Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 January 2014, and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 January 2014 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to an amendment to the decision on TPC 392, wording to include Agreed to informal consultation on extent of proposal.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate, RESOLVED:

1.            To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that the bus stop accessibility improvements set out in the report and shown on drawing QM016-OF-58A be implemented:

2.         That it be noted that the estimated cost of £700 for implementation would be met by Transport for London through the 2013/14 Local Implementation Plan allocation for Bus Stop Accessibility.

Report attached

The report before the committee detailed the outcome of a consultation on the provision of pedestrian facilities along Park Lane and humped zebra crossing with kerb build out.

The report informed the Committee 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. A speed survey detailed that vehicles on average, travelled above the speed limits along Park Lane. 

The report proposed the provision of a humped zebra crossing along Junction Road as shown on drawing no. QM032/1. This proposal would provide pedestrian facility and improve road safety in the area.

A consultation letter describing the proposals was delivered to 60 local residents/occupiers in the area affected, emergency services, bus companies, local Members and cycling representatives. Six written responses from local Members, London Buses and residents were summarised in the appendix of the report.

The report explained that the proposed humped zebra crossing with kerb build out would provide a safer pedestrian crossing facility and minimise accidents along Park Lane in the vicinity of Malvern Road and Clifton Road. Raphael Independent School is situated in the vicinity of proposed zebra crossing. It was therefore recommended that the proposed safety improvements be implemented.

In accordance with the public participation arrangements the Committee was addressed by a local resident who objected to the proposed scheme but generally accepted that something needed to be done about speeding vehicles in Park Lane. The objector felt the scheme would cause problems for traffic and stated she would not have bought her flat if she had known a zebra crossing was going in. The objector also raised concerns over the congregation of people in the alleyway between No 58 and 68 Park Lane that would result from the installation of the crossing.

During general debate, Members of the Committee considered the safety of the build out.A Member was of the view that the proposed scheme was an accident waiting to happen; that it was in the wrong place and would restrict the width of the road with the result that the road would be more dangerous.

The Committee RESOLVED:

Having considered the representations and information set out in the report to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that the proposal be rejected.

By the following vote eight votes in favour with 1 against. Councillor Thompson voted against rejecting the scheme.

Report attached

The report before the Committee detailed responses to a consultation for the provision of fully accessible bus stops along Ardleigh Green Road.

The report outlined the following proposals for accessibility improvements that had been developed for various existing bus stops along Ardleigh Green Road in addition to those considered by the Committee in December 2013;

The proposals shown on drawing QM016-OF-205-2A (Option 2, outside 69 to 73) were as a result of comments received in response to the proposals shown on Drawing QM016-OF-205A (Option 1, outside 75 to 83) and at the request of the Chairman following representations from residents. These proposals were presented as alternatives.

With regard to the proposals shown on drawing QM016-OF-205A (Option 1, outside 75 to 83), approximately 10 letters were hand-delivered to those potentially affected by the scheme for comments.

With regard to the proposals shown on drawings QM016-OF-202A (opposite 225 to 229) and QM016-OF-205-2A (Option 2, outside 69 to 73), about 15 letters were hand-delivered to those potentially affected for comments. The adjustments to the School Keep Clear restrictions shown on drawing QM016-OF-202A were also publicly advertised.

The report informed the Committee that Ward councillors, HAC members and standard consultees (London Buses, Emergency services and interest groups were also consulted.

At the close of the consultation, 10 responses were received which were summarised in Appendix I of the report. The responses were all concerned with the alternatives proposed on drawings QM016-OF-205A and QM016-OF-205-2A.

The proposed changes shown on drawings QM016-OF-202A (opposite 225 to 229) did not elicit any responses and so officers recommend that the works proceed as consulted.

The alternative proposals set out on drawings QM016-OF-205A and QM016-OF-205-2A attracted objections to changes to the bus stop in its existing location (addition of a bus stop clearway and the rotating of the bus shelter) and relocating the stop to a position opposite Ayloffs Walk (footway works, shelter, bus stop flag and clearway)

Staff requested that members considered the various matters raised by residents (and set out in Appendix I) in both the existing and proposed locations and recommend a treatment accordingly.

