Agenda item
Petition for kerbs and controlled crossing Harlesden Town Centre
- Meeting of Highways Committee, Tuesday 18 December 2012 7.00 pm (Item 7.)
- View the background to item 7.
This report informs the Committee of a petition seeking to keep kerbs and provide controlled crossing points in Harlesden Town Centre
Decision:
Noted the contents of the petition and that the issues raised would be addressed as part of an on-going accessibility audit, the outcomes of which would be reported to the February 2013 Highways Committee.
Minutes:
Members received a petition requesting kerbs and controlled crossing point in the Harlesden area. The petition which was presented by Mrs Shirley Goodchild and Mr Patrick O’Shea stated as follows;
“Harlesden Town centre has shops which are used by many people and also many people with disabilities. People with a Learning Disability live in Harlesden and need to feel safe in Harlesden, We need kerbs and controlled crossing points. Do not exclude us from Harlesden Town Centre. Make sure there are kerbs and safe crossing points. We don’t want this to happen anywhere in Brent.”
Mrs Shirley Goodchild referred members to paragraph 6.1 of the report about the remit of the independent accessibility consultant and urged members not to carry out any changes until after Scrubbs Lane bridge had been strengthened. She urged the Committee to authorise the implementation of option A.
Mr Patrick O’Shea also addressed the Committee on the petition. He emphasised the need for kerbs and controlled crossing points for the safety of pedestrians particularly those with learning disabilities. Mr O’Shea also highlighted the benefits in retaining the railings in the town centre as a means of preventing illegal parking of vehicles on pavements and for the safety of pedestrians.
Naomi Barnes, Principal Project Engineer in introducing the report stated that the results of a public consultation on proposals to improve Harlesden Town Centre were presented to the Highways Committee on 20 March 2012. At that meeting, the committee resolved to proceed with Option B, including changes that were recommended in the report. She continued that detailed design currently underway included the provision of controlled crossing points throughout the town centre.
Members were advised that an accessibility consultant had been appointed to assess the entire scheme and consult with disability groups on the detailed design of the shared space/semi pedestrianized area in the High Street between Jubilee Clock and Tavistock Road with the following remit:
· To review the entire scheme and report back on any accessibility issues; and
· To organise workshops with representatives from disability groups to discuss options for the design in the semi pedestrianized area in the High Street to obtain a solution that will be suitable for all users.
The accessibility consultants initially familiarised themselves with the highway network in Harlesden and reviewed existing scheme proposals. This process generated some ideas, which were discussed with disability groups and other interested parties at a workshop held on 29 November. A further workshop had been planned to ensure that all disability groups and individuals would have an opportunity to comment.
As regards the content of the petition received from residents of the Harlesden area, the outcomes of the accessibility audit and proposals that emerge would address the concerns raised and set out an action plan for the detailed design. A full report on the audit would be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee in February 2013. Naomi Barnes added that enforcement measures to control illegal parking and the use of ‘seconds count down’ at controlled crossing points for pedestrian safety would be in place.
In the ensuing discussion, members welcomed the involvement of the independent accessibility consultants. The need for the Scrubbs Lane bridge to be strengthened by Transport for London was also emphasised. In bringing the discussion to an end the Chair noted that all issues highlighted had been followed up by officers and that the Committee would receive a report from the accessibility consultants on how any further concerns could be addressed.
RESOLVED:
that the contents of the petition be noted and that the issues raised would be addressed as part of an on-going accessibility audit, the outcomes of which would be reported to the Highways Committee meeting in March 2013.
Supporting documents: