Agenda and minutes

The Panel received a report of the Interim Head of Public Realm Infrastructure which informed Members that the annual review for the whole Borough had been carried out. This had included assessments of existing zones and requests for new zones, including petitions. A revised proposed programme had been drawn up accordingly and would include the upgrading of signs.

An officer referred the Panel to the priority list for financial year 2006/07 and 5 year Draft Borough Spending Plan Programme from April 2006 to March 2011, (Appendix D to the report), and explained that the revised programme included five new controlled parking zones and resident parking schemes:

·         Howberry Road Area had been delayed due to call-in.

·         Canons Corner “Pay and Display” had been added at the request of the Panel.

·         Whitchurch Lane Lay-bys “Pay and Display” would remove parked cars from the road.

·         Stanmore had been included in the programme due to Wembley Stadium Event Days.

·         Hatch End Shopping Centre had been added.

The Panel was informed that the Wealdstone review and possible extension and Harrow Weald (Fontwell Close area) review had been delayed by approximately 3-4 months.

A Member, having queried whether pay and display schemes could be used as an interim measure before the introduction of CPZs, was informed by an officer that this could have the negative result of displacement of parking to residential roads. Officers were asked to investigate whether pay and display could be introduced as an interim measure at Hatch End Broadway, Marsh Road, Pinner and Honeypot Lane near Wembrorough Road.

In the discussion that followed, Members sought clarification on a number of issues. In response to concerns expressed about who had been consulted, officers clarified that businesses and residents had been consulted. A Member referred the Panel to a letter contained within the report and requested that officers provide her with a copy of the response given by the Council. A suggestion was made that improved access to Stanmore would be needed if further car parking was provided at the station for Wembley Stadium links.

An officer explained that there would be a report considered at the next meeting of the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Sub-Committee which would outline feasibility studies being undertaken on providing additional parking at Stanmore station in association with housing development.

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

That (1) subject to funding, the priority list as shown in Appendix D of the officer’s report be adopted as the controlled parking zone programme, to include it in the Local Implementation Plan and the Borough Spending Plan submission to Transport for London, and that the head petitioners be advised accordingly;

(2) “pay and display” parking be advertised in the lay-by in front of the shops at Canons Corner and the frontages be consulted in parallel with advertising the traffic orders. The proposed tariff to be similar to those operating close to shops in Edgware CPZ (Montgomery Road, Mead Road and Handel Way) with a maximum stay of  ...  view the full minutes text for item

The Panel received a report of the Interim Head of Public Realm Infrastructure which sought agreement for the way forward with a view to implementing parking controls and altering existing restrictions to address the Council’s stated priority of enhancing the environment and encouraging more sustainable transport activity, reducing accidents and improving bus services. A meeting of officers and stakeholders had been held on 16 March 2005.

It was reported that the response to the consultation process relating to the congestion relief proposals had been limited. It was noted that before parking controls could be implemented, traffic orders would be advertised and this could result in a greater response.

In the discussion that followed officers advised that this scheme did not include a 24 hour bus lane on Northolt Road and the recommendations if implemented should improve traffic flow on Northolt Road. In response to a request from a Member, an officer informed the Panel that there would be liaison with Ward Councillors on the further consultation process proposed for Dudley Gardens and Lower Road.

Concern was raised that Dudley Gardens would not be included in the new extension. Officers advised that if it was included in the programme, this could delay the extension of the zone. The timescale for resolving the issues relating to Dudley Gardens was uncertain at this stage.

The issues of signage and costs of parking were discussed and an officer explained that zone entry signs had been used to reduce the number of signs. However as there had been concern that individual bays were not signed, all future work would address this concern and also signage would be improved in existing zones as resources allowed. It was confirmed that parking charges were included in the consultation document.

An advisor commented that Harrow’s CPZs of 1 or 2 hours prevented commuters from parking whilst enabling businesses and visitors to park outside of the zone’s operational hours and that this approach was a good one.

