Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 July 2014, and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 July 2014 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate RESOLVED:

1.            To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment that the bus stop accessibility improvements set out in the report and shown on the following drawings be implemented;

·         QN008-OF-A17-A

·         QN008-OF-A18-A

·         QN008-OF-A19/A20-A

·         QN008-OF-A21/A22-A

·         QN008-OF-A23/A24-A

2.         That it be noted that the estimated cost of £2,900 for implementation would be met by Transport for London through the 2014/15 Local Implementation Plan allocation for Bus Stop Accessibility.

Report attached

The report before the Committee detailed responses to a consultation for the provision of fully accessible bus stops along Slewins Lane.

The report informed the Committee that improvements to the bus stop environment such as raised kerbs, relayed footway surfaces, providing short footway links to stops and (in exceptional circumstances) providing pedestrian crossing facilities would help with making bus stops fully accessible to all people.

The introduction of bus stop clearways improves the accessibility of bus stops by providing sufficient space for buses to pull in close to the kerb. It is important with the provision of buses in London that are fully wheelchair accessible, because the benefits of low-floor/ kneeling buses are considerably reduced (if not removed) if the bus cannot position next to the kerb.

In accordance with the public participation arrangements the Committee was addressed by a local resident who detailed his view against Recommendation 2(a) as detailed in the report (“Option 1”). The resident spoke in favour of Recommendation 2(b) as detailed in the report (“Option 2”). He stated that Option 2 was more favourable than Option 1 for the following reasons: that it was safer for traffic flow; presented a preferable pedestrian crossing point; reduced overlooking of neighbouring properties.

Following a brief debate during which members received clarification on objections to the scheme, the Committee RESOLVED:

1. To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment that the bus stop accessibility improvements set out in the report and shown on the following drawings be implemented:

·         QN008-OF-A64-A

·         QN008-OF-A66-A

·         QN008-OF-A67&68-A

2. That the Committee having considered the representations made recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment that the             following bus stop accessibility options as set out in the report and shown on the following drawings be implemented:

(a)          QN008-OF-A65/02-A (Option 2 – alternative location)

3.    That it be noted that the estimated cost of £20,000 for implementation would be met by Transport for London through the 2014/15 Local Implementation Plan allocations for Bus Stop Accessibility.

Report attached

The report before the Committee detailed responses to a consultation for the provision of fully accessible bus stops along Chase Cross Road

The report detailed that improvements to the bus stop environment such as raising kerbs, relaying footway surfaces, providing short footway links to stops and (in exceptional circumstances) providing pedestrian crossing facilities would  help with making bus stops fully accessible to all people. In some situations, it may be appropriate to build the footway out into the road to provide an accessible bus stop, although this would only be appropriate where carriageways are very wide.

The introduction of bus stop clearways also improved the accessibility of bus stops by providing sufficient space for buses to pull in close to the kerb.

The proposals for accessibility improvements along Chase Cross Road had been developed for various bus stops as set out in the report.

By the close of consultation on 9 July 2014, seven responses were received as set out in Appendix I of the report. One response included a petition of approximately 200 signatures in opposition to one of the proposals.

London Buses and the Metropolitan Police Traffic Unit raised no issues in relation to the proposals.

A resident raised concern about having to turning round the bus shelter on the stop to the flank of 1 Irons Way (Drawing QN008-OF-A01/02-A, towards Collier Row) because of the narrow footway.

Five respondents and the petition objected to the proposal to relocate the bus stop from outside 101/103 to outside the Baptist Church (Drawing QN008-OF-A01/02-A, towards Havering-atte-Bower and the Hill Rise Estate.

In Officer’s view, the stop to the flank of 1 Irons Way, the footway was at least 2.3metres in width which was considered sufficient. The reoriented shelter would make it easier for people to walk past the bus stop where they were currently hemmed in by the shelter and a high fence. Members were informed that the decisions on works to shelters remain that of London Buses.

The current bus stop outside 101/103 cannot be made accessible, even for the front loading doors of a bus because of the adjacent vehicle crossings serving the residents on either side of the stop.

The location outside the Baptist Church was selected because it provided the longest section of footway within which a high kerb could be provided and also made the spacing between the preceding and next stops about equal.

Staff are content that the location was safe and as in any other case, drivers had a responsibility to react appropriately to road conditions and it might mean very short term congestion while a bus loads/unloads.

The Committee was asked to consider the various issues raised and balance them against the Council’s general duty to make the highway network accessible. In terms of impacts, officers would suggest that the effect on the car spares business should carry most weight. There may be an alternative to the Baptist Church, but the Committee would note that objections are likely to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report attached

The Committee considered a report that detailed responses to a consultation for the provision of fully accessible bus stops along Squirrels Heath Lane.

The report informed the Committee that improvements to the bus stop environment such as raising kerbs, relaying footway surfaces, providing short footway links to stops and (in exceptional circumstances) providing pedestrian crossing facilities would help with making bus stops fully accessible to all people.

The introduction of bus stop clearways improves the accessibility of bus stops by providing sufficient space for buses to pull in close to the kerb. It is important with the provision of buses in London that are fully wheelchair accessible, because the benefits of low-floor/ kneeling buses are considerably reduced (if not removed) if the bus cannot positioned next to the kerb.

The proposals for accessibility improvements had been developed for various bus stops along Squirrels Heath Lane as set out in the table.

The report detailed that at the close of consultation on 9 July 2014, seven responses were received as set out in Appendix I to the report.

