Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 October 2013, and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 15 October 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report attached.

The report before the committee detailed the outcome of a consultation relating to provision of loading facilities for businesses, improving accessibility at existing bus stops and parking for shoppers in Elm Park Avenue, between The Broadway and Diban Avenue.

The report outlined the following proposed traffic improvement:

1.         The existing waiting and loading restrictions in Elm Park Avenue operate between 08:30am to 06:30pm, Monday to Saturdays whereas loading was also permitted during these restricted times, for a maximum period of 20 minutes. Lack of dedicated loading bays for freight had a detrimental impact on the traffic flow, particularly during peak periods and often occurred at bus stops.

2.         The existing bus stops in Elm Park Avenue (between The Broadway and Diban Avenue) were outside nos. 25 Elm Parade and 196. The stops do not have clearway restrictions to prevent waiting and loading ‘At Any’ time, applicable throughout the week. As a result, measures were considered necessary at this stage to improve accessibility which involved altering the kerb heights to enable buses to park close to the kerb side so that loading ramps could be deployed which were especially needed for people using wheelchairs.

3.         Loading bay in Elm Park Avenue, outside Tesco Express

Currently, there are no dedicated loading bays for businesses in Elm Park Avenue and lack of on-street loading facilities had been raised locally by shopkeepers. Businesses in Elm Park Avenue receive deliveries throughout the day. The delivery vehicles park in the road or close to a bus stop which prevented buses from pulling close to the kerb line. As a result, it was important to provide a loading bay outside nos. 18 and 19 Elm Parade to ensure that deliveries were carried out safely and without disrupting the traffic flow.  It was empathised that the loading bay was not specifically proposed for Tesco Express but also to provide benefits to all the shops and businesses in Elm Park Avenue. The proposals were shown on drawing no. QL025-0B-230.

The loading bay would allow free loading for maximum 20 minutes with no return within 2 hours. The loading bay would operate from 08:30am to 06:30pm, Monday to Saturdays inclusive which would be in line with other loading bays in The Broadway.

4.      To improve traffic flow in Elm Park Avenue

To widen the carriageway by one metre at specific locations i.e. existing bus stop (north side) and new loading bay in Elm Park Avenue. Carriageway widening would not impede the pedestrian movements as there was sufficient area for pedestrians on the footway. The proposals were shown on drawing no. QL025-0B-230 appended to the report.

5.      To improve accessibility for passengers at existing bus stops

          At present, buses experience difficulties to gain access into the existing bus stops in Elm Park Avenue to pick up or alight passengers due to inconsiderate parking at existing bus stops or parking in the path where buses start to pull in towards the bus stop. This forces buses to stop in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

Report attached.

The Committee considered a report that detailed the outcome of a consultation following a feasibility study that identified pedestrian facilities along Park Lane and humped zebra crossing with kerb build out.

A feasibility study had been carried out to identify pedestrian facilities. It detailed that a humped zebra crossing with kerb build out would improve road safety and provide pedestrian facilities.

The report informed Members that the traffic surveys showed that two-way traffic flow was up to 550 vehicles per hour during peak periods along Park Lane. That in the four-year period to June 2013, four personal injury accidents (PIAs) were recorded along Park Lane in the vicinity of Malvern Road and Clifton Road. Two involved school children and all were slight injuries.

At the consultation, the proposals informed approximately 60 local residents / occupiers in the area affected by the proposals. Six written responses from Local Members, London Buses and residents were received and the comments were summarised in the appendix of the report.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Andrew Curtin addressed the committee and sought clarification on the proposed scheme:

Councillor Curtin stated that residents had concerned with the proposal and sought clarification why the existing refuge by Brentwood Road was not considered. He also stated that residents were concerned that they were not able to stop on the zig-zags to park on driveways.

Officers responded that the current location was a choice between the location near the junction with Malvern Road and an alternative at Clifton Road and that refuge by Brentwood Road would not fit because of various driveways.

A Member stated that he agreed with the crossing, but disagreed with the build-out. He suggested that the scheme be installed as designed but without the build-out. Officers explained that to do this would mean that the crossing would not be safe because parked vehicles would block the view of pedestrians crossing which is why the build-out was proposed. Officers explained that the alternative would be to significantly increase the no parking zig-zag lines, for which public consultation would be required.

Councillor Kelly proposed the scheme be installed without the build out, this was seconded by Councillor Oddy.

The motion went to the vote and was lost, 6 to 4. Councillors Durant, Kelly, Oddy and Wallace voted in favour of the motion.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1.        To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that

(a)  Humped zebra crossing with kerb build out along Park Lane by Malvern Road detailed on Drawing No. QM032/1 be implemented

2.      That, it be noted that the estimated costs of £25,000, would be met from the Transport for London’s (TfL) 2013/14 financial year allocation to Havering for School Travel Plan Programme.

The vote for the proposal was 6 in favour, 3 against and 1 abstention. Councillors Breading, Kelly and Oddy voted against the scheme and Councillor Durant abstained from the vote.

The Committee is requested to consider the report relating to work in progress and applications - Report attached

The report presented Members with all new highway schemes requests in order for a decision to be made on whether the scheme should progress or not before resources were expended on detailed design and consultation.

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

The Committee’s decisions were noted as follows against each request:

The Committee is requested to consider the report relating to minor traffic and parking schemes - Report attached

The report before the Committee detailed all Minor Traffic and Parking Scheme application requests in order for a decision to be made on whether the scheme should progress or not before resources were expended on detailed design and consultation.

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

The Committee’s decisions were noted as follows against each scheme: