Agenda and draft minutes

In respect of the following items Members of the Public attending are encouraged to ask questions and raise any concerns

Traffic/Pedestrian Crossing Issues – Colney Hatch Lane junctions with Alexandra Park Road and Pages Lane

(this will be considered with Item  4 on the Committee part of the agenda)

Tony Kennedy -  Transport Policy & Projects Manager LB Haringey will be in attendance

Regeneration of Alexandra Palace – Update - 7.20pm

Duncan Wilson – Chief Executive – Alexandra Palace will give an update to the Forum on the current activities and development proposals for the Palace

There will be a 5 minute interval after the Area Forum business has concluded before the Area Committee commences

See below

An apology for absence was received form Councillor Allison.

NOTED

There were no declarations of interests.

NOTED

The Chair advised that a petition had been received (649 signatures) and also a deputation request from CrossSafe N10 in respect of Traffic/Pedestrian Crossing Issues – Alexandra Park Road and Pages Lane junctions with Colney Hatch Lane, London N10.

The Chair asked that the Committee agree to the deputation request and receive the petition.

The Committee agreed to hear the deputation request and receive the petition nemine contradicente.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Sheila Watson and Katie Forkan and representative of CrossSafe N10 and asked that Ms Watson and Ms Forkan address the meeting for approx 5 minutes.

Ms Watson, in addressing the meeting, advised that in respect of the location of Colney Hatch Lane junctions with Alexandra Park Road and Pages Lane, London N10, she had lived in the area for well over 35 years and recalled to the meeting the tragic accident some 35 years before of  little boy of 11 who on his first day at big school was knocked down and killed. She recalled that the little boy’s mother heard the bump and ran out in time not to save him, but to see him die. Ms Watson advised that that little boy had come to her mind a great deal of late - and never more so than when she sent her own sons off to school across these junctions. Ms Watson commented that those who supported this campaign knew that one day such an accident would happen again because of the dangers which the existing crossings posed. Ms Watson commented on the fact of being told that residents would in a sense have to wait until that moment came before action would be taken. 

Ms Watson stressed that the Campaign would not wait for that bump – and the Campaign would not wait for a death – and wanted action now - and the Campaign knew of hundreds of others who crossed this complex dangerous junction - the 649 who signed the petition, the schools, the nurseries and the clubs who supported this campaign - won't wait either. Ms Watson concluded that she urged the Committee and the Council to support action now and that the changes that the Campaign wanted to see were straightforward and sensible:

Ms Forkan also advised that the petition received by the Council had 649 signatures. These include paper copy petitions and the online petition which was put on the website 38 degrees, and handed to the Democratic Services manager Clifford Hart, and Ms Forkan referred to the copy of the original petition which she would hand to  Peter Howarth who was present representing TfL.

Ms Forkan commented that the Campaign had approached the schools who were directly affected by this dangerous crossing,  and Muswell Hill Primary and Our Lady of Muswell put the information on their weekly newsletter and encouraged people to sign. The Schools also passed the information to Parent Representatives from each class who could then e-mail the petition details to every parent. Ms Forkan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Muswell Hill, Alexandra, Fortis Green and Highgate Area Committee held on 30 January 2014 be agreed as an accurate record of the proceedings.

Matters Arising

MH80ii

The Chair advised that she was still awaiting a response from TfL regarding the evidence that she had submitted regarding overcrowding on the 43 and 134 bus routes in the morning peak.

NOTED

MH85 – POLICE ISSUES

The Chair advised that Cllr Newton had rewritten to the Borough Commander for an update on police  numbers  in Borough and received an immediate response that was circulated to members saying that the situation on the number of officers had not changed.

Parking Cross-overs

The Chair reported that she was still awaiting a response in respect of the number of cross-over applications refused, and figures for enforcement action over cross-over infringement in each of the 4 Wards of the Area Forum in the past 3 years.

ROAD SAFETY

The Chair advised that CrossSafe had presented their petition earlier in the meeting.

NOTED

MH91 (iii) & (iv)

The Chair reported that in respect of the issues raised in the presentation at the last meeting regarding North Hill traffic by Mr Webber of the Highgate Society and the parking issues on Aylmer Parade that copies of responses from Tony Kennedy to be interleaved with the minutes. They are as follows:

North Hill - View Road - Church Road junction

The methodology for prioritisation of investment in Neighbourhoods and Corridors [main roads] was agreed by Cabinet in October 2010. This methodology was used to develop the 2014/17 LIP Delivery Plan which sets out our priorities for the next three years. Unfortunately the above junction has not been identified as a priority for the consideration of LIP funding in 2014/15. Therefore, we cannot explore the option of introducing pedestrian facilities or altering the width of the existing pedestrian island at this time.

Although we do not doubt the various observations of the potential dangers at the location in question, we receive similar requests throughout the borough and must therefore have an evidence based approach to qualify our decisions when identifying locations for Council Capital Local Safety Schemes funding.

Based on the low personal injury accidents at this location during the past five years, two recorded slight injury that did not involve a pedestrian or cyclist, it would not be considered a priority for funding through our Local Safety Schemes programme. 

Inadequate signage relating to parking restrictions and HGV Enforcement

Our Parking Schemes team is currently reviewing the weight/lorry restriction and parking signage in the North Hill/Highgate area to ensure they comply with the current Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. It is envisaged that the review will be completed in the next few months and will allow for more robust enforcement of the restrictions.

Speeding on North Hill

Following previous reports of excessive speeding along North Hill, the Metropolitan Police conducted a traffic survey at B519 North Hill N6, between the junctions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

CrossSafe N10

Noted comments of Councillor Jenks that the issue be ‘expedited’.

Alexandra Palace Regeneration

Following on from a discussion at the Area Forum Councillor Bloch raised the issue of a potential casino at Alexandra Palace. The Committee was not minded to take a view on this matter. Councillor Bloch then asked that his personal objection to the housing of any casino at Alexandra Palace be recorded.

Noted – the view of the Committee that the regeneration presentation was well received and that the current approach was welcomed. 

 The Chair advised  that the Area Plan would be updated to include the Colney Hatch Lane issues and a time frame on responses. 

NOTED

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.

The Chair also advised the Committee that as this was the last meeting of the Area Committee/Forum of 2013/14, she wished to place on record her thanks to all Members of the Committee for their support throughout the past three years.

The Chair also passed on the Committee’s thanks to all officers of the Council’s services, and in particular the  Area Champion – Mun Thong Phung, and Beverley Tarka (Deputy Director Adult and Community Services) – who had deputised in the role for the past two meetings, and to the Democratic Services  Manager – Clifford Hart, for all his support and advice to the Chair and members.

The Committee gave a round of applause.

The Committee also thanked the Chair – Councillor Engert for all her efforts in managing and progressing the work of the Committee since 2011.

NOTED

The meeting ended at 20.40hrs.