Agenda and minutes

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.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2011 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2011 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 51 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that the following public questions were received:

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 49 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED: To note the receipt of the following petitions which were referred to the Community and Environment Directorate for consideration:

(1)               The Pavement in Village Way, Rayners Lane

Councillor Joyce Nickolay presented a petition on behalf of local residents relating to the pavement in Village Way, Rayners Lane.  The terms of the petition were as follows:

‘We, residents of Rayners Lane, wish to bring to the attention of the Council the poor state of the pavement on the North Side of Village Way.

Particularly between West Avenue and Central Avenue, buses and heavy vehicles have repeatedly had to run over the pavement subjecting it to much damage.

This section of the pavement slopes significantly towards the road and is dangerous when covered with ice and snow.

Furthermore, it is evident that the utility companies have added to the unevenness when replacing the surface.

We request that the Council deals with his section by complete replacement.’

(2)               Parking regulations and facilities in Hatch End

Mr Peter Jacques, a local resident, presented a petition relating to parking regulations and facilities in Hatch End.  The terms of the petition were as follows:

‘We the business traders of Hatch End would like the current parking regulations and facilities to remain exactly as they are, to sustain the economic vibrancy of this secondary shopping area.’

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 50 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 50 (Part 4D of the Constitution), the following deputation be received:

1.                  Parking Proposals on 843-909 Honeypot Lane, HA7 1AR Parade (Agenda item 8)

The deputee, a trader from Honeypot Lane Parade, made the following points:

·           traders from Honeypot Lane Parade, most of whom had signed the deputation, would prefer a one-hour parking restriction in the mornings between 11.00 am to 12.00 noon, as this would discourage commuter parking;

·           the traders were opposed to parking restrictions in the parade at any other time of day, as this would jeopardise their businesses by discouraging shoppers;

·           would traders be provided with parking permits for the hours of restriction.

The Chairman responded that he was familiar with the Honeypot Lane Shopping Parade and its associated parking problems.  In his view, the deputees’ request for a parking restriction between the hours of 11.00 am to 12.00 noon would have the reverse effect, whereas a restriction between 2.00-3.00 pm would deter all day commuter parking, whilst allowing shoppers access to the parade.  He added that at this time there was no provision for parking permits for traders during the hours of the restriction, however, officers would give this issue consideration.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment, which provided an update on the Council’s Road Safety Plan and provided detailed information on Harrow’s road safety record.

An officer stated that:

·                     the Road Safety Plan had been reviewed following the adoption of Harrow’s second Transport Local Implementation Plan (LIP2);

·                     the Plan included all the road safety policies and information on how these were put into practice;

·                     there was a three year programme of implementation;

·                     Harrow had a good road safety record in comparison to other London boroughs, for example, there had been a 33% reduction in road accidents involving children.

Following comments from advisers to the Panel, an officer stated that Transport for London (TfL) had recognised the danger posed by Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to cyclists and undertook to advise haulage contractors in the borough of the dangers posed to cyclists by larger vehicles particularly when carrying out turning manouevres.  He also and undertook to add an additional section to the report to demonstrate Harrow’s contribution to this initiative.  He added that TfL were planning to launch a safety campaign in central London during the summer of 2012, and officers had requested that the HGV being used as part of the safety campaign be brought to Harrow to demonstrate the dangers posed to cyclists by large vehicles.

The officer added that Harrow had run an awareness campaign targeted at drivers of HGVs at the end of 2011, which would be run again in 2012 and be funded by Harrow’s TfL road safety budget.  The officer invited the adviser representing cyclists’ interests to contribute to the road safety campaign in 2012/13.  He stated that TfL would be funding a similar safety campaign aimed at pedestrians.

A Member stated that road safety had been an under resourced area for a number of years and commended officers on their work in this area.  He emphasised the importance of road safety and raising awareness amongst road users and pedestrians.

Following questions from members of the Panel, an officer advised that:

·                     every school in Harrow was visited once a year to offer road safety advice;

·                     the mobile speed activated signs referred to in the report were being trialled at the time and were therefore sometimes moved from one location to another;

·                     Speed Activated Signs (SASs) had proved effective in reducing vehicle speeds;

·                     someSASs had yet to be erected, although the poles for these had been installed in some locations.

An adviser to the Panel commended officers on the report and suggested it be made widely available on the Council’s website, to the public and other interested parties.

An adviser to the Panel stated that he had noticed increased deterioration in warning signs and in road markings maintenance throughout the borough.  This was a health and safety issue and should be addressed.

A Member of the Panel stated that funds available in the neighbourhood investment scheme had been used to refurbish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment, which provided information about parking management schemes in Harrow, details of requests and representations received and recommendations for priorities for new schemes in 2012/13.

