Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director, Community.

The Panel considered a report of the Corporate Director, Community, which provided an update on progress with the 2017/18 traffic and parking management programme of works.  This included schemes funded by Transport for London (TfL) and schemes included in Harrow’s Capital Programme.

A Member stated that Canons Ward Councillors had not been informed or consulted regarding the outcome of the proposed changes to yellow lines on Howberry Road.  An officer advised that he would seek clarification regarding the matter and would respond to the Member after the meeting.

An Adviser to the Panel stated that there was severe congestion in North Harrow on Station Road between Canterbury Road and Southfield Park due to cars being parked on both sides of the road.  This meant two cars or a car and a bus could not pass at the same time.  He also requested officers to re?consider the proposed relocation of the bus stop and parking bays opposite Canterbury Road as this would mean a longer walk to the bus stop from North Harrow tube station.

A Member back benching stated that:

·                     In June 2014, following proposals to expand Whitefriars School and increase its pupils numbers to 1500 pupils, the Council had commissioned a transport assessment.  The assessment predicted an increase in car journeys and congestion in the vicinity of the school and recommended that Double Yellow Lines be implemented and the existing CPZ (Controlled Parking Zone) be extended.  The CPZ had last been reviewed in 2007 and it was long overdue for re-assessment;

·                     congestion in the area had increased in recent years, with more anticipated once the Whitefriars’ School expansion was complete.  There was additional congestion caused by worshippers at the Sri Lankan Islamic Cultural Centre with worshippers all leaving the centre around the same time after Friday prayers.  Additionally, the introduction of religious classes in the evenings at the Cultural Centre was causing further congestion in the early evenings, which meant local residents could not park near their homes;

·                     the Parking Enforcement team had informed him that, on average, only one ticket was issued each day in the area;

·                     he requested the Panel to forward a Recommendation to the Portfolio Holder for Community calling for a parking Review to be carried out in the vicinity of Whitefriars School within the next 12 months.  He suggested that residents should be consulted about the possible implementation of a one-way scheme, to help reduce congestion in the area.

The Panel Members were advised that the Panel normally made formal  Recommendations to the Portfolio Holder on the basis of formal officer reports which had received the appropriate legal and finance clearances and following discussion with relevant internal stakeholders. 

A Member of the Panel stated that bearing in mind the above information it would not be advisable for the Panel to agree the back benching Member’s request.  He added that it might be possible to fund the Review as part of the proposed Regeneration Scheme for Wealdstone.  Some of the issues mentioned by the back-benching Member also affected Marlborough Ward and a joint approach to tackling congestion in both Wards would be preferable.  He further added that that the Panel and officers had noted the back benching Member’s concerns regarding traffic issues in Wealdstone.  He requested officers to provide a report regarding the matter to the February 2018 meeting of the Panel.

The back benching Member further requested that the officer report provide costings and identify any potential funding stream for the review and any potential scheme.

Another Member back benching stated that:

·                     it was her understanding that the Mayor of London had stated cars should be banned from the vicinity of schools as they caused pollution.  Therefore, she was not in favour of any traffic calming scheme, within a 20 mph zone which might increase the amount of pollution near schools;

·                     there was evidence to suggest that both road humps and road cushions caused increased pollution;

·                     she asked what changes had been made to the plans for traffic calming measures in the vicinity of Woodlands School.  There was congestion and inconsiderate parking in the vicinity of Pinner Park School.  Were there any other traffic calming measures that could be introduced in the borough that did not include speed humps or cushions?

An officer advised that:

·                     some modifications had been made to the Scheme proposed for the vicinity of Woodlands Road associated with St. John Fisher School.  Some of the speed cushions had been removed and replaced with painted 20 mph roundels.  The speed platform proposed at Melrose Road would remain;

·                     enforcement vehicles with cameras mounted on them operated outside schools.  He undertook to look into the possibility of installing a fixed camera outside the school in question;

·                     another officer added that the council used a number of strategies to deal with those drivers who contravened parking controls or parked inconsiderately in the vicinity of schools, such as issuing PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices), leafleting drivers and speaking to drivers who sat with their engines idling outside schools.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.