In accordance with the public participation arrangements the Committee was addressed by a local resident who spoke against recommendation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Report attached

The Committee considered the report and without debate, RESOLVED:

1.            To recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that the part time waiting restrictions detailed out in the report and shown on drawing QK051/HCP/01 be implemented

2.         That it be noted that the estimated cost of £750 for implementation would be met by Transport for London through the 2013/14 Local Implementation Plan allocation for Improved Access to Hornchurch Country Park.

Report attached

The report before the Committee detailed responses received to the advertised proposals to covert the existing free parking bay located in Balgores Crescent into a Pay & Display bay area.

The report informed the Committee that the proposals were advertised with a 2 hour maximum stay period, although officers recommend to the Committee that they should approve an increase of the maximum stay period to 3 hours, to fall in line with the harmonisation of the borough wide Pay and Display operational hours.

Residents of 27 addresses in the immediate area of the proposed scheme were advised by letter detailing the proposals. Eighteen statutory bodies were also consulted and site notices were placed in Balgores Crescent.

At the close of the public consultation, seven responses were received all objecting to the proposals to implement a Pay and Display scheme within the existing free bay.

In officers’ view, the proposed design should be implemented as advertised to promote shorter term parking in the existing parking bays and introduce a more user friendly parking solution for local businesses and amenities.

In accordance with the public participation arrangements the Committee was addressed by a resident who objected to the proposed scheme. The speaker informed the Committee that the proposals would lead to further parking problems for residents, local businesses and visitors to the area.

During general debate, Members discussed whether the scheme would actually improve parking issues faced by residents, businesses and visitors. Members noted that there was generally a good availability of empty parking spaces in the area. A Member noted that parking restrictions in the area were working as there was a high turnover of vehicles with people parking for less than 2 hours. It was suggested that the parking provision should be reviewed again in 6 months time.

Following a motion to reject the scheme with a further review to be undertaken in 6 months time the Committee RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment that the scheme be rejected.

Report attached

The Committee considered a report that outlined the responses received to the informal consultation and subsequent advertised proposals for the creation of a new permit parking zone (R07), the introduction of waiting restrictions, a bus stop clearway, limited stay parking bays and Pay and Display parking provision in the Brooklands Ward.

The report informed the Committee that following the informal consultation, and based on the collected data, officers produced an appropriate design and conducted a formal consultation.  The proposals were designed in consultation with the Ward Members and Stakeholders and were subsequently advertised. Residents in the immediate area of the proposed scheme were notified by letter and site notices also placed throughout the area.

In addition, key stakeholders were consulted such as London Buses, Emergency services and Ward Councillors.

 By the close of consultation, 89 responses had been received a 20% response rate overall, 61% (54) were in favour of the proposal, with 34% (31) not in favour, and 5% (4) in favour of part of the scheme.

During the consultation, officers offered a further proposal shown on drawing reference Plan 2 to include free parking bays with a maximum stay of 3 hours and no return within 2 hours on both sides of the road, near to the junction of Rush Green Road.  This would provide a parking facility for visitors to the area, including those of St Augustine's Church and local businesses. By the close of consultation, 11 responses had been received, 7 were in favour of the proposal, with 4 not in favour.

         The report included officers’ comment on the proposed scheme, which informed the Committee that the introduction of permit parking in Dagenham Road, Lilliput Road, East Road, Wolseley Road, West Road, Grosvenor Road, and Birkbeck Road would increase the available kerb space for resident in these roads.   That the introduction of a Pay & Display parking area in Birkbeck Road at the junction of Dagenham Road would provide a facility for those visiting the businesses and shops. 

The scheme would also improve accessibility to bus service with the introduction of a bus stop clearway on Dagenham Road between Birkbeck Road and Grosvenor Road, heading into Romford. The introduction of waiting restrictions on Dagenham Road was aimed to improve accessibility for resident to private forecourts, traffic flow and reduce congestion during busy periods.

That the introduction of free parking bays on Birkbeck Road with a maximum stay of 3 hours and no return within 2 hours on both sides of the road, near to the junction of Rush Green Road would provide a parking facility for visitors to the area, including those of St Augustine's Church and local businesses.

In accordance with the public participation arrangements the Committee was addressed by a resident in opposition to the scheme. The speaker suggested that the consultation was misleading; that to charge for residents parking permits was illegal; and that it would be immoral for parking enforcement to be undertaken in the area.

A resident  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

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: