Issue - meetings

          This report informs members of a recent consultation on a proposed Corridor Scheme for Harrow Road between Clifton Avenue and Monks Park. The scheme included a proposal to close Berkhamsted Avenue to vehicular traffic at its junction with Harrow Road.  The report also advises the Committee of a petition received objecting to the element of the scheme that comprises the closure of Berkhamsted Avenue.

The report outlines the reasons for the scheme, the results of the consultation and the details of the petition. The report recommends that, aside from the closure of Berkhamsted Avenue, the scheme is progressed to the next stage and that officers undertake further engagement with the local community in order to determine an appropriate way forward on that element.

That the contents of the petition and the issues raised during the consultation be noted.

That Committee the implementation of all elements of the scheme be agreed except for the closure of Berkhamsted Avenue

That officers be instructed not to progress the closure of Berkhamsted Avenue but to engage further with the local community, on alternative options to address the accident issues at the Berkhamsted Avenue junction, and to present a report on the results of that engagement to a subsequent meeting of the Committee for a decision.

          The Committee gave consideration to this report which informed them of a recent consultation on a proposed Corridor Scheme for Harrow Road between Clifton Avenue and Monks Park. The scheme included a proposal to close Berkhamsted Avenue to vehicular traffic at its junction with Harrow Road which gave rise to a petition in excess of 50 registered electors.

          In outlining the reasons for the scheme, the Head of Transportation, Tim Jackson stated that the scheme would be funded by Transport for London (TfL) was designed to prevent injury accidents particularly at the Berkhamsted/Harrow Road junction which had recorded at least 5 turning accidents over a 3 year period.  He gave a summary of the consultation results, the key reasons given by residents and the local schools in support of their petition against the proposed closure.  The Head of Transportation continued that in order to maximise the scheme budget and achieve safety benefits, he had recommended that work on all elements of the scheme other than the closure of Berkhamsted Avenue should be progressed. This recommendation would not preclude any possible alternative solutions for the junction at Berkhamsted Avenue from being implemented at a later date.

In response to the opposition to the road closure Tim Jackson recommended a further engagement on the proposals with the local community.  He clarified in response to a query from Councillor Butt that the engagement would cover discussions on a number of different options including the closure of the junction, one-way operation and a raised entry treatment. The engagement would involve meetings with ward members, residents, representatives (including the lead petitioner) and the local school. A public exhibition or a meeting could be held as requested by the petitioners and a progress report presented to a future meeting of this Committee for a decision.

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that the contents of the petition and the issues raised during the      consultation be noted;       

(ii)        that the implementation of all elements of the scheme be agreed    except for the closure of Berkhamsted Avenue;

(iii)       that Committee officers be instructed not to progress the closure of             Berkhamsted Avenue but to engage further with the local          community,   on alternative options to address the accident issues at        the Berkhamsted Avenue junction, and to present a  report on the   results of that engagement to a subsequent meeting of the Committee       for a decision.