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

That officers be authorised to:

(1) carry out all necessary operations to implement the amendment and extension of the existing South Harrow Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) as described in the officer’s report and as shown on the plans at Appendices A and C. The operational hours to be Monday to Saturday 10-11am and 2-3pm. Subject to further localised consultation as described in the report, the advertising of the necessary traffic orders and consideration of any formal objections that may be received as a result;

(2) consult the residents and businesses of The Crescent, in parallel with the statutory consultation and implement waiting restrictions as shown on the plan at Appendix B, subject to the consideration of any formal objections that may be received as a result of the advertising of required traffic orders;

(3) consult the residents and businesses of Roxeth Green Avenue, between Abercorn Crescent and Shaftesbury Circle, in parallel with the statutory consultation and implement ‘At any time’ waiting restrictions  ...  view the full minutes text for item

The Panel received a report of the Interim Head of Public Realm Infrastructure which reported the outcome of a public meeting held by Wealdstone traders on 22 February 2006 at which concerns had been raised in relation to trading difficulties caused by access, waiting and loading restrictions in Wealdstone town centre.

An officer explained that concern had been raised about traders in the pedestrianised area having difficulties in obtaining deliveries during permitted loading periods and that an urgent review would be undertaken to address the concerns. The Panel discussed the concerns of traders and how these could be addressed through the undertaking of the urgent review.

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

That (1) officers be authorised to carry out an urgent review of access times for servicing vehicles in the pedestrianised area of Wealdstone High Street;

(2) officers issue leaflets to traders, as part of the forthcoming Wealdstone CPZ review consultation, to clarify the definition of “loading”.

[REASON: To report the outcome of a public meeting arranged by Wealdstone traders on 22 February 2006 to raise concerns with the Council over trading difficulties caused by access, waiting and loading restrictions in Wealdstone town centre.]

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)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business transacted at this meeting.

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) in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the following agenda item be admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2) all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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 petitions were received at this meeting under the provisions of the 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 petitions which were referred to the relevant officer for consideration:

(i)   Petition seeking the installation of pedestrian lights or traffic lights to replace the Uxbridge Road roundabout between Kenton Lane and Clamp Hill

Presented by Councillor Ismail and signed by 120 people.

(ii)   Petition seeking an urgent review and implementation of a School Safety Zone around St Johns C of E School, Stanmore

Presented by Councillor Marilyn Ashton and signed by over 250 people.

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

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

Report of the Interim Head of Public Realm Infrastructure

(See Recommendation 1).

Report of the Interim Head of Public Realm Infrastructure

(See Recommendation 2).

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

(i)       Withdrawal of the 350 Bus Service

      The Panel was advised that the 350 bus service would terminate on 26 March 2006 as funding at the increased rate could not be provided by Transport for London. Following a campaign against the withdrawal of the bus service, the H18 bus route would become a circular route through the introduction of the H19 bus route. Although this would provide a service from Headstone Lane to Harrow, there would be the loss of the part of the 350 bus route from Watford, which would mean that Oxhey Lane, Courtney Avenue and Royston Park were without a bus service. The Panel’s advisor on public transport matters indicated that representations would continue to be made to provide a replacement service for these roads.

(ii)     Local Safety Scheme and Traffic Calming Programme

      A Member asked for clarification on the scheme that had been agreed by the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport relating to Station Road, Imperial Drive and Alexandra Avenue. An officer explained that the agreed scheme incorporated some but not all of the Member’s earlier suggestions. There was a finite budget which had been ring fenced for safety works and it was not possible to use this budget to solve all of the problems on these roads. Funding had been targeted at improving safety. The scheme was funded by Government funding via the Local Public Services Agreement and if accident reduction targets were met there was potential for reward funding.

(iii)    Thanks

      The Chair thanked Advisors, Members and Officers for their contributions to the Panel. Members also thanked the Chair.