CITY OF WESTMINSTER

CITY OF WESTMINSTER - TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

DELEGATED AUTHORITY REPORT

SHIRLAND ROAD/ESSENDINE ROAD JUNCTION

(SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL SITE)

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO RESIDENTS' PARKING AND WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS

BACKGROUND

The School Crossing Patrol site at the Shirland Road/Essendine Road junction is one of 13 sites in Westminster. Following the fatal accident which occurred in November 2005 West One Infrastructure Services was commissioned to carry out a thorough review of the site with a view to identify what improvements if any could be made.

One of the main conclusions from the review was that the storage area on the two buildouts and in the central refuge was insufficient for the observed numbers of adults and children crossing at the same time. The review showed that visibility had been improved by the temporary alterations, which have been made to the three parking bays closest to the crossing. Consequently it was recommended that the temporary amendments that had been made to the parking and waiting and loading restrictions be made permanent.

On 7 September 2006 the Director of Transportation considered and approved a report under his delegated powers to introduce a number of improvements aimed at improving safety at the School Crossing Patrol site.

Following the publication/posting of press and street notices and consultation with frontagers and other key parties on the proposal around the School Crossing Patrol site nine responses have been received; three objections, three support, and three comments. The extent of the letter consultation included the ward councillors, the local residents' associations, 15 statutory bodies and 275 local residents and businesses.

The points raised by the respondents are summarised in the attachment along with officer comments.

Officers have carefully considered the objections and are of the view that the arguments put forward are not substantiated and therefore recommend that the traffic order should be made as proposed.

If you agree with the comments made by officers please sign the form below in order that the traffic order for this scheme can be made.

I have carefully considered the objections and comments received to this Council's proposed amendments to residents' parking and waiting and loading restrictions in order to improve safety at the School Crossing Patrol site.

The points raised therein do not give me enough reason to overturn my earlier decision of 7 September 2006 and I therefore agree that the necessary traffic order to implement that decision be made under sections 6 and 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Signed….....................................………….

Director of Transportation

Date…...........................................

APPENDIX

No.	Name of Respondent	Summary of comments and objections	Officers Comment
1	London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority	No objection on proposals.	Noted.
2.	PC David Redfearn Metropolitan Police Service Euston Traffic Garage Traffic Management Unit, 1-15 Drummond Crescent, London, NW1 1LY	PC Redfearn comments that having been present at this location when measures to improve the safety at this school were discussed it was suggested that a raised table be looked into for inclusion into any scheme that was designed. The Police would seek to be assured that this was indeed explored and the reason for its non inclusion in the scheme.	Consideration to install a raised table was indeed given consideration but it was decided not to implement it at this stage. The scheme will be reviewed after 12 months but closely monitored.
3.	TfL Bus priority Unit	No objection on proposals.	Noted.
4.	[personal data removed] Shirland Road, London	[personal data removed] fully understands why we are trying to make the street safer at the school crossing patrol, but would like us to consider the following points: The proposal to reduce the residents' parking places by 13 metres and only extend by a total of 9.8 metres, [personal data removed] as a user of the residents' parking places feels that there is already insufficient parking already without intending to take away 3.2 metres which is the equivalent of removing a valuable car space. [personal data removed] states that by looking at the plan it would appear that there are other places where extra parking could be obtained for example outside Nos. 124, 128, 147-149.	Noted. The overall reduction is 3.2 metres is less than one vehicle length. The yellow lines at the locations suggested are all single. These are required for loading purposes and to maintaining adequate signtlines. These yellow lines are available for parking outside controlled hours. See (b) above.
5.	[personal data removed] Shirland Road London	[personal data removed] would like to express his concerns regarding the proposed scheme. Although he states that he and his neighbours are aware that many of these changes are proposed in response to the tragic death of the local lollipop lady. However he and his neighbours' issue is that a key source of congestion and danger to both road users and pedestrians in this area is being overlooked in the proposal - namely the current location of the bus stops on Shirland Road east and west. Their proximity to one another, the junction with Kilburn Park Road and a multiple set of traffic lights, causes huge traffic problems in rush hour as vehicles are blocked by buses at the stops and cannot turn off in to Kilburn Park Road or get onto Shirland Road. Many drivers attempt to pass the stationary buses by overtaking on the other side of the road, often at speed and unable to see oncoming traffic. [personal data removed] suggests to move the location of one or both of the bus stops to overcome this problem for example the relocation of the bus stop on Shirland Road west pas the traffic lights would clearly alleviate many of these problems. He further states that another concern for locals is the effect of reducing the total parking bay space by 7.6 metres in an area where parking is severely limited.	Noted. This letter does not appear to be an objection but rather suggesting other problems that require solutions. The concerns about traffic congestion which have been noted. However there is no immediate proposal to make wholesale changes which might result in further loss of parking space for residents and thus would not be supported by other members of the community. The overall reduction is 3.2 metres which less than one vehicle length. Officers feel that the benefits to community of the suggested changes far outweigh the loss of a single parking space.
6	[personal data removed] Shirland Road London	Welcome the changes. Has reservation about the scope of works, which are resulting in an overall loss of 3.2 metres of parking space. Suggest that consideration be given to remove yellow lines at a number of locations along Shirland Road.	Noted See 4 (b) above.
7	[personal data removed] Shirland Road, London	[personal data removed] states that the changes have been long awaited especially for the safety of the public and the children. He states that he has seen numerous incidents at the crossing point over many years, the most horrific being the death last year of the school patrol officer. [personal data removed] states that he would like one small change to the proposal which is to increase the parking bay places outside Nos. 175 to 183. This increase by roughly 4 metres will coincide with the current yellow line restriction sign outside 183, as the current proposal leaves a reduction of 3.2 metres of parking space. [personal data removed] proposal has no reduction in parking space and the yellow line restriction sign will now correctly show the parking restriction, as there is currently confusion about the yellow line between the sign and No. 181 which is the ending of the parking bay area as the sign has an incorrect arrow on it.	Noted. This single yellow line and others in the area are required for loading purposes and when not in use buses are able to pull out of the bus stop easily. These yellow lines are available for parking outside controlled hours.
8	[personal data removed] Shirland Road London	Support the proposals.	Noted.
9	[personal data removed] Shirland Road, Maida Vale, London	[personal data removed] has commented to being confused with the map enclosed with the consultation letter and asks how the parking bay outside her flat is being increased by 5.4m. [personal data].	West One emailed a reply to [personal data removed] explaining the scheme - see attached email. No further contact was received from [personal data removed]