Issue - meetings
Harlesden Town Centre Progress Report
Meeting: 12/03/2013 - Highways Committee (Item 6)
6 Harlesden town centre - major scheme project update PDF 328 KB
At the Highways Committee in March 2012, members approved the preferred option for the scheme in Harlesden Town Centre, subject to further consultation with disability groups on the detailed design. This report sets out the outcomes of further investigations undertaken during the detailed design phase, including an accessibility review and further consultation, audit and accessibility workshops with disability groups. The report also considers the provision of a pedestrian phase at the Station Road/Tubbs Road signalised junction.
Decision:
(i) that the progress on developing the Harlesden Town Centre scheme be noted;
(ii) that the amendments to the scheme set out in paragraph 7.1 of the report following the initial detailed design phase and as a result of the outcomes of an accessibility audit and workshops with disability groups be noted;
(iii) that the introduction of a pedestrian phase at the Station Road/Tubbs Road junction should not proceed with;
(iv) that regular update meetings be undertaken with ward councillors during the implementation phase of the project to keep them informed of its progress.
Minutes:
Members considered a progress report on the Harlesden Town Centre Scheme including outcomes of the accessibility audit and the provision of a pedestrian phase at the Station Road/Tubbs Road signalised junction.
Paul Chandler, Head of Transportation reported that an accessibility audit had been carried out by an independent accessibility consultant, and that two workshops had been held with local disability groups. A summary of the outcomes was attached as appendices to the report. He continued that one of the main concerns from the blind and partially sighted groups during the consultation related to the provision of a flush (flat) surface in the semi pedestrianised area, with no raised kerb provided between vehicular and pedestrian areas.
The Head of Transportation continued that in view of the positive feedback received from disability groups regarding a 50mm height kerbs in schemes around the country, the design team proposed to introduce a 50mm high kerb. This was considered to be a reasonable compromise between the aspirations of the scheme to provide the feel of a shared space area and the needs of the disability groups.
He then reported on detailed design issues relating to Tubbs Road/Station Road junction and concluded that the significant increases in traffic queues that were predicted on an already over saturated junction coupled with the fact that there had been no collisions involving pedestrians in the last 3 years meant that a pedestrian phase could not be justified at this location. He therefore recommended the retention of the existing traffic signals.
In welcoming the report, most members agreed that the proposal to introduce a 50mm high kerb was a reasonable compromise and that the recommendation to retain the existing traffic signals in Tubbs Road/Station Road junction would prevent significant increases in traffic queues. Councillor Long wondered how enforcement of loading and unloading provisions would be carried out in a pedestrianized zone. She also felt that a kerb height of 60mm would have been satisfactory for guide dogs for the blind and enquired as to when the equality impact assessment would be made available.
The Head of Transportation clarified that private motor vehicles would not be allowed in the pedestrianized area and that camera enforcement would be applied. He added that the equality impact assessment would be completed following the completion of the design process.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the progress on developing the Harlesden Town Centre scheme be noted;
(ii) that the amendments to the scheme set out in paragraph 7.1 of the report following the initial detailed design phase and as a result of the outcomes of an accessibility audit and workshops with disability groups be noted;
(iii) that the introduction of a pedestrian phase at the Station Road/Tubbs Road junction should not proceed with;
(iv) that regular update meetings be undertaken with ward councillors during the implementation phase of the project to keep them informed of its progress.
Note: Councillor Long asked that her dissent against the above decisions (i-iii) be recorded.