Agenda item

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 place.

 

       The report informed the Committee that the original experimental restriction proved unpopular with a significant majority of residents responding to the original experimental consultation. Part of the concern raised related to traffic reassignment most especially with vans and lorry traffic. There were also complaints that drivers were choosing to speed and that noise and pollution had increased on adjacent streets.

 

          The Committee noted that the responses from the informal consultation on the possible introduction of additional experimental measures in Lawns Way (a 2 m width restriction) and Gobions Avenue (a “point” 7.5 tonne weight limit) had a significant amount of support from respondents.

 

          The Committee was minded to note that the original experimental width restriction in Faircross Avenue required a decision to be taken as to whether or not it is made permanent.

 

          The Committee also noted that the further experimental measures would be subject to a 6-month “objection” period following implementation and that a decision on making those measures permanent would need to be taken within 18-months of implementation.

 

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by two residents who spoke against and in favour of the proposed scheme.

 

The resident who spoke against the proposals stated that he had lived in the area for 40 years. The resident stated that the existing experimental width restriction in Faircross Avenue was in the wrong place and never agreed. The Committee was informed that as a result his garden wall had been knocked down. The resident was of the opinion that the current scheme was not effective because lorry drivers had been ignoring the signs and undertaking a three point turn in to his driveway. He considered that the restriction should be moved to another location, preferably a restriction at each end of the street.

 

The resident who spoke in favour of option 1 stated that residents of Lawns Way had provided an overwhelming response in favour of measures for Lawns Way. It was felt that the current situation had created safety issues in Lawns Way, especially by the park and that the street was suffering from speeding vehicles.

 

With its agreement Councillors Ray Best and Ron Ower addressed the Committee.

 

Councillor Best commented that he had been involved with the issue since July 2014. He was of the view that the options given in the recommendations were not acceptable. Councillor Best stated that the existing scheme was in the wrong place and that there should have been a restriction at each end of Faircross Avenue. The Committee was informed that there was a lack of signage and the restriction would have been better at the Havering Road end of Faircross Avenue. It was also mentioned that the signage at each end of Faircross Avenue was inadequate. Councillor Best concluded that he did not see why a decision had to be made now as if the location was fixed, in his opinion it had become a fait-accompli.

 

Councillor Ron Ower spoke in support of comments by Councillor Best.  He reiterated the plight of the resident who objected to the proposed scheme but felt further work was required in Faircross Avenue and in support of a scheme on Lawns Way and Gobions Avenue.

 

In response to the comments made, officers responded that by changing the location of the restriction would require the process to start again. The Committee was also informed that the signage provided was in accordance with the budget and that a permanent signage scheme would take in to consideration the existing weight limit.

 

During a brief debate a Member suggested that the scheme proceed with option 1 but the existing restriction on Faircross Avenue be part of the fresh experiment. It was also felt that current location of the width restrictions be relocated.

 

A Member spoke in favour of option 1 as the proposal had a majority approval of residents of Lawns Way and Gobions Avenue and was also in support of carrying on with the Faircross Avenue restriction for a further 6-month.

 

A Member stated that he was of the opinion that he understood the idea of ward councillors commenting, it was still the job of the committee to look at schemes from a strategic point of view.

 

 

In conclusion, officers suggested that the locations be retained according to the consultation as that was what residents were expecting and on the Faircross Avenue, officers would consider moving the restriction by some metres to a new position.

 

The Committee resolved to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Regulatory Services and Community Safety that the scheme proceed with option 1, but with Faircross Avenue included in a new experiment for the area, with the current restriction in Faircross Avenue moved south by 2 metres.

 

(a)  Provide a 2 metre width restriction in Lawns Way, just northwest of the junction with The Drive as shown on Drawings QL040/58/02 and QL040/58/04.

 

(b)  Provide a “point” 7.5 tonne weight limit on Gobions Avenue at its junction with Chase cross Road as shown on Drawing QL040/58/02 and QL040/58/05.

 

Members noted that in the event that the further experimental measures are recommended, then the scheme would be subject to the formal experimental traffic order process and a further report will be presented to the Committee no earlier than 6-months from it coming into force and that a decision whether or not to make them permanent will be required to be taken within 18-months of it coming into force.

 

Members noted that the estimated cost was £25,000 which would be met by the Council’s capital allocation for Minor Highway Improvements

 

The vote for the proposal was carried by 9 votes to 2 abstentions.