Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Community concerning the identification, prioritisation, development and implementation of parking management schemes in the Borough; it provided information about requests for parking schemes received by the Council and also recommended a programme of work for 2018/19.

A Member was concerned that Buckingham Road, which had been the subject of a petition to full Council, had not been recommended for inclusion in the parking programme.   He considered that the schemes which had been prioritised in the report might actually worsen the situation in Buckingham Road if implemented.

Another Member referred to the problem of overspill parking in the Lower Road area and the importance of regulating parking here for the benefit of both local residents and businesses.  He underlined the need to protect the smaller residential roads from overspill parking and the importance of implementing a solution as soon as possible.

A Member expressed her support for the residents of the West Street / Nelson Road area who were suffering from the displacement of parking of other controlled parking zones (CPZs). 

A resident spoke about the parking situation on the Hill and the need to regulate parking in West Street and Nelson Road.  She referred to the impact of the conversion of larger properties to flats and new developments in the area.  She was concerned that a poorly designed scheme might be unhelpful and that there could be displacement of parking to adjacent areas.  The resident urged full consultation with local residents and businesses, and suggested that new flats created as a result of conversion or new developments could be excluded from a future parking scheme to manage demand.

A Member of the Panel acknowledged the strength of feeling among residents of Harrow-on-the-Hill about the CPZ; he pointed to the complexity of dealing with parking pressures as evidenced in the report on the agenda.  He suggested that the process of consultation would help identify options for the effective review and amendment of schemes.

A resident of Oxford Road spoke about the proposed changes to the County Roads CPZ and the representations from local businesses on Pinner Road.  While supportive of local shops and businesses, the resident pointed to the displacement impact on the small residential area between CPZ zones U and NH1. 

A resident referred to the petition from residents of Cavendish Drive and Dorset Drive which had recently been supplemented with additional signatures and representations.  There was considerable local concern over the dangers and disturbance caused by the roads being used by large vehicles such as low loaders and for the sale and testing of vehicles.  The resident queried whether these vehicles were licensed for these activities.  Another resident added that letters had been sent to local MPs and the Council about the problems created by these commercial vehicles.

A Member spoke in support of the petition in respect of Cavendish Drive and Dorset Drive, referring to the longstanding efforts of local residents to resolve the parking problems in these roads.  He underlined that the petition had proposed new timings for the parking controls which residents considered would improve the situation. 

Another Member suggested that a pedestrian crossing was required on Merlin Crescent close to Camrose Primary School.  He also referred to the junction of Camrose Road and Edgware Road asking that TfL be lobbied to address the treatment of this junction. 

A Member of the Panel referred to the representations from residents in Eastleigh Avenue and Coles Crescent about parking controls.  He relayed comments from a local ward councillor reporting the fact that many residents had contacted her about the parking pressures on the Rayners Lane Estate which had, in some instances, led to intimidatory behaviour and vandalising of  vehicles.  The Member of the Panel proposed an amendment to Recommendation 4 in the report to change the priority of the Eastleigh Avenue/Coles Crescent scheme from No.8 to No.6 so that it might be implemented in 2018-19 should funds become available during the year.  This amendment was duly seconded and, when put to the panel, it was approved.

A Member of the Panel thanked officers for the priority given to the parking scheme at the Broadway, Hatch End which would help deal with pressures and would complement the application for “Purple Flag” status for the area in relation to its night-time economy.  In this respect, he suggested that there be close liaison with licensing officers on licence applications and consents.  The Member proposed that Leeway Close should be included in the proposed parking zone.  He also suggested that consideration be given to a pedestrian crossing near the station, and that greater priority be accorded to the scheme for Milne Field and Grimsdyke Road. 

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

That

(1)          the list of parking management schemes for 2018/19 is as shown in Appendix B be approved, subject to confirmation of the capital funding allocation for 2018/19 by Cabinet,

(2)          officers be authorised to carry out scheme design and consultation on the parking management schemes listed in Appendix B,

(3)          officers be authorised to implement the parking management schemes listed in Appendix B subject to further reports being provided on the outcomes of public and statutory consultation and receiving approval of the Portfolio holder to proceed,

(4)          any substantive new requests received to undertake a controlled parking scheme or review that are not included within the agreed programme or priority list in Appendices B or C in this report be referred to the Panel for consideration, subject to changing the priority of the Eastleigh Avenue/Coles Crescent scheme from No.8 to No.6 in Appendix C.

Reason for Decision:  To recommend to the Portfolio Holder a proposed Parking Management Scheme programme for the 2018-19 financial year.