 An officer stated that:

·                     the costs of the schemes detailed in the report were estimates as the actual costs of each scheme was dependant on the views of the public;

·                     officers were anticipating a reduction in the overall budget available for the review of parking schemes in the future, and a proportion of this budget would need to be set aside for the Local Safety Parking Scheme.  However, there were potential Section 106 (S106) funds available to supplement this;

·                     because the Capital Allocation could not fund every request for a review of a parking scheme, officers were recommending a prioritisation of the funding available.  Although the automatic review of a parking scheme, which normally took place between six to twelve months after implementation had become the norm in recent years, these automatic reviews had significant implications in terms of cost and staff time.  Therefore, officers were proposing that, in the future, reviews only take place for those schemes where there was significant public demand.

Following questions from Members of the Panel, an officer stated that historically, S106 funds were only released after completion of a project or if the Council could demonstrate the existence of issues that would cause the funding to be released.  In the future, traffic officers would be working more closely with planning officers in this area.

A back benching Member stated that with regard to the review of parking in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, the report stated that the local residents’ association had indicated that views on this issue were split.  The Member stated that in her view, views were not split fifty-fifty, but that some residents continued to have concerns.  The proposed parking controls in The Broadway had aroused strong feeling among residents, many of whom did not want it to extend into residential areas.  Most of the traders in Hatch End had signed the petition and the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Enterprise had visited them recently to discuss the matter.  Another business in Hatch End had closed down recently, and many of the remaining business were struggling financially.  She requested that both the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Enterprise and the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety meet with the traders to discuss ways forward.  She added that, she held regular street surgeries in Hatch End.  At one such surgery, one of the largest traders in Hatch End had indicated that it had incurred considerable losses due to the parking restrictions on Sundays.

Following questions from Members of the Panel, an officer stated that scheme reviews were normally carried out between six to twelve months after implementation of a scheme.  The scheme at Hatch End was subject to consultation due for implementation in 2012/13.

A back benching Member stated that the Rayners  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment which set out the results of the public consultation following a review of the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) introduced in the Burnt Oak Broadway area in April 2011.  An officer stated that the report made a number of recommendations which had been formulated on the basis of the results of the consultation.

The officer added that the scheme had originally been planned to include a review of parking around Krishna Avanti School.  However a recent further planning application for this site had meant this was not practical and a further consulation would be carried out in this area once the implications of the recent palnning application were known.  There were Section 106 monies available to fund this.

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

That

(1)               the following be taken forward to statutory consultation:

(a)               the Chase – from Columbia Avenue to Oakleigh Avenue now be included in the CPZ;

(b)               Columbia Avenue – between Burnt Oak Broadway and Vancouver Road – the two existing south westerly Pay and Display (P&D) parking bays be converted to Shared Use P&D / Resident Permit parking bays;

(c)               Oakleigh Avenue and The Highlands – at their junction with Burnt Oak Broadway – remove the existing loading bays, install double yellow lines and convert the existing P&D bays to allow morning peak time loading while retaining P&D for shoppers etc;

(2)               Axholme Avenue, Broomgrove Gardens, Orchard Grove – extend the existing double yellow lines by 5 metres on the southwestern side of each road at its junction with Oakleigh Avenue;

(3)               Camrose Avenue – extend the existing double yellow line on southeast side by approximately 10 metres northeast;

(4)               the results of the statutory consultation be presented to the Portfolio Holder for his consideration;

(5)               residents within the consultation areas be informed of this decision;

(6)               officers be authorised to make minor amendments where required for technical or practical reasons;

(7)               further consultation on possible parking controls around the Krishna Avanti School take place when the implications of the recent planning approval is known and the S106 agreement is in place.

Reason for Decision:  To control parking in the existing Burnt Oak Broadway area as well as the surrounding roads as detailed in the report.  To respond to residents’ requests for changes to the existing parking arrangements in their area and to maintain road safety and accessibility for vehicular traffic.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment, which set out the results of the public consultation of the Canons Park Station area wide parking review.  An officer stated that the proposals contained in the report were, subject to approval, due to be taken to statutory consultation.  He added that some of the area covered by the report had extended beyond the scope originally anticipated by officers.

Following questions from Members of the Panel, an officer advised that:

·                     one-hour controls in the pay and display bays set out in paragraph C of the recommendation permitted shoppers, residents and permit holders to park there;

·                     at a previous Panel meeting, Members of the Panel had agreed to a resident’s suggestion to introduce pay and display, disabled and residents parking bays on Whitchurch Lane to deal with the displaced parking from the Hitchin Lane development;

·                     the people on Station Parade requesting residents permits referred to in the report were those residents living in the properties above the shops;

·                     residents’ representatives from the Canons Park Residents’ Association had advised that they wanted extended double yellow lines in the small area in Wychwood Avenue beyond the junction of Howberry Road however the adjacent residents response did not support this.

