Agenda item
Backbench members' debate
Full Council will be asked to suspend Standing Order 37 in so far as to permit this additional item to be taken.
Minutes:
Pavements and potholes
Upon the Mayor submitting it to a vote it was agreed to suspend Standing Orders in so far as to allow a non cabinet members’ debate to take place at the meeting.
RESOLVED:
That standing order 37 be suspended in so far as to allow a non Cabinet members’ debate to take place at the meeting.
The Mayor reported that two items had been submitted for debate but one on the Housing and Planning Bill was the subject of a motion later on the agenda so the item on pavements and potholes had been selected. She explained that 20 minutes would be allowed for this item.
Members complained that they reported dangerous pavements and potholes but nothing was done and pointed to examples at Northwick Gardens and Stanley Avenue. A further example was highlighted at Walm Lane/Brondesbury Park with both sides of the road and pavement in a poor and dangerous condition and the areas outside the shops in poor condition. It was submitted that the Council needed to work with shopkeepers and businesses to introduce improvements to the areas outside shops. The request was made for a review of the approach to agreeing a programme of repairs to ensure member involvement and clarity over the communication between contractor and ward member.
A point was raised regarding the narrowness of some pavements meaning pedestrians were sprayed with water by passing cars and caused difficulties for people in wheelchairs and using prams. It was also pointed out that there were poor facilities in some places for pedestrians to cross roads. A request was made for the introduction of additional 20mph zones and for potholes in bus lanes to be given priority.
Reference was made to the government’s pothole fund which it was felt was beneficial but inadequate and the bidding process involved wasted time the view was expressed that Councils should be given an allocation so they could get on with making repairs. However an alternative view was that the government had been generous in allocating additional funding.
Members felt there was a need for a long term programme of repairs/resurfacing. It was felt that the Council needed to work with government and public agencies to move the issue forward. The request was made for action to be taken against vehicles parking on footways and damaging them. It was submitted that the issue was at the heart of a local councillor’s work and it needed to be made a priority. Further examples of where attention was needed were given as Barratts Green Road, Stonebridge and Coles Green Road, Dollis Hill, Wyld Way and Tokyngton Avenue.
Councillor Southwood responded to the debate. She acknowledged how serious the issue was and that many areas needed improvement. She put the funding position into perspective by reference to how the Council had been able to upgrade 7km of footway during the last year out of a total of 847km in the borough. She stated that the Council faced extremely challenging times and agreed that councils should be given additional funds to deal with the problem. She drew attention to the Council’s recently approved cycling strategy and that a walking strategy was to follow. Councillor Southwood agreed how much road and pavement works could improve an area pointing to examples in Kingsbury and Kilburn. She stated that she was committed to making town centres more pedestrian friendly and agreed that a long term strategy and a move away from patching was needed.