The Petition Hearing - Residents Services meeting considered two petitions. A decision was made to undertake further investigation into the feasibility of a zebra crossing on Harlington Road. For the petition requesting a Stop and Shop parking scheme on Kingshill Avenue, it was decided to proceed with an informal consultation.

Harlington Road Zebra Crossing

The meeting discussed a petition requesting the installation of a zebra crossing on Harlington Road. Concerns were raised about the safety of children crossing the road, particularly due to the proximity of several schools, including Bishops Hall, Hillingdon Primary, and others. The existing zebra crossing was described as being too far away, and the crossing on top of the road was deemed tricky due to a bend, making it hazardous for pedestrians when large vehicles are present. Cars parked in front of the Sahara¹ were also noted as a hazard, forcing those with pushchairs or mobility scooters to the edge of the road.

Councillor Wayne Bridges, Cabinet Member for Residents Services, agreed with the proposal to investigate further. He stated, I will confirm that I would like officers to take this away and look at it in further detail. Come back to me with what the options are. He also confirmed that the lead petitioner, Councillor Armidolano, and his ward colleagues would be kept informed of progress. A letter from Bishops Hall regarding the issue was also acknowledged and will be included in future discussions.

Kingshill Avenue Stop and Shop Parking Scheme

A petition was presented requesting the introduction of a Stop and Shop parking scheme on Kingshill Avenue in Charville. The lead petitioner, Mr. Clive Hollyoak, who owns a sweet shop on the avenue, explained that long-term parking by car owners using public transport, vehicles for sale, residents with multiple cars, mechanics storing damaged vehicles, company vans, and shop staff were preventing shoppers from parking. This lack of parking was negatively impacting local businesses, particularly during difficult economic times. Mr. Hollyoak advocated for pay and display meters, specifically requesting older, coin-operated machines rather than app-based systems, to cater to all age groups.

Ward councillors Councillor Davies and Councillor Raval spoke in support of the petition. They highlighted that parking bays were consistently full, not by shoppers, but by those using them for extended periods. Councillor Davies noted that even late at night, the bays remained occupied, leading to double parking, congestion, and frustration for genuine customers. They proposed a pay and display scheme operating between 9 am and 6 pm, with a review of disabled parking provision to include a 90-minute maximum stay. Vicky Singh Gurwara, a shopkeeper at the local convenience store, echoed these concerns, describing the difficulties faced by customers due to double parking and the resulting congestion.

Councillor Wayne Bridges acknowledged the success of Stop and Shop schemes in other areas and agreed that such a scheme could benefit Kingshill Avenue. He stated, I can see no reason why it couldn't work in this location either. He confirmed his decision to proceed with an informal consultation, in liaison with ward councillors, to gather further feedback from residents and businesses. The scale of the petition, with over 300 signatures, was noted as a strong indicator of community support for the proposal.