Agenda item
Response to petition seeking introduction of specific traffic calming measures in Brooksville Avenue
- Meeting of Highways Committee, Tuesday 20 March 2012 7.00 pm (Item 8.)
- View the background to item 8.
This report informs the committee of a petition seeking the introduction of specific traffic calming measures along Brooksville Avenue due to concerns about safety.
Decision:
(i) Noted the contents of the petition and the issues raised;
(ii) Noted the course of action taken by officers in relation to the issue and that the proposals would be incorporated into the plans for the Chevening Road area 20mph scheme which would be designed in 2012/13 with a view to implementation in 2013/14.
Minutes:
The Committee received a petition from residents of the area via Vanessa Pilkington requesting the urgent introduction of specific traffic calming measures along Brooksville Avenue.
The petition stated as follows:
”I request that Brent Transportation Department install a central island at each end of Brooksville Avenue and take any other measures that will slow down traffic and reduce the risk of further accidents.”
Ms Vanessa Pilkington in addressing the Committee stated that all surrounding and neighbouring streets had some form of traffic calming measures including speed bumps except Brooksville Avenue. As Brooksville Avenue was a wider road, it facilitated speeding. She referred to the road accident fatality that occurred there a year ago. She continued that the current situation posed a danger to pedestrians and in particular, school children as Brooksville Avenue was surrounded by six (6) schools. Ms Pilkington noted that the report recommended implementation of the traffic calming measures in Brooksville Avenue in 2014 but residents considered that to be too distant to prevent the danger of further accidents occurring in the meantime. She urged the Committee to bring forward the proposal for the introduction of traffic calming measures including speed bumps and traffic islands.
Hossein Amir-Hosseni, Team Leader (Design), in his introduction stated that the Council had been aware of the aspiration of the community for traffic calming within the area, via initially the Queens Park Area Residents Association (QPARA) and subsequently the lead petitioner. Regular correspondence had taken place on the issue and officers had attended several meetings to discuss the matter over the last 3 years since the adjoining 20mph zone to the north was completed. QPARA were also involved with that scheme.
He continued that it was the Council’s policy to support the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on all residential roads where it was supported by the local community. However the high demand for it had required its rollout to be prioritised on a needs basis with the locations with the greatest issues being treated first. He clarified that the funding for this type of scheme was provided to Brent by Transport for London (Tfl) via an annual Local Implementation Plan (LIP) bidding process with a programme of schemes outlined a number of years in advance. He added that within the annual LIP funding, there was sufficient funding to implement on average only two 20mph zone type projects per year.
Hossein Amir-Hosseni therefore proposed that the design and consultation of the Chevening Road area scheme, including Brooksvillle Avenue, should go ahead as currently programmed within the 2012/13 financial year with subsequent implementation within the 2013/14. He added that as part of the scheme traffic calming measures to reduce vehicular speeds including narrowing and introduction of a traffic island would be developed for Brooksville Avenue/Salusbury Road junction, and if viable both would be consulted on as options. He also added that options for measures at the Kingswood Avenue junction would also be developed and considered for progression. Residents would be invited to a meeting prior to consultation.
In response to questions, the Head of Transportation, Tim Jackson, advised that although the TfL funding arrangements restricted opportunities to bring the scheme forward if an opportunity to do so using an alternative funding regime became available it would be seized.
In welcoming the report and its recommendations, members emphasised that should an opportunity for funding be identified in advance, the implementation date for traffic calming measures in Brooksville Avenue be brought forward.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the contents of the petition and the issues raised be noted;
(ii) that the course of action taken by officers in relation to the issue that the proposals would be incorporated into the plans for the Chevening Road area 20mph scheme which would be designed in 2012/13 with a view to implementation in 2013/14 be noted.
Supporting documents: