Scrutiny Committee does not support Chiswick councillors opposing CPZ
Local councillors have failed in their latest challenge against the controversial decision to proceed with a CPZ in Grove Park and part of Staveley Road.
Hounslow Council's Labour-dominated Overview & Scrutiny Committee decided last week (Jan 16) not to take action against the proposal which is spearheaded by Cllr. Ed Mayne (Lab) the lead member with responsibility for parking.
The 'call-in' issued by the Chiswick councillors, led by Cllr Robert Oulds, was to look at whether or not Cllr Mayne had made the right decision and to ask him to think again.
The Park Road and Staveley Road Resident's Association said it was relieved that the Scrutiny Committee had approved the limited (two hours per weekday) six month trial for controlled parking in Park Road and Staveley Road east in Grove Park. The situation regarding parking in their streets had become "increasingly challenging".
Cllr Oulds and Cllr Sam Hearn argued at the meeting that the scheme would lead to the displacement of parked vehicles into neighbouring streets. They also said that the proposal did not take into account research by the traffic department, presented to the Chiswick Area Forum on 20th November, 2012, that a CPZ in Park Road is likely to increase average traffic speeds and thus make the road less safe for all users, i.e. pedestrians and local residents.
The CPZ for the two streets in Grove Park is scheduled to be reviewed in six months time but Cllr Oulds said he did not hold out much hope that it would change things.
"The damage of displacement will already have been done, there could be potentially 120 cars displaced onto roads which cannot cope with them", he commented.
This was the second time that the issue had come before the Scrutiny Committee. Scrutiny is the process that holds the various functions of the council accountable. Last September, ten local councillors issued a 'call in', challenging what they believed was the “unauthorised” issuing of a public consultation by Cllr. Ed Mayne.
The issue will have to go forward for statutory consultation and Cllr Oulds said people could still make objections. However Cllr Mayne can still use his designated powers to proceed with the CPZ.
A statement from the Park Road and Staveley Road Residents' Association said;We are relieved that the London borough of Hounslow’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee yesterday approved a limited (two hours per weekday) six month trial for controlled parking in Park Road and Staveley Road east in Grove Park, Chiswick.
"The situation in our streets has become increasingly challenging over the past few years as more commuters, holiday-makers and long-term parkers have tended towards treating this area as a parking lot. We believe and hope that this move to manage parking abuse will make our streets safer and more pleasant for residents and visitors alike. We now look forward to details of the timing of the council’s introduction of this trial."
January 16, 2013