Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 7 March 2017, and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 7 March 2017

were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendment to minute 95 that

·         The proposed waiting restrictions for Maple Avenue operational from Monday to Friday 8.00am to 9.30am, as shown on the plan in Appendix C, be abandoned.

The report before the Committee detailed responses to a consultation for the provision of a two metre width restriction in Faircross Avenue which was implemented on an experimental basis and now for consideration on whether or not the restriction should be made permanent.

At its meeting in August 2015, the Committee considered a request for implementation of a width restriction in Faircross Avenue. The request was made by Councillor Best followed by the submission of a 62 signature petition from local residents.

At its meeting in October 2016, the Committee considered a report on the outcome of a consultation on an experimental traffic scheme which provided a 2 metre width restriction in Faircross Avenue, just north of its junction with the Drive and decided to defer a decision in order to allow ward councillors, residents and staff to discuss a way forward.

The report informed that Committee that officers and ward councillors met on 9 November 2016 to discuss an appropriate way forward. The consensus was that a further consultation should take place to gauge public opinion on further proposals in the wider area as follows;

·         A 2 metre width restriction placed in Lawns Way, just northwest of its junction with The Drive;

A “point” 7.5 tonne weight limit on Gobions Avenue at its junction with Chase Cross Road. This restriction would be an “absolute” limit forbidding all HGV traffic as opposed to the current area-wide limit which permitted access. The restriction would be enforced by CCTV camera.

A letter was circulated to about 800 residents within the original consultation area inviting comments on the following two options by 10 February:

·         Option 1 – Make the experimental restriction on Faircross Avenue permanent and implement the measures described above on an experimental basis.

·         Option 2 – Return to the previous situation whereby the Faircross Avenue experimental restriction is removed.

An online survey monkey was also set up to enable people to respond electronically with details of the proposals placed on the consultation area of the Council’s website.

By the close of consultation, 181 responses had been received. 144 (80%) supported Option 1 (further work) and 37 (20%) supported Option 2 (remove the Faircross Avenue experimental scheme).

In terms of people favouring Option 1, the following were the general points made:

·         The existing experiment had reduced heavy traffic in Faircross Avenue,

·         Further measures are required to deal with traffic which had diverted to other streets,

·         The existing restriction was in the wrong location,

·         Speeding was still a problem,

·         Faircross Avenue was a nicer place without lorries passing,

·         Lawns Way needs to be made safer, especially by the park,

·         Streets without traffic calming required it.

The following comments were made by people who favoured Option 2:

·         Other forms of traffic calming would be preferable to the existing humps,

·         Existing restriction was too narrow,

·         Would prefer camera-enforced absolute weight limits,

·         Scheme should be removed entirely,

·         Restrictions not required,

·         HGVs have diverted and all streets should carry their share,

·         Existing restriction was in the wrong  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

Following clarification of the objection to the proposed scheme, the Sub-Committee was informed that an agreement had been reached with the church for people undertaking dropping and picking up from the church that as long as those who were escorting elderly visitors to the church had the hazard warning lights on, they would be given five minutes to escort the visitors in to the lift and up to the church, the objection to the proposals would be withdrawn.

A Member stated that in his view the real problem was at the far end of the road, where commuters parked indiscriminately

The Committee considered the report and without debate RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Regulatory Services and Community Safety that

·         The proposed Free Parking bays and the Waiting and Loading restrictions, as shown on the plan appended to this report in Appendix A, be implemented as advertised;

·         That the effects of any implemented proposals be monitored.

Members noted that the estimated cost of the scheme was £1,800 which would be funded from the 2017/18 budget for Minor Traffic and Parking.

The voting was 10 votes in favour to one abstention.

The report before the Committee detailed responses received to the advertised proposals to introduce a change of times of operation in part of the RO1 parking zone, along with junction protection to alleviate congestion issues.

The report informed the Committee that the statutory consultation was undertaken between 27 January and 17 February 2017, responses were appended to the report.

The Committee noted officers view that due to the proximity of Gidea Park Station and Romford Station being a 12 minute walk there was a high risk of perceived non-resident parking. The report stated that if implemented, the area would be monitored and be reviewed after six months to consider if there were any detrimental effects to traffic flow or residential parking within the area

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by a resident who was in favour of the proposed scheme.

The resident stated that he was speaking on behalf of most residents of Brentwood Drive. The Sub-Committee was informed that nothing had changed but the situation was getting worse as commuter parking was of concern.

The resident stated that the quality of life of local residents had been adversely impacted as commuters were parking indiscriminately leading to congestion and safety concern at road junctions and also damaging residents’ vehicles.

A Member commented that all day restrictions may not be required, it was suggested that implementing a limited restrictions as a means of deterring commuter parking be considered.

Another Member stated that he had been in correspondence with the resident for a period of time and was in support of the scheme.

The Committee considered the report and RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Regulatory Services and Community Safety that:

·         The proposed changes to the operational times of the parking restrictions in Lodge Avenue, Glenwood Drive and Carlton Road to Monday to Saturday 8.30am – 6.30pm be implemented as advertised;

·         The effects of implementation be monitored for a period of six months and in the event of any identifiable parking issues within adjacent roads, authority be granted for the commencement of a stage 2 detailed consultation to identify suitable measures, to deal with these issues.

Members noted that the estimated cost of the scheme was £5000, which would be funded from the Capital Parking Strategy Investment Allocation 2016/2017.

The voting was 10 votes in favour to one abstention.

The Committee considered a report showing the highway scheme requests in section B which was for noting until funding was made available.

The Committee had considered and agreed in principle the schedule that detailed the applications received by the service.

The Committee’s decision was noted against the request and appended to the minutes.