Agenda item

The Committee considered a petition received by the Council which had been signed by 2,365 residents which called for the introduction of road safety measures in the N14 area of Barnet. 

The Lead Petitioner, Ms Cait O’Riordan, addressed the Committee highlighting concerns in relation to pedestrian safety in the Osidge area of Barnet along the route of Hampden Way, Chase Way, Arlington Road, Cecil Road and Burleigh Gardens N14.  Ms O’Riordan tabled a document that detailed accidents which had taken place in the area between 2000 and 2010. 

Members queried whether a 20 mph speed limit would have an impact on vehicle speeds.  The Lead Petitioner considered that a 20 mph zone would reduce vehicle speeds, adding that if a vehicle struck a pedestrian at 20 mph, there was an 80% chance of survival compared to a 20% chance of survival at 30 mph.  A Member commented that if a 20 mph zone was to be introduced, this would need to be supplemented by physical measures to assist in reducing traffic speeds. 

Members noted that an officer from the Highways Department had recently met with the Lead Petitioner in the area to review the feasibility of implementing the road safety measures proposed in the petition. 

The Committee were informed that the Headteacher at Osidge School was supportive of the Walksafe N14 campaign. 

Responding to a question, Ms O’Riordan informed the Committee that she had raised this issue with her local Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) which had resulted in a police traffic engineer undertaking a site visit.  He had described the situation as ‘chaotic’ and commissioned a survey of the area.  Ms O’Riordan added that following the site visit, police had placed monitoring equipment in the area to ascertain average vehicle speeds. 

Councillor Lisa Rutter, a Brunswick Park Ward Member, addressed the Committee.  She advised Members that she supported walking to school to encourage health and well-being and recognised the issues identified in the petition.  It was noted that Councillor Rutter had discussed this issue with the SNT Ward Panel.  Following this meeting with the Ward Member and the petitioners, the police highways team had conducted a 2-week survey of traffic speeds in the area.  She reported that average traffic speeds in the area were 24 mph meaning that the council could introduce a 20 mph zone.  However, additional calming measures would be required as the police would not have the resources to carry out routine enforcement of a 20 mph zone. 

The Committee welcomed the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Dean Cohen, Pam Wharfe, Director for Place and Neil Richardson, Highways Manager, Traffic and Development who were in attendance to respond to the issues raised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment informed the Committee that the proposals in the petition had been investigated by officers.  It was noted that there was a potential issue with one of the crossings, but that overall the proposals to introduce safety measures were supported by the council.  The Committee were advised that the Cabinet Member intended to give effect to the proposals contained within the petition and would be taking a decision using his delegated powers following a site review, scheme design and consultation process (which would include liaison with the Walk Safe N14 campaign group).

Responding to a question regarding the timing and decision making process for a scheme in the area, the Cabinet Member for Environment reported that an initial site investigation had taken place.  Detailed proposals would be developed and a consultation process would take place.  The scheme would be adjusted in the light of feedback from the consultation process and the final scheme would then be approved under delegated powers, with a scheme expected to be in place in early 2014.  Officers reported that the specific elements of the scheme would be determined following a site review.

RESOLVED that

1.         The Committee note the issues identified in the Walk Safe N14 petition and welcome the undertaking by the Cabinet Member for Environment to undertake a site investigation to develop a detailed safety scheme for the area with the final decision being taken by the Cabinet Member under delegated powers following the completion of all necessary consultation processes.  

2.         Officers from Development and Regulatory Services be instructed to provide an update report to the next meeting on the Committee on 18 November 2013, ensuring that the Brunswick Park Ward Members were kept informed of the progress of the scheme.

3.         Officers be instructed to report the outcome from this meeting to the Chipping Barnet Area Environment Sub-Committee on 22 October 2013.