Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment, which was admitted late to the agenda due to an extensive amount of work required to meet the quality assurance procedure and the issue of an independent quality assurance certificate.  Members were requested to consider the item as a matter of urgency to enable the issue to be discussed at the first possible opportunity.  The report set out the findings of the public consultation for the proposed Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in the West Harrow area.

The Panel received a deputation on this item from residents living near West Harrow Underground Station, which expressed their support for the proposed CPZ.  It was stated that:

·                     the creation of a CPZ would prevent commuters parking in the area and leaving vehicles for long periods of time;

·                     there was a noticeable difference in the availability of parking spaces between weekdays and the weekend. Although a local politician had demonstrated available parking on a weekday this had been when London Underground services were not operating due to industrial action hence the commuter parking problems were not present;

·                     residents had heard commuters stating that they purposely travelled to West Harrow Station, as there were no parking restrictions in the surrounding area;

·                     residents complained of road rage instances with arriving commuters  being impatient in finding suitable parking close to West Harrow station;

·                     residents could often not park close to their homes during work hours, as spaces were taken by commuters using the station. This was of particular concern to elderly and less mobile residents;

·                     the situation would be made worse if other nearby areas became subject to controlled parking restrictions.

The Panel also agreed to waive the 6 month restriction on deputations on the same issue under Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rules.  The Panel subsequently received a deputation from the West Harrow Residents’ Group, expressing their opposition to the proposed CPZ.  It was stated that:

·                     in the event the proposed CPZ was implemented, an assurance should be given that the  West Harrow Residents’ Group would be represented during the review process and the review would be robust;

·                     the amount of double yellow lines proposed  in the area was excessive;

·                     two reports had been produced detailing the total number of parking spaces in the area.  However, the information contained in the reports was inconsistent and should therefore be re?examined;

·                     the Police had not submitted a standard response supporting the proposed CPZ and had stated that the CPZ could result in a rise in disputes and police call?outs;

·                     the Council should consider other parking initiatives such as double yellow lines for a maximum distance of 5m from junctions and allowing vehicles to mount two wheels on the pavements where appropriate.  Such controls had been utilised in Hillingdon;

·                     large surpluses were generated from permit charges and fines. Harrow should issue first permit free like the neighbouring Borough of Hillingdon  ...  view the full minutes text for item

In accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the Panel received a report of the Report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment, which was admitted late to the agenda due to an extensive amount of work required to meet the quality assurance procedure.  Members were requested to consider the item as a matter of urgency to enable the issue to be discussed at the first possible opportunity.

An officer presented a report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment, which summarised the findings of the re-consultation for Lake View and consideration of Statutory Objections to the traffic order.

In response to questions from the Panel, an officer stated that:

·                     an hour long parking restriction (Monday to Friday 11.00 am to noon) was proposed for the extension to the CPZ;

·                     parking spaces would be offered wherever it was safe to do so, with factors such as road width and proximity to junctions having been taken into consideration;

·                     local residents had reported that lack of parking space was due to businesses leaving vehicles in the area for long periods.

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

That (1) the proposed extension of the CPZ (Zone TB) in Lake View be not proceeded with;

(2)  the existing CPZ (Zone TB) be extended to include property numbers 21?41 and 54?68 Canons Drive and Chestnut Avenue to operate Monday - Friday 11.00 am - 12 midday, as shown in Appendix G to the report;

(3)  double yellow line restrictions be introduced at the junctions/locations shown in Appendix G to the report;

(4)  short term pay and display parking be introduced outside property numbers 85?93 High Street, Edgware, as shown at Appendix G to the report, with the following charges: 40 pence per half hour or part half hour with maximum stay of 2 hours, with no return within 2 hours, operating 9.30 am ? 4.30 pm Monday - Friday inclusive;

(5)  the existing ‘Permit Parking Only’ signs in the CPZ Zones TA and TB be amended to indicate the control hours, as agreed in the Local Implementation Plan (LIP);

(6)  the existing pay and display signs to the shared pay and display parking bays in Canons Drive, Handel Way, High Street, Edgware, Mead Road, and Montgomery Road be amended to replace the wording ‘Business Permits Holders and Resident Permit Holders’ with ‘Permit Holders’;

(7) the Traffic and Highway Network Manager be authorized, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety, to make minor amendments and finalise the detailed design in accordance with Appendix G of the report and that officers be authorised to take all necessary steps under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to make the traffic orders and implement the scheme.

