Agenda item
Consultation on Harlesden Town Centre scheme proposals
- Meeting of Highways Committee, Tuesday 20 March 2012 7.00 pm (Item 11.)
- View the background to item 11.
This report informs members of the results of the recent public consultation on the Harlesden Town Centre “Major Scheme”. Transport for London’s (major scheme) funding regime provides an opportunity for Council’s to develop and implement schemes to improve the operation and appearance of town centres so as to support the vibrancy and vitality of those town centres.
Decision:
(i) Noted the results of the recent consultation into options for the Harlesden Town Centre Project and instructed officers to proceed with option B, including recommendations identified within section 6.10 of the report, subject to confirmation of funding from Transport for London and completion of the necessary statutory consultation;
(ii) Authorised the Head of Transportation to consider any objections and representations to the statutory consultation and to report back to Committee if there are significant or substantial objections or concerns raised, otherwise to implement option B;
(iii) Agreed that a progress report be prepared and reported back to Committee during the autumn prior to commencement of the works on site.
Minutes:
John Dryden, Senior Traffic Engineer introduced the report that informed members of the results of the recent public consultation on the Harlesden Town Centre “Major Scheme”. He advised the Committee that Transport for London’s (major scheme) funding regime provided an opportunity for the Council to develop and implement schemes to improve the operation and appearance of town centres so as to support the vibrancy and vitality of those town centres. He continued that officers were currently working on a scheme for Harlesden Town Centre with the aim of securing up to £4 million to deliver the proposals which would support the development of a sustainable town centre.
John Dryden outlined the consultations and the responses received as set out in the report and drew members' attention to the close partnership arrangement between the Council and a local community group (the Harlesden Town Team 2010) that led to the publication of the ‘Harlesden Town Charter – A Vision for Harlesden’. He then referred to the options available as set out in the report and recommended the adoption of option B.
Mr Ron Chambers in addressing the Committee referred to letters and drawings he had sent to members which requested the adoption of option A. He added that option A had the advantage in that it could be started straightaway. He also enquired as to what would happen if option B failed.
In relation to the shared space element within option B, the Chair invited Mr Tom Reid to speak on behalf of Brent Association of Disabled People. He highlighted the dangers faced by blind persons as a result of vehicular traffic movement, including bicycles. He also informed the committee that trees and benches also posed dangers to blind persons particularly when they were unable to discern the differences between clear roads and spaces.*
Mr Paul David, representing the National Federation of the Blind, also opposed to the concept of shared spaces as visually impaired persons were unable to tell the difference between moving traffic and other objects. He enquired as to whether visually impaired persons were consulted via talking newspapers/newsletters, a common practice around the country.*
Mr Leroy Simpson, Chairman of Harlesden Town Centre Team spoke in support of option B as set out in the report. He added that the level of consultation responses was above average and that the recommended option B reflected the views and preferences of the majority.
Anna Denneman of the Harlesden Town Centre Team stated that the initial concerns expressed in the consultation had been addressed by the Council. In endorsing option B, she added that it would provide a real opportunity to change Harlesden as a car dominated town centre.
In responding to some of the issues raised, John Dryden stated that BADP and other groups including those representing the visually impaired would continue to be consulted on the proposals. He continued that trees were useful in urban design and that street furniture would be located in clear and uncluttered areas to ensure that the problems raised concerning the visually impaired were addressed. He added that shared surface and spaces would reduce the dominance of cars in the town centre and coupled with traditional ways of crossing, would give more freedom to pedestrians. He advised the Committee that the Council had arrangements that sought to prevent any adverse impact on visually impaired persons. In response to a request from the local Methodist Church, he stated that exemptions would be made available for their weddings and funerals.
Councillor Beswick welcomed the proposals, a view shared by Councillor Jones. Councillor Powney also welcomed the proposals but requested officers to revisit the use of dog mess bins specifically and rubbish collection in the town centre in general. Councillor Long stated that officers had not consulted the Brent Association of Disabled People (BADP) on option B, which consisted of a shared space/pedestrian priority area in the High Street, Harlesden between Jubilee Clock and Tavistock Road. John Dryden referred to the key comments and engineer recommendations and added that further dialogue on the design of the scheme would continue with all interested parties, including BADP. The Chair reiterated that the design of the shared space/pedestrian priority had not been decided on as yet and that should option B be progressed, the design would be finalised with the Town Centre Team and disability groups. Councillor Long moved to formally instruct officers to carry out further consultation on the disabled parking provision and the shared space element within option B. This was voted upon and declared lost. Councillor Long asked for her dissent to be recorded.*
RESOLVED:
(i) that the results of the recent consultation into options for the Harlesden Town Centre Project be noted and officers be instructed to proceed with option B, including recommendations identified within section 6.10 of the report, subject to confirmation of funding from Transport for London and completion of the necessary statutory consultation;
(ii) that the Head of Transportation be authorised to consider any objections and representations to the statutory consultation and to report back to Committee if there are significant or substantial objections or concerns raised, otherwise to implement option B;
(iii) that a progress report be prepared and reported back to Committee during the autumn 2012 prior to commencement of the works on site.
* Minute as amended at Highways Committee on 17 July 2012
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