Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – that decision of the Sub-Committee meeting held on the 26 June 2012 were agreed.

·                     Councillor David Longstaff - Agenda Item 5a - Traffic intersection outside Foulds School (Byng Road): Personal and non prejudicial, as Councillor Longstaff is Governor at Foulds School.

·                     Councillor Rowan Turner - Agenda Item 7 - Hillside, Hollyfield & St John's Avenues and Queens Parade Close: Personal as Councillor Turner previously owned a property in Hollyfield Avenue in. Councillor Turner took part in the discussion but did not vote on the item.

From Vivien Kennedy

1.         I am pleased to have another opportunity to take part in the process which I trust will finally lead to the closure of Hollyfield Avenue, Hillside Avenue and St Johns Avenue to through traffic as the council survey appears to support the residents’ survey that the volume of daily traffic, 1500 cars southbound on St Johns Avenue and 2000 cars a day passing along Hillside Avenue, is too heavy for these small residential roads.

Closure to through traffic should also put a stop to the offensive verbal abuse received by many residents from speeding traffic as we try to park in our roads or as we try to turn from Hillside into either Hollyfield or St Johns on our way to Friern Barnet Road.

One of the matters raised at the last meeting was the changing of the traffic light sequencing at the cross-roads of Friern Barnet Lane, Friern Barnet Road and Colney Hatch Lane. We were told that this was the responsibility of TFL and changing the sequencing was under consideration.

Can the Chairman please give an update on any discussions Barnet Council has had with TFL on this matter and advise on progress which might assist the closure of our small residential roads to through traffic?

Response

Barnet officers would have approached the DTO section of TfL who look after and maintain the borough’s traffic signal equipment if there was reason to believe the location could benefit from further changes in the sequencing. That liaison has happened in the past, and the resultant ‘tweaks’ have yielded minimal benefit. As it is now clear to officers following the surveys, further discussions with tfL are not advisable until such a time Barnet are clear on the way forward.

From Graham Kantorowicz

2.         Now that the results of the Council’s own traffic surveys are available and which support the residents’ findings, will the Committee now accede to residents’ wishes and, in accordance with Council policy to keep traffic on the main thoroughfares, close  these roads to through traffic?

Response

Barnet’s corporate strategy is to keep traffic moving. While the figures do indicate an underlying challenge for the side roads in the vicinity occasioned by lack of spare capacity at the Woodhouse/Friern Barnet Lane junction, it does not make sense to close off the side roads without addressing the fundamental issue of junction capacity. Doing so will exacerbate congestion ad bring traffic to a standstill, and/or simply displace the problem to other less suitable roads.

From Graham Kantorowicz

3.         The Council now has the results of 3 traffic surveys and will be aware of the wishes of residents from the earlier Consultation and other correspondence. The closure of the three Avenues to through traffic can be achieved at relatively low cost, a Traffic Order, 3 bollards and 6 road signs.  What is stopping the Council closing the roads and improving the quality of life for the residents?

Response

While the request to close off the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Sub-Committee heard representations from Councillor David Longstaff regarding concerns about traffic speed and risk to children, when they are crossing The Avenue to attend Foulds Primary School (Byng Road).

The sub-Committee were informed that currently there is a ‘traffic island’ on this blind corner, which is unmonitored. The ‘traffic island’ is where The Avenue meets Marriot Road, and intersects with Alston Road.

The Avenue/Alston Road acts as a cut-through between Wood Street and St Albans Road, round the back of the Spires and avoiding Chipping Barnet High Street. The road is part of the TfL bus network and private cars regularly exceed the 30mph speed limit. There is no form of traffic calming or lights on this stretch of road. 

The Residents and Foulds School strongly support the introduction of a Pelican crossing to enhance the Foulds School Travel Plan, improve safety and calm traffic.

The sub-Committee asked if Officers could look into the feasibility of putting in a Pelican Crossing to improve safety for children and calm existing traffic. Or if officers could bring a report a report to the sub-Committee recommending what the most viable option would be.

The Highways manager advised the Sub-Committee that whilst it was noted that the request had been specific in terms of a Pelican Crossing it would be normal practice to review all possible options, including for example vehicle activated signs. Should a more cost effect option prove to be feasible this would more likely be recommended. However, the first stage of dealing with such a request would be to review the location to determine whether any measures are justified.

The Highways manager further advised that due to the current work load and time scales involved in reviewing and meeting committee reporting timescales it would not be possible to bring full report to the next meeting in January, but instead to the meeting in March.

RESOLVED – That a progress report setting out not just the feasibility of a pelican crossing, but other options that might be viable is brought back to the next meeting of the sub-Committee.

The Chairman moved that paragraph 9.14 ‘Officers are aware that the East Barnet Residents; Association did campaign against the measures and appear to have produced their own information material which was handed to local residents and businesses…’ is struck off and omitted from the report as it is not an accurate reflection of the work carried by East Barnet Residents Association on this matter.

The sub-Committee heard from Mr Daniel Hope, Chairman of the East Barnet Residents Association, speaking in objection the proposed scheme.

Councillor Lisa Rutter read a statement in which she informed that sub-Committee that she would be voting against this proposed scheme.

Members of the sub-Committee noted the level of objections that have been received and were in agreement that they could see no justification for this scheme.

The Highways Manager advised the sub-Committee that they could consider an option to amend the scheme and hence provide less crossing points than the three recommended if they so wished.

RESOLVED - That Officer’s take no further action on the Russell Lane, proposed Pedestrian and Traffic Improvement Scheme.

The sub-Committee heard from a number of residents from Hillside Ave, Hollyfield Ave, Queens Parade Close & St Johns Avenue who now find their network of roads have become a 'rat run' for traffic to by-pass the controlled junction at the intersection of the A1003 and the B550 to get to and from Colney Hatch Lane and Friern Barnet Road. It is also used by traffic by-passing the right hand turn from Woodhouse Road into Colney Hatch Lane as there is no filter for this at the junction.

The quantity and speed of the traffic on these roads is having an adverse impact on the quality of life of the residents who are denied the peaceable enjoyment of their own homes. Minor traffic accidents are a regular occurrence, properties have been damaged by cars that have left the road and residents have been subjected to verbal and physical aggression from drivers trying to speed through the roads to beat the change of the lights at the controlled junction.

Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb, seconded by Councillor Longstaff moved that a Temporary Traffic Oder is put in place as soon as possible.

The Highways Manager advised the sub-Committee that the closing of some roads although it might alleviate the traffic problem in one area it would in turn push the problem onto the junction and another local roads and as such would not be resolving the concerns, just moving them. The Highways Manager further advised that in order to introduce a Temporary Traffic Order, consultation would still need to be carried out with those likely to be affected by the Order as well as consultation with TfL due to the detrimental implications this will have on the junction and surrounding roads. Although officers’ could investigate the possibility of introducing a Temporary Traffic Order it may be problematic to implement. Another consideration which may be a constraint will be the costs involved in introducing such a measure.

RESOLVED – That subject to consultation and to the overall costs being contained within available budgets, officers be instructed to investigate the feasibility of imposing a Temporary Traffic Order.

There were none.

There were none.