Reason for Recommendation:  To control parking in roads in Edgware (Canons Estate) as set out in the report.

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 the following interests were declared:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2009 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2009, 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 16 (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 16 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive petitions submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

Petitions presented at the meeting:

1.                   Councillor Mrs. Eileen Kinnear presented a petition containing 34 signatures on behalf of residents in Cavendish Road, which requested that the Panel investigate methods to slow vehicle speeds on the road.  The petition also requested that the current waiting restrictions near to the junction with Greenford Road be replaced with no waiting at any time or between 6.00 am and Midnight, in order to deal with congestion and queuing problems.

2.                   Councillor David Perry presented a petition containing 74 signatures on behalf of residents from Torver Road, Lowick Road, Sparkbridge Road and Rusland Park Road, which requested that the Panel consider repaving the walkways and resurfacing the roads in the area.

3.                   Councillor Husain Akhtar presented a petition containing 302 signatures from patients of Watling Medical Centre, which requested that the Panel change the CPZ hours in the area from 10.00 ? 11.00 and 15.00 ? 16.00 to 12.00  ? 14.00, as the existing hours covered the practice’s busiest times.

4.                   Councillor Husain Akhtar presented a petition containing 35 signatures from residents in Berry Hill, Brockleyside, Rees Drive, Chevalier Close, Partridge Close and London Road, which requested that the yellow lines be amended or removed in the area, Saturday parking restrictions be lifted and that a scheme similar to the event day parking scheme in Brent for major events that fall on a Saturday or Sunday be adopted.

5.                   Councillor Susan Hall presented a petition containing 132 signatures from residents, relatives and staff from Kestral Grove Private Residential and Nursing Home for the Elderly, which requested that the Panel support the request to Transport for London to provide additional bus stops near Hive Road on the 258 bus route.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rules 15 and 24 (Part 4E of the Constitution), the following deputations in respect of agenda item 9, West Harrow Area Parking Review and Proposed Controlled Parking Zone – Results of Statutory and Informal Consultation and Proposals for Implementation should be received in respect of:

·                     Residents in favour of the proposed CPZ.  Received from residents living near West Harrow Station.

·                     Residents opposed to the proposed CPZ.  Received from the West Harrow Residents’ Group.

To receive any references from Council and/or other Committees or Panels.

The Panel received two references from the Council meeting held on 29 October 2009.  The first reference contained a petition which requested that the Peterborough end of Grove Hill Road be closed. The petition is reported within the information report at Minute 189. The second reference contained a petition which requested that the Council re-surface and implement traffic calming measures for The Heights, Northolt.

RESOLVED:  That the petitions be received and noted.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community and Environment.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment outlining details of petitions that had been received since the Panel meeting in 15 September 2009.

In relation to the petition concerning Eastcote Lane, a Member of the Panel stated that the Panel should wait for the results of traffic, volume and speed surveys before making any decisions on the matter. 

In relation to the petition from residents of Grove Hill Road, a Member and an adviser to the panel stated that they were opposed to closing one end of the road, as the measure would disproportionately impede and inconvenience motorists.

In relation to the petition on Stanley Road, an officer stated that the parking issues were being investigated as part of the current review of the South Harrow CPZ, and that the issue of speeding vehicles had been raised with the police.  A Member, who was not a Member of the Panel, stated that there may be difficulties in securing funding for repair work to the road, due to the priority based assessment that would be used.

In relation to the petition on Eastcote Road, an adviser to the Panel suggested that it should be established whether the owners of the old Medical Centre, currently a nursery, could be asked to allow the public to use the car park.

In relation to the petition on Honeypot Lane, a Member, who was not a Member of the Panel, stated that small traders were in support of parking controls.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community and Environment.

(See Recommendation 1)

Report of the Corporate Director, Community and Environment.

(See Recommendation 2)

Report of the Corporate Director, Community and Environment.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment outlining progress on key parking and traffic schemes.

A number of Members expressed their support for the schemes presented by officers.

An officer stated that, in order to access increased funding for traffic, highway and parking improvements, the Traffic Management team was looking to work with the Planning department.  The Panel would be kept updated on any progress.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.