Agenda item

To receive notice of petitions presented by Members on behalf of local residents.

Councillor Clancy, introduced the submitted petition which read:

“Please stop the access restrictions coming into effect as of 4th September 2017 – Woodcote Primary School Coulsdon. Parents, carers and residents were not consulted about this scheme before implementing this pilot. We find this scheme to be grossly unfair and as a collective punishment.

“This area’s demographics necessitates the use of cars due to lack of accessible transport. Croydon Council is insisting children from age 3 walk, cycle and catch a non existing bus service to Woodcote Primary School.

The Council also recommends parking on surrounding roads who have similar access, congestion and other safety issues. So therefore have placed a band aid on these roads and this will exacerbate existing complaints.

“Will Cllr Stuart King provide us with a report which suggests this pilot scheme is plausible. Especially to Woodcote School who has zero safety breaches (no accidents) sustained on the restricted roads. Yet they must and should be trying to improve safety on Smitham Bottom and Woodcote Grove A237, which are in dire need of improvements. So in effect pushing vulnerable children out of a safe zone and onto an unsafe main road.

“Residents are also in disagreement as they do not wish to be restricted by permits to access their own homes.

“We urge the council to immediately halt the pilot and invite residents and parents to have a discussion with aim to satisfying all parties where possible.”

Councillor King responded that the pilot scheme was introduced due to concerns of unsafe conditions at the school gates. The consultation would conclude in March 2018 at which point the scheme would be assessed and a report taken to the Traffic Management Advisory Committee (TMAC) where it would be decided whether to continue the scheme or not.

Councillor Wentworth introduced the submitted petition which read:

“We call on Croydon Council to take urgent measures to deal with the high

volume of traffic and speeding problems in Bradley Road, Moore Road and

Woodend SE19.”

Councillor King responded that the most practical option was to restrict the road to a one way system. A commitment was made to add the road to the list of roads to be considered for such works, and that residents would be consulted on any proposals forthcoming.

Councillor Flemming, introduced the submitted petition which read:

“We the undersigned residents of Green Lane and surrounding areas call upon the Council and partner agencies to provide the following:

1. A greater visible police presence.

2. A permanent CCTV camera along Green Lane parade and surrounding side streets.

3. Resurfacing of the Green Lane parade and provision of street furniture.”

Councillor Ali responded to the first point in the petition, stating that the police provided a visible presence in target areas in the borough. The Police regularly bid for extra resources and the hope was that the increase in wards resulting from the boundary review could provide more access to policing resources.  Responding to the second point in the petition, Councillor Ali stated that the Council had secured a new set of deployable CCTV cameras that allowed for more flexibility in the allocation of areas for coverage.

Councillor King, responding to the third point in the petition, stated that officers analysed areas most in need, and that the area in question had been recently analysed and the condition deemed safe. The area would continue to be monitored on a monthly basis.