Issue - meetings

To consider any petitions for which notice has been received, in accordance with Standing Order 66.

Members are asked to note that the following petitions are due to be presented at the meeting:

·             Installation of Pelican Crossing between Kenton Road, Kenton Lane & Woodcock Hill

·             Traffic calming measures and traffic restrictions on Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Green, NW10

·             Academisation process Byron Court School

5.1     Traffic Calming Measures and Traffic Restrictions on Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Green, NW10

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Fiona Mulaisho (as Chair of the Kensal Rise Residents Association) in support of a petition containing over 250 signatures highlighting a number of safety concerns relating to the volume and speed of traffic along Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Green, NW10 and seeking additional traffic calming measures designed to improve pedestrian safety and reduce overall volumes of traffic.  Drawing attention to the number of personal injury accidents recorded along the road between 2020 – 2023, Fiona Mulaisho advised that whilst welcoming the measures introduced to enhance traffic flow and road signage in the area in support of the Kensal Rise Corridor Scheme the petition was calling on the Council to conduct a more detailed local traffic review and implement additional traffic calming and safety measures along Chamberlayne Road, particularly given the proximity of two local schools in the area and in support of proposalsformulated by local residents designed to provide a practical solution to the concerns identified.

Councillor Nerva (Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care and Local Ward Councillor for Queens Park) also spoke in support of the petition and action being sought by residents to address the concerns identified.  As part of the approach outlined, Councillor Nerva highlighted the need to encourage enhanced police enforcement of the existing 20mph zone in the area and also expressed support for the potential establishment of a community roadwatch scheme by local residents in the area working in partnership with the police, along with enhance signage as additional speed management initiatives.  Whilst recognising that part of the area had already been included within the wider Queens Park Neighbourhood Traffic Study, Councillor Nerva advised he would also be keen to encourage the involvement of Transport for London (TfL) in a wider review of traffic and transport issues focussed on the southern part of the borough as part of a package of wider measures designed to address the concerns highlighted, including air quality.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding as Leader of the Council on behalf of Councillor Krupa Sheth - Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action), firstly thanked Fiona Mulaisho for attending Cabinet and all those who had signed the petition for taking the time to ensure their views were represented and assured residents that the safety concerns raised had been acknowledged with the Council committed, working within available resources, to the enhancement and improvement of road safety across the borough.  Given the reference to speed management and enforcement issues he also advised the concerns relating to Chamberlayne Road would be raised with the local police Safer Neighbourhood Team for further review and consideration.  Whilst recognising the concerns highlighted and specific measures being sought by local residents, including the installation of speed cameras, Councillor Muhammed Butt felt it important to highlight the limited funding available to the Council to prioritise these measures given the significant reduction in funding TfL were  ...  view the full decision text for item 5

5.1     Traffic Calming Measures and Traffic Restrictions on Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Green, NW10

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Fiona Mulaisho (as Chair of the Kensal Rise Residents Association) to the meeting, who had been invited to speak in support of a petition containing over 250 signatures highlighting a number of safety concerns relating to the volume and speed of traffic along Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Green, NW10 and seeking additional traffic calming measures designed to improve pedestrian safety and reduce overall volumes of traffic.  In welcoming the opportunity to speak on behalf of local residents, Fiona Mulaisho, began by drawing attention to the number of personal injury accidents recorded along the road between 2020 – 2023. Whilst welcoming the measures introduced to enhance traffic flow and road signage in the area, in support of the Kensal Rise Corridor Scheme, she advised the petition was calling on the Council to conduct a more detailed local traffic review and implement additional traffic calming and safety measures along Chamberlayne Road, particularly given the proximity of local schools in the area and in support of proposalsformulated by local residents designed to provide a practical solution to the concerns identified.

Councillor Nerva (Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care and local ward councillor for Queens Park) also spoke in support of the petition and action being sought by residents to address the concerns identified.  As part of the approach outlined, Councillor Nerva highlighted the need to encourage enhanced police enforcement of the existing 20mph zone in the area and also expressed support for the potential establishment of a community road watch scheme by local residents working in partnership with the police, along with enhance signage as additional speed management initiatives.  Whilst recognising that part of the area had already been included within the wider Queens Park Neighbourhood Traffic Study, Councillor Nerva advised he would also be keen to encourage the involvement of Transport for London (TfL) in a wider review of traffic and transport issues focussed on the southern part of the borough as part of a package of measures designed to address the concerns highlighted, including air quality.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding as Leader of the Council on behalf of Councillor Krupa Sheth - Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action) firstly thanked Fiona Mulaisho for attending Cabinet and all those who had signed the petition for taking the time to ensure their views were represented and assured residents that the safety concerns raised had been acknowledged with the Council committed, working within available resources, to the enhancement and improvement of road safety across the borough.  Given the reference to speed management and enforcement issues he also advised that the concerns relating to Chamberlayne Road would be raised with the local police Safer Neighbourhood Team for further review and consideration.  Whilst recognising the concerns highlighted, and specific measures being sought by local residents including the installation of speed cameras, Councillor Muhammed Butt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5