Agenda item

Report attached

The Committee considered a report that set out the responses to a consultation for the provision of fully accessible bus stops along Brentwood 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 could 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 were very wide.

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

The proposals for accessibility improvements for various bus stops along Brentwood Road were set out in the following table

By the close of consultation, twelve responses were received as set out in Appendix I to the report.

London Buses confirmed that with regard to the proposals shown on Drawing QN008-OF-A86A (76 to 82 Brentwood Road) they require the shelter to remain in its current position to retain advertising panels and for QN008-OF-A90/91A (Francis Bardsley Academy), they requested the trees to be cut back.

The proposals shown on Drawing QN008-OF-A87A (113 to 123 Brentwood Road) attracted three objections from residents who were concerned about carriageway width at the proposed bus stop location in terms of ability of drivers to overtake buses.

The proposals shown on Drawing QN008-OF-A90/A91A (Francis Bardsley Academy) received two objections from resident and support from Francis Bardsley Academy, although with some concerns about the eastbound bus stop.

The residents were concerned about the zebra crossing, wantint it to remain where it was to serve users of the nursing home, dance school and Osborne Road park.

The report informed the Committee that Francis Bardsley Academy supported the proposals in principle including the relocation of the zebra crossing and the westbound stop. The Academy was concerned about the eastbound stop in terms of available footway width; neighbour concerns about pupils waiting in gardens.

Three residents objected (including 2 from one address) to the proposals shown on Drawing QN008-OF-A92/A93A (283 to 289 Brentwood Road). They were concerned about the impact on on-street parking/ loading (including impact on visits from relatives).

Two residents responded the proposals shown on Drawing QN008-OF-A94/A95A (southbound stop). One resident supported the relocation of the bus stop because they considered the current location to be hazardous and that school children stand on their driveway. The resident did not understand why the bus stop was needed, given the proximity to The Drill bus stop. If the stop does not get moved, then the resident requested its complete removal.

The other resident objects to the relocation as it would severely disrupt their plans for a driveway and that an alternative location should be considered.

During a brief debate some members raised concern on the relocation of the east bound bus stop outside No.328 Brentwood Road about the loss of potential for future off street parking.

A member proposed that the pair of stops outside Francis Bardsley Academy should be refused because of safety issues associated with the junction with Osborne Road (Drawing QN008-OF-A90/91A) and this was supported generally after a discussion about kerb space and options.

Following the debate it was RESOLVED:

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

·   QN008-OF-A84&A85A

·   QN008-OF-A86A

·   QN008-OF-A87A

·   QN008-OF-A88A

·   QN008-OF-A89A

·   QN008-OF-A92&93A

·   QN008-OF-A94&95A (northbound stop)

The Committee agreed to recommend a rejection on drawing QN008-OF-A90&91A for officers to consider any alterations.

·           That in relation to the proposal shown on drawing QN008-OF-A94&95A (southbound stop), the Committee having considered the representations:

(a)        Recommends to the Cabinet Member for Environment that the                     bus stop accessibility improvements be implemented;

The vote for the proposal was carried by 5 votes favour, 1 abstention and 5 against. Councillor Nunn abstained from voting. The recommendation was carried on the Chairman’s casting vote; and

·         That it be noted that the estimated cost of £45,000 for implementation would be met by Transport for London through the 2014/15 Local Implementation Plan allocation for Bus Stop Accessibility.