided a verbal update on the progress of the Petts Hill Bridge improvement. The Panel was informed that following problems with the original scheme - namely the failure to reach an agreement with Network Rail on the works, escalating costs and concern of some residents about the pedestrian tunnels – Cabinet had requested that an alternative, more comprehensive solution be explored. The Panel was advised that the cost of a new bridge scheme was estimated at £7m, and it was noted that even with contributions from Network Rail and TfL there would still be a funding gap that the Council would need to bridge to allow the scheme to go ahead. It was added that Network Rail had agreed to review their requirements for strengthening the existing bridge as part of the current scheme, which the Council considered to be unduly onerous.

In the discussion that followed, the Panel was informed that the earliest start of construction, assuming funding could be secured, was spring 2007. It was added that a key constraint on the construction was obtaining the necessary ‘possessions’, or closures, of the railway. In response to a Member’s concern that Network Rail, who had agreed to build the new bridge, may attempt to recover their contribution to the scheme through costs associated with the building works, officers assured the Panel that the contract would be considered in detail before any agreement was made.

Officers informed the Panel that discussions were ongoing with TfL regarding their contribution to the scheme. The possibility of widening the Northolt Road approach to the bridge was also being investigated, but as a separate and subsequent phase.

The Panel welcomed the prospect of the near 100 year old railway bridge over the A312 at Petts Hill being replaced, enabling a four-lane highway and user-friendly pedestrian and cycle facilities to be provided at that point. The Director of Area Services, Urban Living, was congratulated for the successful negotiations he had led with Network Rail and the advice he had received from Councillor Kara prior to those negotiations was acknowledged.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

Which the Chair has decided is urgent and cannot otherwise be dealt with.

Resurfacing of King’s Road

A Member referred to the resurfacing of Kings Road between Malvern Avenue and Warden Avenue, and noted that the work had involved the removal of the ‘speed cushions’ on the road. The Member added that some residents welcomed their removal, and asked that before any decision was made to reinstate the speed cushions the bus operators be consulted at the Bus and Highways Liaison Meeting on 29 June 2005.

Officers reported that the speed cushions had been successful in reducing accidents in the King’s Road area, and suggested that it would be difficult to find a better method. The Panel was advised that the bus operators were content with the existing speed cushions on that section of Kings Road.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.