Issue - decisions
Report
17/09/2009 - Progress Report on Controlled Parking Zones Programme
Committee members had before them a report from the Head of Transportation on the progress of the Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) implementation programme in Brent. The Committee agreed first to discuss the issue of Zone GA, as this was the subject of a petition as set out under agenda item 6 above.
(i) Controlled Parking Zone GA
The Committee heard from Chris Elsdale, a resident of Astley Avenue. She informed the Committee that the residents of Astley Avenue and Anson Road were against having the zone in operation between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm, as this would involve significant sacrifices for them. Chris Elsdale felt that this was a contentious issue, on which she recommended that the Committee defer its decision.
Edward Lazarus, a resident of Anson Road, and representing the petitioners, spoke in favour of having the zone in operation between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday. He had surveyed the use of pay and display parking facilities in the area, and concluded that the level of use was very low. He added that any obstruction could be dealt with by using the Road Traffic Acts. In general, his view was that residents were in favour of the operation period 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, as a longer period was not necessary.
Also speaking on behalf of the petitioners, Judy Langley informed the Committee that most of the residents she had contacted in the zone could not understand why the 10.00 am to 3.00 pm scheme, properly agreed following consultation, had not already been implemented and she called on the Committee to agree immediate implementation.
Tim Jackson (Head of Transportation) drew the meeting’s attention to the fact that the Committee had already agreed to reduce the operating time of the parking zone to 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday. There had been consultation of residents, followed by petitions both for and against the new operating times. Tim Jackson’s view was that there were two ways forward – one was to take the view that the situation was in flux, with no overall consensus, and that the issue should be deferred, and the alternative was to agree that the original consultation, which had been undertaken in a controlled manner and consistent with the Council’s standard approach, represented the overall view. He favoured the latter, and recommended that the Committee adopt this approach.
Asked why the residents wanted the hours of operation reduced, Edward Lazarus informed the Committee that extended hours of parking restrictions were a nuisance, particularly in relation to residents hosting visitors.
Answering a question about the purpose of the statutory consultation, Tim Jackson informed the meeting that this was to comply with statute by advertising the Council’s proposals in the local press and capturing the responses of the emergency services and interested residents.
Councillor Van Colle acknowledged that whatever the Committee decided would upset someone. He emphasised that there was a system in place which involved taking account of the results consultation. The response rate had been 37.5% in this case, and this was not a low rate. There had been a clear majority in favour of the current proposals, and he could not see how the Committee could disregard this. There was no alternative but to support the results of the consultation, even if this upset some residents.
Councillor Wharton added that the response rate in the original consultation had been quite high, with a clear majority in favour of 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday. The original decision should therefore stand.
RESOLVED:
that Zone GA operate from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
(ii) Northwick Park Area
Ken Sinclair addressed the Committee, reporting the results of a questionnaire sent by Northwick Park Residents’ Association to the residents of The Ridgeway and Draycott Avenue. He informed the Committee that total of 80 responses had been received, with a majority in favour of a single yellow line on both sides of the road for two hours morning and evening. Ken Sinclair believed that these measures would solve the issue of commuter parking and parking near the school, while avoiding draconian measures.
RESOLVED:
(a) that the contents of the survey by Northwick Park Residents’ Association be noted;
(b) that officers meet with residents, the Residents’ Association and ward councillors to discuss parking and traffic management issues in the area;
(c) that the outcome of the meetings be reported to a future meeting of the Highways Committee.
(iii) Proposed Dorchester Way Area CPZ
RESOLVED:
(a) not to proceed with the proposal for a CPZ with shorter hours of operation;
(b) in order to address concerns around unsafe parking, that a scheme of double yellow line waiting restrictions at junctions and close to pedestrian islands be developed and introduced, subject to statutory consultation and engagement with residents.
(iv) Proposed Zone E (Ealing Road CPZ) extension
RESOLVED:
(a) that, subject to statutory consultation, only two roads, Kathleen Avenue and Victor Grove, be included in the Ealing Road Zone E CPZ;
(b) that parking conditions in the streets which opposed the controlled parking proposals be monitored in order to gauge the parking displacement effects;
(c) that double yellow lines be introduced at all the junctions within the area consulted be introduced in order to preserve sightlines and protect pedestrian crossing points.
(v) Proposed extension of Zone SH
RESOLVED:
in the light of strong opposition from residents and business that the CPZ proposals for Windmore Close and Greenbank Avenue be withdrawn.
(vi) Zone NT review (Park View Road)
RESOLVED:
(a) that the opposition of some residents of Park View Road to remaining in the CPZ be noted;
(b) that in the light of the cost of removing parking restrictions, combined with the perceived risk of displaced parking, the road remain within the CPZ
(c) that the issue be revisited as part of future consideration of proposals to extend CPZ NT.