The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth met to consider a petition requesting enhanced road infrastructure on Northwood Way, Northwood. Following discussions with the lead petitioner and local ward councillor, decisions were made to commission traffic and speed surveys and to consult residents on potential parking restrictions.

Enhanced Road Infrastructure on Northwood Way, Northwood

The meeting considered a petition from residents of Northwood Way, Northwood expressing concerns about high levels of speeding and collisions in the area. The lead petitioner highlighted recent incidents involving damage to parked vehicles and injuries, suggesting a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph and the installation of radar-controlled speed signs. Councillor Kishan Bhatt, the local ward councillor, supported these concerns, noting increased dangerous driving and incidents, and proposed measures such as single yellow lines, speed humps, and Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS).¹

Officers confirmed that the most recent validated collision data available to the Council was up to the end of 2023, with no recorded incidents on the specific section of Northwood Way in the last five years. However, they acknowledged this data might not capture all incidents, particularly those not involving emergency services. The report also noted that older types of speed humps, often referred to as sleeping policemen, are no longer widely installed by councils, including Hillingdon. The potential for traffic calming measures to increase noise and the unsuitability of horizontal measures like chicanes for residential roads were also discussed.

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Steve Tuckwell, acknowledged the residents' concerns and the limitations regarding speed limit enforcement without consistent police engagement. He suggested approaching the local Safer Neighbourhood Team to explore a Community Speed Watch initiative.

The Cabinet Member made the following decisions:

• He met with the petitioners and listened to their request for enhanced road infrastructure measures on Northwood Way.
• He approved the commissioning of independent 24/7 traffic and speed surveys on Northwood Way, with locations to be agreed in consultation with the petitioners and local Ward Councillors. These surveys are a reliable method for understanding traffic movements and speeds, using specialist equipment to monitor vehicles over a period of at least a week or ten days. The cost for these surveys is approximately £85 per location, to be managed within existing Transportation Services revenue budgets.
• He approved that officers undertake an informal consultation with residents on the potential introduction of parking restrictions, subject to the findings of the traffic surveys. The report noted that while some properties have off-street parking, others rely on on-street parking, and the removal of parked vehicles could potentially lead to increased traffic speeds.

The meeting was held on 16 April 2025 and concluded at 6:24 pm.