Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

To consider the above petition, bearing 8 e-signatures. The petition organiser has been invited to the meeting for consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in response to a petition, received from a Foleshill Ward resident, that requested the creation of a safer environment for children attending Edgewick Primary School, by the introduction of a pelican crossing. The Petition Organiser had been invited to attend the meeting for consideration of the matter but was unable to attend.

The petition, bearing 8 e-signatures, read:

‘We would like children to attend school and be able to cross the road with the implementation of a pelican crossing. There are two schools and a nursery where parents and children attempt to cross a busy main road. There have been occasions where there have been near misses due to increased traffic at that time, parked cars and lack of visibility’

In accordance with the City Council's procedure for dealing with petitions, those relating to road safety were heard by the Cabinet Member for City Services. The Cabinet Member had considered the petition prior to this meeting and in response to the request made, requested that the petition was dealt with by letter (determination letter), rather than a formal report being submitted to a meeting, to be able to deal with the matter more efficiently.

The determination letter advised that it was not currently proposed to install a pedestrian phase at the traffic lights at the junction of Foleshilll Road, Cross Road and Ransom Road, but that the request would be considered by the Urban Traffic Management Control Team (the team that looked after traffic signals) for inclusion in a future year’s Programme. On receipt of the determination letter, that provided an option to request a Cabinet Member report to be considered at a Cabinet Member meeting if so wished, the Petitioner Organiser advised they did not wish the petition to be progressed by letter and wanted the issue to be considered through a report to Cabinet Member for City Services. An Appendix to the report provided a site plan of the location and a further Appendix to the report provided a copy of the determination letter.

The report indicated that in addition to the petition, the School Business Manager and the Head Teacher had raised concerns about school gate parking issues on both Foleshill Road and Cross Road, officers therefore met the School Business Manager on site, to observe and discuss the issues. 

There were existing restrictions prohibiting parking, however to try to assist to alleviate concerns and improve pedestrian safety, it was proposed to install flower planters as a physical measure to prevent parking and driving on the footway. It was intended that the children would take over the ongoing maintenance of the planters by choosing the plants and planting them.

The Council were also undertaking enforcement of School Keep Clears, where there were no stopping restrictions in operation, using a car with ANPR technology. This would assist to encourage drivers not to park on the markings.

Having considered the report and the comments made by Traffic Management Officers, the Cabinet Member agreed that the actions confirmed by determination letter to the petition spokesperson, as detailed in the report, are undertaken.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Notes the petitioners’ concerns.

2)  Notes that Officers are currently meeting with Edgwick Primary School regarding school time parking issues.

3)  Endorses that the actions confirmed by determination letter to the petition spokesperson, as detailed in paragraph 1.6 to 1.10 of the report, are undertaken.