Local Forums Notes 14 March 2016, Orchard Community Hall
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Local Forums Notes 14 March 2016, Orchard Community Hall At Local Forums the Question Time section is approximately one and a half hours and is designed to allow a discussion of the topics raised by members of the public. The questions have been ordered by theme and do not represent the order the questions were asked at the meeting. The notes present a summary of the key topics covered at the meeting. To hear the full discussions please join us at a future Local Forum. Panel Members Cllr Jas Athwal (Chair) – Leader of the Council, Labour, Mayfield Ward Cllr Paul Canal – Leader of the Conservative Party, Bridge Ward Cllr Gwyneth Deakins – Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, Roding Ward Cllr Ross Hatfull – Cabinet Member for Housing, Payments and Benefits, Labour, Valentines Ward Andy Donald, Chief Executive Question Answer Transport and Highways Transport for London (TfL) is the highway authority responsible for Charlie Browns The traffic at Charlie Browns roundabout is roundabout and any plans which involve changes to the roundabout need getting worse, with journeys from South approval from them. The Council has been lobbying for a number of years for traffic Woodford tube station taking up to 45 minutes. lights to be installed in order to manage traffic in the area and it has received 1 Has Charlie Browns roundabout been allocated confirmation that plans for this work will take place in December 2017. The panel on the highways budget for future work and welcomed the decision by TfL to carry out this necessary work but warned that does the Council have any plans to install traffic similar proposals had been made before and had been cancelled. The Council will lights at the roundabout? ensure that there is a clear commitment from TfL to carry out the work promised and to hold them accountable for their actions, making sure that the proposals to address the problems at the roundabout and work for motorists, cyclists and 1 Local Forums Notes 14 March 2016, Orchard Community Hall Question Answer pedestrians alike. The panel commented that there are similar problems with congestion and accidents at Redbridge roundabout, and that the Council will continue to engage with TfL and push for them to carry out the necessary improvements needed. The Council’s Head of Engineering confirmed that speed bumps would not be There continues to be a number of serious allowed at Charlie Brown roundabout due to the volume of traffic in the area. Other accidents and collisions at the Charlie Browns traffic calming measures which could be introduced in the area will be considered roundabout. Will the Council look into 2 by the Council as an alternative. The recent accident at the roundabout is currently installing traffic calming measures such as under police investigation and the findings will be shared with the Council in due speed bumps and traffic signs to address this course. The Council continues to work closely with the police to ensure future issue? accidents in the area are preventable. At the last Local Forum a resident was informed that they would receive a letter from Council The Council’s Head of Environmental Services confirmed he will be attending a officers acknowledging the opening of the handover meeting on Wednesday 16th March with the contractors of the toilets. The Barkingside public toilets. No letter was 3 toilets will then be opened, providing all necessary checks and requirement have received so can the Council confirm when the been met. toilets will now be open to the public? 2 Local Forums Notes 14 March 2016, Orchard Community Hall Question Answer The decision to remove the railings on Broadmead Road was not one taken by the Why were the railings removed from Council but by TfL. TfL have a policy of removing “street furniture” and the railings Broadmead Road? They are needed to protect 4 on Broadmead Road were deemed to be unnecessary. The Panel raised concerns on the large number of children in the area from the decision by TfL to remove the railings in question. the busy road and oncoming traffic. Residents are concerned about the infrequency of a number of bus routes in Redbridge, Cliff Woolnoth confirmed that he is in contact with the operators of the bus routes 5 particularly buses 20, 179 and the W13. What in question and will raise the matter of infrequent buses with them. action is the Council taking to ensure that there are more frequent buses for residents? A consultation was held last year on the proposed changes to the 462 bus route to serve Council officers are in contact with the resident who raised this question and are 6 Forest Road. The new route was due to begin in looking into the matter and will provide a response in due course. January of this year but this has been delayed. What is the current situation? A number of pavements have been broken by The cost to repair pavement breakages as a result of building renovation will be companies using heavy good vehicles whilst paid for by those responsible for it, providing council officers have witnessed the 7 carrying out renovations to Woodbridge High offence occurring. In many incidents damage to pavements have already occurred School. Do these companies have to pay for any and this makes it harder to enforce who is responsible for any repair payments. The damages caused and will the Council ensure Council has powers under the Highways Act 1980 to take action against 3 Local Forums Notes 14 March 2016, Orchard Community Hall Question Answer they charge for such breakages? perpetrators who commit this offence. The Highways Enforcement Team and the Redbridge Enforcement Team work together to identify offences and offenders and then take the relevant action where possible. Residents can report any breakages they witness to the Council here or to their local ward councillors to ensure that those causing damage are held accountable. Residents are finding it increasingly difficult to park as commuters travelling by tube and the Council officers confirmed they have received an application for a resident’s coaches from Bancroft’s school are parking in parking permit at the Ray Lodge Estate and are currently processing the request. residential areas on and around Snakes Lane Given the large number of permits and parking applications submitted to the 8 East. A resident’s parking permit for the Ray highways department awaiting assessment, the Council cannot commit at this time Lodge Estate was submitted to the Council to to a final date as to when the application in question will be approved or not. address this issue, can the Council provide an update on its progress? Following receipt of a petition from local businesses for customer parking a consultation exercise was carried out in December 2013. The results were reported to Area 2 Committee who approved the introduction of a Pay and Display parking Was a public consultation held before the scheme. Several representations, including a petition, were received during the introduction of parking meters and double 9 statutory consultation process. As a result of this some minor design amendments yellow lines on Snakes Lane East and who is the were made and the scheme was introduced experimentally in September 2015. contractor responsible for the meters? The pay and display machines are purchased from a company named Parkeon. They are maintained by London Borough of Redbridge with assistance from Apcoa Parking and Parkeon. 4 Local Forums Notes 14 March 2016, Orchard Community Hall Question Answer Redbridge is one of the lowest revenue generating boroughs and supports reinvestment into the Borough through fines collected from illegal parking. The Council currently offers 30 minutes free parking on a parking meter in any public place across the Borough and this has been welcomed by both residents and local businesses. Further information on parking charges can be found here An accident on the corner of St Barnabas Road may have been caused as a result of the parking space available to motorists on the road. Can Council’s Head of Engineering confirmed that officers would look into this matter 10 the Council consider extending the single and consider the proposal suggested. yellow line on the road and removing the parking space? This could prevent future accidents. At the last Local Forum a resident raised a concern regarding the use of warrants when Council officers are in an email dialogue with the resident in question and are 11 vehicles are clamped or removed. Can the looking into the issues raised. Council provide a further response to their use? Housing The resident who raised this question was advised to leave their details with Elaine 12 A resident of the Orchard Estate raised a Gosling, Head of Housing Management, who would look into this matter. concern that a fellow resident within her 5 Local Forums Notes 14 March 2016, Orchard Community Hall Question Answer housing block has been commandeering a communal washing line. What can the Council do to stop this continued practice? Residents have complained about the quality of service provided by Morrison Facilities Services, the company contracted to carry out maintenance and repairs on properties on the Orchard Estate. Concerns include: The panel confirmed that all the issues raised by residents of the Orchard Estate will Not responding to residents’ complaints; be looked into by the Council’s housing officers and brought to the attention of Cancelling appointments and failing to Morrisons. The standard of work carried out by Morrisons should be regularly reschedule appointments; and monitored to ensure they deliver the quality level or service expected from both 13 Failing to adequately fix priority residents and the Council as their employers.