Agenda item

1.    Update and Actions Report

In the matter of the Update and Actions Report set out in Appendix 1 of the Progress Report, it was RESOLVED that Committee noted the report.

2.    Sunnyfield School, Greyhound Hill

In the matter of Sunnyfield School, Greyhound Hill it was RESOLVED that Committee:

(i)    Noted the update report.

(ii)  Agreed expenditure of £5,000 from the Area Committee (CIL) Budget to carry out a feasibility study to investigate if a pedestrian facility can be installed on Greyhound Hill.

3.    Lubavitch of Edgware Kindergarten

In the matter of the Lubavitch of Edgware Kindergarten, 230 Hale Lane, it was RESOLVED that Committee:

(i)    Noted the update report.

(ii)  Agreed to the installation of a school Keep Clear Marking outside the Lubavitch of Edgware Kindergarten 230 Hale Lane and School warning signs.

(iii) Agree expenditure of £3,000 from the Area Committee (CIL) Budget to install the School Keep Markings and School Warning Signs

4.    Colindeep Lane NW9

In the matter of Colindeep Lane, regarding the Installation of speed Cameras, it was RESOLVED that Committee

(i)    Noted the cost and the annual maintenance fee and that it is not currently proposed to progress with this request as there is insufficient funding. 

5.    Shirehall Lane, NW4

In the matter of Shirehall Lane - Double Yellow lines, it was RESOLVED that Committee.

(i)    Noted the update report.

(ii)  To implement the proposed double yellow lines as per the original proposal.

6.    Brookside Walk - Lighting of Playground Path.

The Chairman invited comments from Mr Strom, a local resident who had submitted a petition that went to Committee in July 2016 requesting for better street lighting along a well-used footpath from Brookside Walk Playground in Hendon to various schools and synagogues. In response to the petition, Committee asked for a ‘light touch report’ to be prepared by officers to help inform their decision-making. Councillor Braun stated that she agreed with the comments made by Mr Strom who emphasised that the path is very well used, particularly by school children, but poorly lit and maintained.  The alternative pedestrian routes taking numbers of children and adults from Hendon to NW11 extend journey times by 15-20 minutes and involve walking along the North Circular Road where they are forced to cross heavily trafficked junctions where no parents allow their children to walk along, or use the unpopular footbridges.

The Chairman also allowed letters of support from The Bridge Lane of Beth Hamedrash – Martin Younger, Senior Warden, and Bursar of Beth Jacob Grammar School for Girls Ltd, Mrs Yudit Chalk, to be circulated to Members at the meeting.   

Members also discussed the update report and Councillor O-Macauley stated that he supports efforts made by the community to walk and that this should be encouraged and people have the right to walk in safety. Councillor Langleben reiterated his support for this position and informed the Committee that works will be undertaken to the Brent Street / Golders Green Junction that will enable people who do not use the bridge to cross the road.  He also suggested identifying what funding is available from the Mayor to make walking routes safer along this route.

Following discussion on the item, the Committee unanimously agreed to refer the item to Environment Committee for the following reasons:-

·         Brookside Walk is a well-used route which was evidence on the site visit

·         Use of the route encourages walking a – healthy, low cost and sustainable transport mode

·         Wheelchair users and children currently use the route

·         People have the right to walk in safety and without fear

·         Alternatives routes are 15-20 minutes longer

·         Alternatives routes are dangerous and involve walking along the A406 or crossing at Henley’s corner for example.

·         Estimated costs of lighting the footpath exceed approval threshold of the committee.

In the matter of Brookside Walk , it was RESOLVED that Committee:

(i)    Noted the update report and the detail of the site visit as outlined in this report in relation to Brookside Walk footpath.

(ii)  Having noted the above in (i), give instruction to the Commissioning Director for Environment to escalate the proposal within the report to the Environment Committee to consider options for funding the scheme from an agreed budget prior to progress of the scheme to detailed design, public, consultation and implementation.

7.    Riverdene, Edgware

Councillor Davey queried why his Member’s Item brought to Committee in January 2016 had not been looked into and reminded Committee that he had requested that bollards are looked into as a means of preventing vehicles from churning up grass verges.  Councillor Davey said he had not been contacted by an officer to discuss options or discuss trees as an alternative and wanted to know how the decision to reject bollards with no prior discussion with him, had been taken.  Furthermore Councillor Davey said he had not asked for trees, and whilst he can see the benefits, he thought the cost was excessive.

Officers clarified that the £600.00 per tree included the cost of maintenance because of the labour needed to keep the trees alive after planting. Additional trees can be provided as there are gaps where there are not enough trees.  Officers commented that Bollards are not traditionally used in this manner.  Councillor Davey said that the precedence had already been set in Riverdene. Officers agreed to set up a meeting with both Councillor Davey and Councillor Rayner to consider the issues.

In the matter of Riverdene, Edgware it was RESOLVED that Committee:

i.              Noted the report

ii.            Instructed officers to meet with Councillor Davey and Councillor Rayner regarding exploring options for taking the matter forward as per the original Members item.Any agreed options will be reported to a future Area Committee.

iii.           Agreed in principal to the installation of two cherry trees in Riverdene outside nos. 51 and 109 Riverdene, subject to a review and reconsideration of the cost and approval of a budget.

iv.           Instructs officers on confirmation of a budget, to investigate to determine if there are any suitable locations for additional trees to be located in Riverdene. Any findings will be reported to a future Area Committee.