Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 March 2014, and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 March 2014 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report attached

The report before the Committee detailed responses received to the advertised proposals to introduce ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions in Mawney Road outside and opposite the entrance of King Georges Park.

These proposals were designed to deter motorists from parking in the vicinity of the pedestrian island which had been reported to be causing a conflict to traffic movements and congestion, especially to the local bus services.

The proposals were designed to ensure that traffic flow was maintained on one of the busiest roads in to Romford, especially during traffic sensitive times, mornings and evenings.  This design would also improve journey times for the transport services as this area will remain free from obstruction allowing larger vehicles to negotiate the traffic island.  Additionally this would offer improvements to forward visibility for pedestrians and other road users. 

A ward Councillor had reported incidents of anti-social behaviour at this location where local residents had been verbally abused by people that were parking inconsiderately.

The report stated that officers fully supported the scheme as advertised and the effects would be monitored.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Linda Trew addressed

the committee.

Councillor Trew explained that local residents had been verbally abused by people who had parked inconsiderately in front of resident driveways.

A Member of the Committee was of the view that the parking helped to slow the teraffic down on this stretch of the road as motorist were known to be speeding on Mawney Road.

The Committee was in agreement that the double yellow lines were required to ensure that traffic flow was maintained on this road.

Following the brief discussion, the Committee, RESOLVED

a.    To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that the ‘At Any time’ Waiting Restrictions which would prevent obstructive parking and improve traffic flow in the vicinity of the pedestrian refuge be implemented as  detailed in appendix A of the report and the effect of the scheme be monitored

b.    That the estimated cost of the scheme as set out in the report at £800 would be funded from the 2014/15 Minor Parking Schemes budget.

The voting was eight in favour, one against and one abstention.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate, RESOLVED:

a)    To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment the proposals to change the existing operational hours of the School Keep Clear markings in Ayr Way from 8:15 - 9:15am & 3:00 - 4:15pm Monday to Friday to 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

b)    To convert the existing 8:15 - 9:15am & 3:00 - 4:15pm Monday to Friday waiting restrictions and implement School Keep Clear markings the full extent of Annan Way, with operational times of 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

The effects of the scheme would be monitored once implemented for a period of six months.

Report attached

The Committee considered a report that detailed responses received to the advertised proposals for the Butts Green Parking Review.

At its meeting on 12 November 2013, the Committee agreed in principle that a review of the parking in the Butts Green Road area and in the vicinity of the new Tesco Store be undertaken. 

Residents and business owners of 33 addresses in the area perceived to be affected by the proposed scheme were advised by letter enclosing a plan detailing the proposals.  Eighteen statutory bodies were also consulted and site notices were placed within the area.   The proposals were also advertised in the Romford Recorder and the London Gazette.

The report detailed that the design principles was to prevent commuters from taking up available car parking spaces which would be used by the customers of local businesses.  Appendix A detailed proposed site plans to convert to pay and display parking areas.

The proposal also outlined extending the existing ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions in Walden Road and Wykeham Avenue to help improve traffic flow, prevent obstructive parking and improve road safety.

Another part of the proposal detailed implementing ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions on Butts Green Road on the opposite side to the shops to improve traffic flow for all road users.

At the close of the public consultation, a petition was received from one of the businesses, containing 17 signatures stating that the proposals would not benefit businesses, residents or customers of this area and they requested no changes to the current parking arrangements.

The report detailed the view of officers that the proposals were designed to enhance the Butts Green Road area by deterring long term parking outside of the shops and businesses and to ensure free flow of traffic in the adjoining roads. 

The introduction of pay and display parking in popular local shopping areas had proved beneficial in promoting vitality in the local area and managing out commuter parking. 

The pay and display parking facilities on Butts Green Road would be operational between 8.00 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Monday to Saturday inclusive. 

The introduction of waiting restrictions in the proposed area would lead to fewer delays for emergency vehicles, bus services and delivery/refuse vehicles operating in the area,  particularly on narrow streets, heavily trafficked roads and around busy junctions as was the case for Butts Green Road, Wykeham Avenue and Walden Road. 

The report added that parking on junctions and the apexes of bends causes traffic conflict, congestion and safety issues for all road users.  Forward visibility was greatly compromised for pedestrians when vehicles are turning into side roads from Butts Green Road.

Officer concluded that they would monitor the effects should the scheme be implemented and report any requests for further parking restrictions to the Highways Advisory Committee.  

During the general debate Members discussed whether the scheme would actually improve parking issues and road safety faced by residents, businesses and visitors in the area. The Committee was generally not in support of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

Report attached

The report before the Committee detailed responses to the advertised proposals for the change of use of a Free Parking bay in Warriner Avenue, alongside the doctor’s surgery, to a Pay & Display parking bay.

At its meeting on July 2013 the Committee agreed in principle to design and consult on proposals to convert the existing free parking bay to a Pay and Display parking area.

A Member of the Committee was of the view that a limited stay parking bay would be ideal in the area instead of the proposed pay and display. He added that a similar scheme was in place in Harold wood and working well.

The Committee considered the report and RESOLVED:         

a.    To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that the proposals shown on Appendix A detailing  the Pay and Display operational Monday to Saturday 8am – 6.30pm be Implemented as advertised and effect be monitored;

b.    That the estimated cost of the scheme estimated at £5,000 would be funded from the 2014/15 Minor Parking Schemes budget.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate, RESOLVED:

a.    To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that the No Waiting at anytime restrictions and School Keep Clear markings shown on Appendix 1 of the report be implemented as advertised;

b.    That the estimated cost of the scheme as set out in the report was £1000 and would be funded from the 2014/15 Minor Parking Schemes budget.

The voting was nine in favour and one abstention.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate, RESOLVED:

a.    To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that the proposals shown on appendix A of the report be implemented as advertised and the effect of the scheme be monitored.

b.    That the estimated cost of this scheme as set out in the report was £500 and would be funded from the 2014/15 Minor Parking Schemes budget.

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: