Agenda item

Report ES19077

A low cost version of a Liveable Neighbourhood scheme was recommended in Hayes Village to enhance the public realm and reduce traffic dominance through the village. Although traffic would not be displaced to other roads, the walking environment would be improved, helping parents, children, shoppers and local residents with improved access to local amenities.

Concerns from residents and businesses about road danger in the old Hayes area include:

·  a lack of crossing facilities along Baston Road, particularly by the mini-roundabout outside Hayes Library; and

·  speeds through the village and outside schools in the area, particularly in Baston Road and West Common Road, outside Hayes secondary School. 

High-level analysis using the London-wide City Planner tool indicates a medium to high level of severance around the old Hayes area, particularly on Hayes Street/Baston road, reinforcing the view of residents identifying this as a barrier to walking. Delivery of quality infrastructure could improve matters and investment in improved walking facilities was proposed through a ‘Local Neighbourhood Scheme’. Specific proposals for the old Hayes area comprise:

·  installation of new and upgraded traffic islands on streets alongside and on routes to schools in the area;

·  highlighting the crossings by changing the surface treatment, enhancing the public realm, and providing a visual deterrent to excessive speeds;

·  trialling a ‘School Street’ in conjunction with Hayes Primary School to prevent parent vehicular access to the cul-de-sac section of George Lane at school drop-off and pick-up times but still permitting resident and emergency access (the measure could be enforced with a removable bollard or by ANPR); and

·  a 20mph speed limit past the three schools in the area (a drawing appended to Report ES19077 - 13309-01-20mph – highlighting the extent of a proposed 20mph limit).

The proposed scheme was estimated to cost £135k, funded from the Road Danger Reduction allocation within the 2019/20 LIP3 budget agreed by TfL.

In discussion, Members were advised that Ward Members generally support the scheme but a recent Ward Member comment indicated that the 20mph zone limit is considered too large, with more discretion preferred and the scheme re-considered. Updating the scheme with revisions to the 20mph limit would effectively introduce two separate 20mph zones immediately around schools and adjoining roads in the middle of the Hayes Village area would continue to have a 30mph limit.

A Member suggested the report come back to the Committee’s next meeting. Not supporting 20mph zones, he indicated that joining the schools in the manner proposed effectively makes Hayes Village a 20mph zone. Instead, he felt that a 20mph zone should be directly outside of the schools. Moreover, he suggested a 20mph limit should only be applicable during school opening and during travel time to and from the schools at the start and end of school days - it was unnecessary for a 20mph limit to be applied continuously. He also questioned the position of a bus stop opposite a junction.

A supporting Member was pleased to see the LIP3 policy for Local Neighbourhood Schemes being implemented in Hayes and thought the scheme looked good. However, with the changes suggested he felt the scheme should come back to the Committee and felt that a single discreet scheme for the area is best, split into two speed zones. The Vice-Chairman felt that a school street closure should be trialled in the borough. Another Member also asked that Pedestrian Severance be presented differently in any future report as it is not easy to understand.

Members agreed that the scheme should be deferred and an updated report presented after re-consideration and further discussion with Ward Members.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to defer a decision on the scheme and present an updated report to the Committee.