Agenda item

Decisions of the Chipping Barnet Residents Forum

10^th January 2022

Chairman: Councillor Thomas Smith

Vice-Chairman: Councillor Nicole Richer

Also, in attendance:

Lead Officer: Street Scene Director – Craig Miller

Governance Officer – Corinna Demetriou

Member Liaison Officer – Dane McKnight

Brunswick Park Ward member - Cllr Lisa Rutter

The Chairman introduced himself and the Officers present and welcomed everyone to the virtual meeting.

1.    Issue: Service Road off St Margaret’s Avenue between the back of Manus Way and the shops on Totteridge Lane (no’s c 28 and 56)

Anne Van Der Merwe was given 3 minutes to introduce the issue to the forum including some additional points not raised in the initial issue submitted.

Additional background information was read out to the attendees of the residents forum and it was asked for the initial litter clearance to be continued on an ongoing basis. It was also asked for the shops, specifically the new Fish and Chip shop on Totteridge Lane, to be given a key for the locked bins and for all shops to be given guidance on disposing of their rubbish due to the fly tipping problems.  

Issues with the blocking of the service road were also raised which often leave bin lorries unable to access the road to clear the rubbish and the shop owners should be reminded of this to prevent additional rubbish building up.

Officers advised that due to the complex and connected issues on this service road the best approach is to put together a multi-disciplinary working group to consider all the different issues. This working group will seek engagement from the shop owners but also the local community to improve the area which will combine both representatives from Environmental Health and Street Scene.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman RESOLVED that the issue be referred to Officers to respond to within 20 working days.

2.    Issue:  Traffic Situation in Potters Lane

      Elizabeth Clark was given 3 minutes to present her issue and raised the heavy traffic in Potters Lane and advised that on occasion residents have walked out of the flats and stepped onto the pavement where there have been near misses with passing vehicles. Many elderly residents on the road have sight  and mobility problems and the layby is usually filled with parked cars making the road wide enough for one car only. The suggestion of making Potters Lane a one-way street or having some kind of enforcement was raised.

      Officers advised that this has been considered previously. However, based on the evidence at the time it was decided that this should not be included within the prioritisation plan.

      Officers recommended conducting at a feasibility study at this location under the Council’s Road Safety and Parking Fund to see how best to resolve this issue. It was noted that recently staff had implemented new signage to dissuade heavy goods vehicles from using Potters Lane.

      Officers offered to meet residents on site to review a way forward with representatives from the parking design and traffic design teams and to include local ward members as well. 

      Following discussion of the item the Chairman RESOLVED to refer the matter to officers for a response within 20 working days, including a site visit with the Local Ward Councillors

3.    Issue: Heavy vehicles being driven along section of Osidge Lane

      Paul Lemon was given 3 minutes to present his issue and highlighted specifically the area between Hampden Square and Chaseside where numerous residents have complained about cars driving on Osidge Lane, causing significant damage to the road and houses. Mr Lemon noted the Council’s decision to resurface Osidge Lane which should address the concerns of residents. He asked when and how residents will be notified of the planned works and likely timescales for these works, expressing a preference for the work to be conducted in the first quarter of the financial year.

      Officers advised that a large section of Osidge Lane will be resurfaced but no date had yet been confirmed. It was noted that the timetable for the works will be agreed by the Environment Committee as part of a wider plan, but Officers hope the work will commence early in the year. It was also confirmed that a letter drop to affected residents will take place prior to the works commencing with an map once the works are programmed for the resurfacing. Initial independent audits of particular roads in the borough led to Osidge Lane being added to the list of those roads in need of resurfacing.

Cllr Lisa Rutter gave feedback and confirmed that she has been aware of this issue for over a year and was delighted that the Council is taking action it. She stated that she would like to see the work being carried out in the first quarter of the year. 

Cllr Rutter also stated that the speed activation signage that is currently in place on Osidge Lane does not seem to be having the intended effect. Officers suggested to Cllr Rutter that it would make sense for her to raise this issue via the Road Safety and Parking process of the Area Committee.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman DECIDED to take no further action and noted that Councillor Rutter will raise a Road Safety and Parking issue separately.