Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transportation and Highways

To consider the above petition bearing 32 signatures, which is being supported by Councillor R Bailey, a Cheylesmore Councillor, who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item, along with the petition organiser.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Director of Transportation and Highways, which responded to a petition requesting bollards at the Daintree Croft and Daventry Road junction.  The petition was supported by Councillor R Bailey, a Cheylesmore Ward Councillor, who, together with the Petition Organiser, attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the petitioners.

The petition submitted contained 32 signatures and in accordance with the City Council’s procedure for dealing with petitions, those related to road safety and parking issues were heard by the Cabinet Member for City Services. The Cabinet Member had considered the petition in advance of the meeting and requested that the petition be dealt with by Determination Letter rather than a formal report being submitted to the meeting.

On receipt of the Determination Letter, the petition organiser advised he wanted the issue to be considered at a Cabinet Member for City Services meeting.

The report indicated that Daintree Croft was a residential cul-de-sac off Daventry Road.  A location plan was appended to the report.  The Determination Letter advised that there were existing double yellow lines at the junction, prohibiting waiting on the road and the pavement.  The junction had been visited regularly by the Council’s Parking Enforcement Team and additional patrols requested in response to the petitioners’ concerns. 

The Cabinet Member viewed a slideshow of photographs of issues in the area taken over the past 3 – 4 months by the Petition Organiser.  Councillor R Bailey and the Petition Organiser spoke in support of the petition, explaining that the petition had been raised due to issues with illegally parked cars blocking the pavement and road, causing issues for both residents and emergency vehicles.  The busy take away shops were causing issues due to the delivery drivers parking on the corners and blocking pavements despite the double yellow lines, resulting in pedestrians having to walk in the road.  Traffic was speeding down the Daventry Road and turning into Daintree Croft where ‘Access only’ signage was incorrectly positioned.  Suggested alternative off-road parking was available on Dillotford Avenue and in Budgens car park.  Bollards would alleviate the problem, improving permanent access for emergency vehicles, safety and visibility.  Councillor R Brown added his support to the petition and it was suggested planters could be installed on the pavements instead of bollards.

Officers responded by clarifying that during a recent site visit, the ‘Access Only’ signage had been reviewed and confirmed that it was correctly located.  Officers urged caution regarding the installation of planters on the narrowest part of the pavements in the area as this may add to the current issues.  It was noted that the two properties on the corner of Daintree Croft had additional unofficial vehicle crossings. 

The Cabinet Member suggested temporary planters be installed on the wider section of the pavements, to alleviate the problem of illegal parking.

The Deputy Cabinet Member requested that officers check the road signs were visible behind the tree as they were obscured when it was in leaf.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services having considered the petition:

1. Notes the petitioners’ concerns.

2. Endorses the actions confirmed by determination letter to the petition organiser (as detailed in paragraph 1.5 and 1.6 of the report).

3. Request that officers investigate the installation of planter(s) to deter illegal parking.

4. Request Highways Maintenance to prune the tree obscuring the road signage.