Issue - meetings
Petitions
Meeting: 16/10/2020 - Council (Item 5)
Petitions
For Members to consider any petitions submitted with more than 200 signatures, in accordance with the Council’s petition rules and Standing Order 66.
Additional documents:
Decision:
NOTED
1. the following petitions presented at the meeting:
· Yogi Pandya – objecting to proposals within the Brent Active Travel Plan: Preston Area (PM29).
· Alexandra Kelly – objecting to the Low Traffic Neighbourhood proposals in the Kensal, Brondesbury & Queens Park Area (LTN 19).
· Christopher Mahon (on behalf of Kilburn Village Residents Association) – objecting to the Low Traffic Neighbourhood proposals in the Kilburn Area (LTN20).
2. The response from the Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning to both the deputations and petitions, which highlighted:
· the trial nature of the proposals which had been designed to address the climate emergency and encourage more active and local modes of travel;
· the need to ensure full cooperation and collaboration in recognition of the concerns raised, along with the wide ranging nature of the discussions and engagement undertaken to date and planned moving forward;
· the fast tracked nature of the government’s conditional funding made available to support the initiative and context within which the proposals had needed to be developed. Whilst this had required consultation and engagement to be undertaken as part of the active trials, the Council was keen to encourage further local active participation and engagement as the experimental Healthy Neighbourhood schemes continued to be developed.
Minutes:
In addition to the deputations received, the Mayor advised that he had also agreed to accept three petitions at the meeting again relating to Healthy Neighbourhood proposals.
The first of these related to the Active Travel Programme within Preston ward with Yogi Patel as lead petitioner. The second related to proposed road closures in the Kensal, Brondesbury & Queens Park area, with Alexandra Kelly as lead petitioner. The third and final petition was from the Kilburn Village Residents Associated and related to proposed road closures in their area with Christopher Mahon as lead petitioner.
The Mayor advised that unless otherwise indicated by Members, he intended to allow each of the nominated speakers up to five minutes to address the meeting in order to present their petitions. As with the previous item, he would then provide Councillor Tatler, as Lead Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning with an opportunity to respond to the issues raised, for which she would also be allowed up to five minutes.
As no issues were raised in terms of the approach outlined, the Mayor welcomed Yogi Patel to the meeting and invited him to present the first petition, with the following issues highlighted:
· Speaking on behalf of local residents from Thirlmere Gardens and other local roads in the area, Yogi Patel advised that whilst those who had signed the petition were supportive of the healthy neighbourhood concept and promotion of active travel in the area they were opposed to the blocking of roads, which were felt to create unnecessary boundaries between neighbourhoods;
· Concerns were also highlighted in relation to the evidence around air quality, congestion and road safety used as the basis for designing the scheme implemented in their area and at the lack of prior consultation or engagement with local residents;
· The practical difficulties created for local residents following implementation of the scheme were also highlighted, which included lack of what was felt to be adequate or accurate signage, limited turning space for vehicles, additional congestion, inconsiderate driving and vehicles not able to use the blocked roads having to make longer journeys, which in turn led to higher emissions. This was seen as dangerous for local residents and properties;
· Concerns were also raised in relation to the timing and execution of the works, taking account of other building and utilities works in the area which had led to some temporary barriers being moved to provide access;
· As an alternative to the measures introduced, local residents had advised they would be supportive of one-way systems and increased signage to support the existing 20mph zone and to encourage traffic to use alternative routes without the need for planters or barriers. In summing up, members were asked to recognise the impact in terms of congestion and parking which further development would have in an already densely populated area and the concerns raised in relation to consultation and the evidence provided to support the design of the scheme. Those who had signed the petition were instead keen to focus ... view the full minutes text for item 5