London Buses and the Metropolitan Police Traffic Unit did not raise any concerns with the proposals. Four residents raised the following concerns in connection with the existing bus stop outside Nos.82 to 88.

·                     Concerns about safety of bus stop position being on a bend,

·                     Difficulties residents have pulling off driveways because of visibility, especially where passengers are standing at the stop,

·                     Concerns that the footway is too narrow for passengers and passing pedestrians,

·                     Parking opposite residents mean that full road width is not available for drivers to overtake buses and residents to safety pull off their driveways,

·                     The bus stop should be removed completely or relocated (sites to the east and west of the current position being suggested).

·                     Concerns about the impact on vehicle access to residents’ properties.

A resident supported the proposals for the existing stop outside Nos.82 to 88, but cited more general concerns with the increase in commuter parking in the local vicinity of the stop proposed for accessibility improvement and the stop opposite which was improved in the previous year.

In officers’ view, the existing bus stop outside Nos.82 to 88 had been in place for many years and although residents had raised concerns about its position in response to the consultation, Staff were content that the layout was reasonable.

The report stated that if the Committee was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment that:

1.    The proposals to change the existing Disc Parking restrictions in the lay-by area outside the shops in Moray Way to a Free parking bay operational 8.30am – 6.30pm Mon – Sat inclusive, with a maximum stay period of 2 hours with no return to the bay within 1 hour be implemented as advertised.

2.    The effect of the scheme be monitored

3.    Members noted that the estimated cost of the scheme was £1,000 and would be funded from the 2014/15 Minor Parking Schemes budget.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate, RESOLVEDto recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment :

1.    That the proposals to introduce three new School Keep Clear marking, as outlined on the appended plan where stopping would be prohibited from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday inclusive be implemented.

2.    The effect of the scheme be monitored.

3.     Members note that the estimated cost of this scheme as set out in the report was £1500 and would be funded from the 2014/15 Minor Parking Schemes budget.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate RESOLVED to   recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment that:

1.    The proposals to extend the existing School Keep Clear marking in Amersham Road outside Mead School, as shown on the plan appended to the report be implemented.

2.    The effect of the scheme be monitored.

3.     Members note 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.

As mentioned previously in the minutes Councillor de Wulverton declared a personal interest in TPC373 Amersham Road – Extension to existing school keep clear. Councillor De Wulverton stated that he lived in close proximity to the area but confirmed that his personal interest was not prejudicial to his ability to determine the application.

Report attached

The report before the committee detailed responses received to the advertised proposals to introduce a School Keep Clear marking in Benjamin Close, which had been agreed in principal by the Committee at its meeting in December 2013.

Further to the February 2014 meeting of the Committee that agreed in principal to design and consult on the proposals for a School Keep Clear marking in Benjamin Close, to prohibit stopping from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday inclusive. Residents of the area and Hyland School who were perceived to be affected by the proposals were consulted by letter and plan. Eighteen statutory bodies were also consulted and site notices were placed at the location.

By the close of consultation, eight responses were received to the proposals. One response was against the proposals, while the remaining seven responses were in favour or did not register any objection, although some comments were made. The comments received were outlined in Appendix A of the report.

The introduction of the new School Keep Clear restrictions was considered important to the operation of the school site and for the safety of pedestrians and visitors particularly children.

The prohibition of stopping between 8 am and 5 pm on Monday to Friday inclusive was designed to cover the main period that schools are open and was the standard being used for the introduction and upgrading of any school keep clear marking in the borough.  The wording of term time within any restriction was now considered to be ambiguous to use, as term times change from school to school and year to year

In accordance with the public participation arrangements the Committee was addressed by a local resident and Governor of Hylands School who objected to the proposed scheme as not going far enough to resolve the problem in the area. The speaker accepted that something needed to be done but questioned the adequacy of the scheme, he suggested that the zig zag markings needed to be extended beyond that was proposed to include all of Benjamin Close, that effective enforcement needed to be implemented to ensure compliance with the parking restrictions, that the proposal would have an adverse effect on residents of Benjamin Close.

During general debate, Members considered the safety implications should parents be required to drop their children further away from the school entrance to walk unsupervised to the school premises. Members considered the consequences of traffic displacement should the restrictions be extended throughout the close.  Members were of the view that effective enforcement was required to ensure the effectiveness of the parking restrictions. 

The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment :

a.         That the proposals to introduce a new School Keep Clear marking, as outlined on the appended plan, where stopping would be prohibited from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday inclusive, be implemented.

b.         The effect of the scheme be monitored.

c.      Members note that the estimated cost of this scheme as set out in this report was £1000  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate RESOLVED

to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment :

1.    That the proposals to restrict the existing Free parking bays in Gidea Avenue and Gidea Close to time limited free parking bays operational between 8.00 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays inclusive, where vehicles may wait free of charge for a maximum period of 4 hours and where return to that same parking bay would be prohibited for 1 hour, be implemented as advertised and shown on the plan.

2.    The effect of the scheme be monitored.

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

Resident attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate RESOLVED

to recommend to the Cabinet Member for the Environment:

1.   That the proposals to change the use of the existing voucher parking bays in Allandale Road to a residents’ only parking bays for the sector RO3 area, be implemented as advertised.

2.    The effect of the scheme be monitored.

3. 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.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate RESOLVED:

To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment that the following proposals set out on Appendix A of the report be implemented:

·      That the proposals to change the use of the existing voucher parking bays in Malvern Road to a residents’ only parking bays for the sector RO3 area be implemented.

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.

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

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 request: