Forum Topic

Is it true Friars green CPZ  area to be reduced?

I was heartened to read the posting of Vlod Barchuk recently about CPZ.  "One hour in the morning (10-11 I think), one in the afternoon (4-5). The CPZ will cover all roads both sides of Horn Lane that are not currently in a CPZ; nowhere between the Uxbridge Rd and A40 in Acton will be CPZ-less." but now I hear that roads west of Horn lane eg. Julian, Hereford, Shalimar, Essex are now actually to be excluded from CPZ. Can this be true? I am quite disturbed because although many of us in this neighbourhood do not want to pay CPZ fees, we are so fed up with people parking here and commuting to paddington or westfield and residents  cannot find parking when we have a car full of groceries or little children. ( or both!)

Kyria- Josephine Sewell ● 5568d43 Comments

It seems to be true. I have written to the councillors and Bassam Mahfouz about this. They have given me two different reasons. One because of objections, which Bassam refuted and gave a completely erroneous legal reason. Which Vlod has pointed out is wrong.The whole point of both sides of Horn lane becoming a CPZ was to avoid the very situation which the council is now creating, where all the displaced parking will be forced into the ONLY part of Acton to still have free parking forming a parking ghetto. Nice work chaps.

Bob Crossley ● 5568d

Taken 9.30 this morning at Springfield Gardens. Outside CPZ hoursOn the left CPZ Roosemont Road on the south sideOn the right Creswick Road. no CPZ on the north side

Bob Crossley ● 5568d

My reply to Bassam Mahfouz (minus the introductory invective).The Cabinet report of February 2010 sets out the reasoning for introducing a CPZ for the whole area. The overall response rate was 20% (just over if one excludes private roads that were consulted but would not have the CPZ applied to them).  The CPZ policy does not require that the results of any inner and outer zone consulted should be considered separately.  CPZ policy does require (as set out in paragraph 2.2.3) that “if the consultation response rate is over 20% and the percentage in favour of creating a CPZ is less than 60%, then a CPZ will be created only where measures can be taken to reduce the impact of any parking displacement on neighbouring streets outside the proposed CPZ area.” If a CPZ is applied across the whole consultation area this requirement is met because all the surrounding streets are already in CPZs; there will therefore be no displacement. The result in the core area was a 26% turnout, with 51% in favour, so consideration needs to be given as to how parking displacement outside the proposed CPZ area will be reduced. Putting stop and shop bays in Essex Rd (outside the new CPZ) will not reduce displacement; in fact it will slightly increase displacement as there will be fewer places to park outside the CPZ. So your decision to only apply the CPZ to the core area is counter to CPZ policy and leaves the council open to challenge by the ombudsman. All this should be evident from reading the Cabinet report. Officers would also be able to tell you that the last time the ombudsman ruled against the Council on parking, it was in relation to a street in Southall that was not included in a CPZ and then suffered parking displacement when controls were introduced in neighbouring streets. This decision was taken by the previous Conservative administration implementing the policy of the previous Labour administration (1994-2006) to introduce CPZs on a street by street basis. It was precisely to avoid this sort of situation that we revised the CPZ policy to make decisions on an area basis.

Vlod Barchuk ● 5567d

What do you expect when they tried to rush the whole process through in less than 10 years?And you think these people are going to be able to organise new schools?

Hayes Thompson ● 5567d

We are staggered that this has happened. After the council labelling every street lamp in the area announcing the CPZ now decide to cancel with out a notice. The situation in our streets is becoming unbearable. Our Councillors are silent and seem unreachable. What can we do? Should we petition? Should we take more direct action?

Trevor Perry ● 5565d

The reasons for cancelling just do not make sense. If the CPZ was cancelled because of the poor response they would have done it last year not at the last minute. Bassam says it was not because of any objections and any way there were only 12.So what is behind this. Is it some vested interest they are not admitting to?

Bob Crossley ● 5565d

Suggestion:  a Freedom of Information Request to the Council will give you a response within 10 days.

Dee Cook ● 5565d

Thanks Dee. The problem is they have given a reason which is erroneous. Vlod's entry explains why. A FOI request would only produce the same answer wouldn't it? Why did they leave it until the eleventh hour to cancel and why didn't they announce it? It is appalling.

Bob Crossley ● 5565d

There was a lot of debate at the ward forum and Dan Crawford said he would take it on as a project..the implication was that the councillors would try and fast-track a CPZ on that sied of Horn Lave - there were really a lot of very cross voters at the meeting.But whether they will try hard, and more critically whether they actually have the power/influence to change it in the shortish term must be the real challenge.

Sara Nathan ● 5565d

Our councillors have promised another meeting on CPZ.  If our councillors will not listen, they should go.  Surely if we could sack an MP we should be able to sack our councillors. This should be put to motion at the next meeting (if they dare have one.)

