The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel met to discuss and unanimously recommend that Harrow Council's Leader of the Council approve the implementation of a red route in parts of Rayners Lane, Alexandra Avenue and Village Way East to improve traffic flow, access to parking and loading, and reduce congestion. The panel also recommended delegating authority to the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, to agree the terms of the experimental traffic management order, having undertaken further pre-order engagement, and to make decisions to withdraw the order or make modifications to it during the experimental period. Finally, the panel noted that a decision on whether to make a permanent order will go to Cabinet for approval.

Rayners Lane Red Route Proposal

The panel discussed a proposal to implement a red route in Rayners Lane, Alexandra Avenue and Village Way East. The report presented to the panel outlined the persistent issues of double parking and misuse of parking bays in Rayners Lane Town Centre, which it said caused congestion, safety risks and disruption to local businesses.

The report noted that traditional enforcement efforts had been ineffective, and that alternative measures had been explored. It concluded that a red route was the most effective solution to restore safe and efficient traffic flow in the area.

The report stated that traffic surveys conducted earlier in the year found that over 1,700 incidents of double parking were recorded across three days. It also noted that parking occupancy surveys revealed consistently high parking demand, particularly on Sundays.

The proposed red route would mean that stopping would not be permitted outside of marked bays, in the carriageway, or where double red lines are in place at any time, except for emergency services and licensed taxis picking up or setting down passengers.

The report also proposed changes to parking and loading arrangements, including:

• A maximum stay of three hours in Pay by Phone parking bays
• No return to the same parking place for a period of four hours
• Operating hours of 8.30am to 8.30pm, seven days a week
• The introduction of four new motorcycle parking bays along Alexandra Avenue, each with a maximum stay of one hour, with no return within one hour
• The introduction of designated loading bays that will operate at any time, seven days a week

The report stated that initial feedback from key stakeholders, including emergency services, transport operators, health representatives, and freight and logistics bodies, had been supportive of the proposals.

The report also outlined an engagement approach, including pre-engagement activities to raise awareness of the proposed measures, and consultation during the Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) trial.

The panel were asked to recommend to the Leader of the Council that they:

1. Approve the implementation of a red route in parts of Rayners Lane, Alexandra Avenue and Village Way East.
2. Approve the making of an experimental traffic order (ETO) to implement a red route in Rayners Lane.
3. Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, to agree the terms of the experimental traffic management order, having undertaken further pre-order engagement, and to make decisions to withdraw the order or make modifications to it during the experimental period.
4. Note that a decision on whether to make a permanent order will go to Cabinet for approval.

Following discussion, the panel unanimously agreed to recommend the proposals to the Leader of the Council.

Concerns Raised

During the meeting, Ms Veronica Chamberlain, the Cycling Adviser, queried why loading bays were being proposed for the front of business premises as opposed to the rear. Officers advised that rear surfaces on service roads in the vicinity were not even, and therefore, inconducive for loading. They added that businesses were experiencing issues with accessing the service road via Village Way East due to vehicles parked at the entrance.

The Public Transport Adviser asked about the consultation process, and what would be done to ensure it was effective. Officers advised that the consultation period would be six months, and the Legal officer would work closely with officers to take residents' views into account.

The Public Transport Adviser also asked if the council had vehicle-removal facilities, and officers confirmed that it did.

The Public Transport Adviser raised concerns about delivery bikes being parked along the proposed scheme for periods when their riders were not working, and how the one-hour free parking period would be monitored to prevent delivery bike riders flouting the regulations. Officers advised that the scheme was designed to encourage behavioural change, and delivery bike riders would be monitored closely to ensure they complied with the regulations.

The panel asked whether the proposed additional four new CCTV cameras would be adequate to cover the proposed scheme's area. Officers advised that the four new CCTV cameras would be in addition to existing cameras and would be adequate for the scheme, but that more CCTVs would be installed if required.

The panel queried whether the consultation would be extended to residents living just beyond the proposed areas, and officers advised that that was not envisaged at the moment.

Councillor Declarations of Interest

Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was the council's appointed trustee on the Harrow Cycling Hub, and would remain in the meeting while the matter was being discussed.