Issue - meetings

This report informs the Committee of a petition received from the Al Sadiq & Al Zahra School, Islamia Primary School and Al Ghadeer Nursery requesting the installation of new zebra crossings.

(i)            that the contents of the petition, previous road safety improvements and funding availability be noted;

(ii)          that officers be instructed to work with the local schools, residents’ groups and ward councillors to consider and develop pedestrian accessibility improvements through assessments, and explore future funding opportunities to consult and fund identified improvements;

(iii)         that, subject to securing funding and the outcome of the consultation, the Head of Transportation be authorised to take the necessary steps to implement improvements, subject to addressing or reporting back to the Highways Committee any substantial objections received during the statutory consultation;

(iv)         that officers provide an explanation to the lead petitioner of how schools can apply through traded services for schools for a school crossing patrol.

Members considered the report providing information on road safety improvements carried out recently in the area of Chevening Road and Kingswood Avenue and potential future pedestrian improvements in the vicinity of the local schools.

The Chair invited Mrs Thamer, a member of the Parent Teachers Association at Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra schools accompanied by Mrs Kareem to present their petition.  It was explained that parents feared an accident happening in the area of Kingsbury Avenue and Chevening Road and that it was difficult for small children to cross the busy Kingswood Avenue.  Photos were circulated showing evidence of this.

It was explained that the schools were able to apply through the Council’s traded services with schools for a school crossing patrol and the schools were encouraged to do this. However, whilst acknowledging the benefits this would have, it was pointed out that it was not just during school hours that events took place in the schools.  Extended time periods for school crossing patrols would need to be investigated further as this would not be part of the terms and conditions of the traded service.  Officers were asked to provide an explanatory note to Mrs Thamer on the means by which a school crossing patrol could be engaged.

Reference was made to the Islamia school development that would see it consolidated onto one site and the committee was advised that a transport assessment would be required as part of any submitted planning application. 

Members were informed on the travel plans for each of the three schools in the area.  Councillor Nerva, speaking as a ward member, asked for assurances that officers would ensure that ward councillors were included in their consultations with the schools in the area.

The chair summarised the position by explaining that the accident data did not make a strong case for the provision of a pedestrian crossing and there was no funding for this but this did not suggest that the area was potentially dangerous for children crossing the roads. 

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the contents of the petition, previous road safety improvements and funding availability be noted;

(ii)        that officers be instructed to work with the local schools, residents’ groups and ward councillors to consider and develop pedestrian accessibility improvements through assessments, and explore future funding opportunities to consult and fund identified improvements;

(iii)       that, subject to securing funding and the outcome of the consultation, the Head of Transportation be authorised to take the necessary steps to implement improvements, subject to addressing or reporting back to the Highways Committee any substantial objections received during the statutory consultation;

(iv)       that officers provide an explanation to the lead petitioner of how schools can apply through traded services for schools for a school crossing patrol.