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

That

(1)               the following be taken forward to statutory consultation:

(a)               Donnefield Avenue (Area 1 on plan in Appendix D) – permit bays be introduced with hours of operation between 8:00 to 18:30;

(b)               Torbridge Close (Area 2 on plan in Appendix D) – permit bays be introduced with hours of operation between 14:00 to 15:00;

(c)               Station Parade (Area 3 on Plan in Appendix D) – at the front of the parade in the service road, single yellow lines be controlled for two hours during the day, between 10:00 to 11:00 and 14:00 to 15:00, with a number of joint permit and pay and display bays provided with hours of operation between 08:00 to 18:30.  At the rear of station parade, double yellow lines be introduced on the bends and through narrow sections and a single yellow line be introduced through the remainder, with control times of 12:00 to 13:00;

(d)               Cheyneys Avenue between the junction of Cloyster Wood to the northern property boundary of 118 Cheyneys Avenue, (Area 4 on plan in Appendix D) – single yellow lines be introduced with control times between 14:00 to 15:00;

(e)               Du Cros Drive (Area 5 on plan in Appendix D) – single yellow line be introduced with a one hour control in the afternoon between 15:00 to 16:00;

(f)                 Buckingham Road between Whitchurch Lane and Buckingham Gardens, (Area 6 on plan in Appendix D) – a combination of double yellow and single yellow line controls be introduced with control times between 14:00 and 15:00;

(g)               Buckingham Gardens, (Area 6 on plan in Appendix D) – single yellow lines be introduced with control times between 14:00 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment outlining petitions that had been received since the meeting of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel on 23 November, including details of the Council’s investigations where these had been undertaken. 

An officer made the following points about the petitions listed below:

Honeypot Lane and Winchester Road – Traffic Safety Proposals

·                     three petitions were received in relation to Malvern Gardens and Winchester Road as part of the Honeypot Lane LSS an analysis of the results of the public consultation had proved inconclusive;

·                     residents in Malvern Gardens had been concerned about displaced parking in roads surrounding Winchester Road.

·                     Members had voiced concern about changes to the hours of operation of the bus lane at the November Panel meeting, and it was decided not to amend these but it was agreed that the bus lane be shortened by 80 metres.  Additional signage and a pedestrian refuge were introduced following discussions with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety to improve pedestrian access in the area.

A back benching Member stated the following with regard to parking controls and lack of adequate parking on Winchester Road:

·                     there was a general trend in increased car ownership and car use both locally and nationally, which impacted on Harrow residents;

·                     there was a significant amount of anti-social parking on Winchester Road whereby cars were being parked on both sides of the road, in disabled spaces and on kerbs, blocking driveways, and causing other access problems, for example, bins not being collected;

·                     some of the overspill parking was caused by Brent residents;

·                     residents from Winchester Road had submitted a petition and organised a public meeting about parking problems on their street, which had been attended by traffic officers;

·                     the Police had advised that any parking scheme implemented would cause further displaced parking.

The Member added that she would welcome suggestions from Members and officers about any innovative parking schemes, awareness campaigns that targeted behavioural change, or additional signage that would help alleviate parking problems in this area.

An officer advised that:

·                     this was a borough-wide as well as nation-wide problem.  He added that there were two main issues.  Firstly, obstruction of access and secondly management of demand, which could be done through controlled parking measures such as double yellow lines;

·                     demand management would require a study of demand for and availability of parking in a particular area.  If parking issues in an area related purely to access, then these could be addressed under a separate programme of works which dealt with access and safety issues;

·                     in his experience, awareness campaigns had limited impact in areas with severe parking pressures.

The officer made the following additional points with regard to the petitions listed below:

Kingshill Avenue Area – Proposed double yellow line waiting restrictions

·                     £100k was available from TfL to progress the scheme;

·                     public and statutory consultations had received a good level of response which showed that the majority of residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment, which provided an update on the progress made with delivering the 2011/12 programme of traffic and parking schemes. 

It was noted that the Stanmore Hill scheme was 60% complete and the Mollison Way scheme would be officially opened on 1 March 2012.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Which cannot otherwise be dealt with.

Vote of Thanks

The Chairman stated that this was the last meeting of the Panel for the 2011/12 Municipal Year and he expressed his appreciation to Members, Advisers and officers for their hard work in supporting the work of the Panel.

On behalf of the Panel, the Vice-Chairman offered his best wishes to the Chairman on his Mayorship for 2012/13.

In accordance with the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 48.2 (Part 4D) of the Constitution.

RESOLVED:  At 9.59 pm to continue until 10.10 pm.