Nicola Howard ● 5560d

Perhaps the problem with consultations is that many who vote AGAINST CPZ schemes are NOT permanent residents.  and therefore have a vested interest in NOT paying for a permit.  They are transient, here today, gone tomorrow.Perhaps only those who pay Council Tax should have a vote in such controversial issues.(Apologies for capitals.)

Dee Cook ● 5560d

How do you know that?I have seen a breakdown of who voted what where but don't believe there is any form of societal analysis.More likely that transients would not vote at all -given that only about 20% do.

Sara Nathan ● 5560d

Dear All,Seems the decision to omit roads to the west of Horn Lane was made by the three local councillors and the Portfolio Holder Bassam Mahfouz who is in the Ealing Council Cabinet as the member for Transport and Environment. In the original survey 82 were against the scheme in the outer area but only 10-12 opposed it when the public notices were errected. Doesnt that show that more are now in favour? One reason for the lack of replies to the original survey is that included roads already in a cpz!  E mail all involved. Dont wait for another meeting and yet more discussion.David

David Groves ● 5560d

...I'd go one step further and make it a vote for car owners only who pay Council Tax; not for concientious objectors.

T Beme ● 5560d

Is this reduction why the scheme isn't starting on 1 July as planned?  Anybody know when it will start?  Has anyone received an application pack to apply for a permit?

Sarah Harris ● 5559d

Not as yet. The council are playing secret squirrell.

Nicola Howard ● 5558d

Didn't Andy Crane say they were aiming at mid July to August !st

Bob Crossley ● 5558d

I spoke to Bassam on Thursday and he said that there would be an assessment made around 3 months after the new roads in the scheme go live. If the other side of Horn Lane is suffering from displacement parking then they would bring scheme in quickly.

Paul Webster ● 5557d

After all the emails I have sent and received this is the first time I have heard this mentioned. Wouldn't it be nice if they made an announcement or told us at the forum meeting. They are just making up policy on the hoof?

Bob Crossley ● 5557d

Paul.Do you really believe Bassam?

Nicola Howard ● 5556d

I don't know him - I happened to meet him at an event last week and tackled him on the topic and that is what he said.

Paul Webster ● 5554d

Paul if you should see him again, could you ask him to respond to his emails.  Thanks.

Dee Cook ● 5554d

DeeDid you read the art on the Gazette web page on the Acton page

Nicola Howard ● 5553d

Marking for the Fryers Green CPZ are now being put down on the WEST side of Horn Lane so that those of us living next to it cannot park in our own area.Yes they were there in the Horn Lane redevelopment consultation but so was the outer area CPZ.Because of the eleventh hour cancellation, we are left with an appalling muddle.

Bob Crossley ● 5553d

Am feeling dense...Does this mean the disputed Friary Place CPZ is now being implemented both sides of Horn Lane?Sorry to be bear of little brain but don't understand!

Sara Nathan ● 5553d

The Friars Green CPZ was to originally be both east and west of Horn LaneFor reasons only known to the council (No logical reason has yet been given) They did not implement the area west of Horn Lane. But due to an 'over-site' they have not deleted a couple (maybe more) anomalies.Which means both sides of Horn Lane are being marked as being in zone MM. Whereas those of us on the west side, no longer in the CPZ, are excluded from parking there.Unless we can get it stopped.

Bob Crossley ● 5553d

Following residents' requests at the ward forum, councillors promised a meeting specifically to discuss the CPZ. Any news on this?

Vlod Barchuk ● 5553d

Permit application received saying the zone will become operational on 1 August, so time is ticking for those in the roads which have been excluded but marked up.

Sarah Harris ● 5553d

Have asked the very nice chap who came to the ward forum to clarify - but haven't heard back yet.

Sara Nathan ● 5553d

Yes. I've emailed Andy Crane, Daniel Crawford and Bassam Mahfouz. Asking/demanding they are removed, just as the 'stop and shop' bays in Essex Road had to be removed for the same reason.

Bob Crossley ● 5553d

Bob could you E-mail me with a contact number as my E-mail to you bounced back.  Have some pics of the displacement.Pic of Creswick Rd should be in this weeks Gazette. Lets hope this picture goes in un-cropped and, speaks a 1000 words.

Nicola Howard ● 5553d

Julian No CPZCreswick No CPZAcacia new CPZ

Bob Crossley ● 5553d

Bob Crossley ● 5543d

Counted at least 20 parking spaces along the bottom end of Creswick Rd today, Saturday.It begs the question, who's side are this disfunctional Labour council on, the residents or the commuters?There were also 8 spaces at the Horn Ln of Julian Ave.

Nicola Howard ● 5543d

Hi all.  I've forgotten the timings of the new CPZ west of Horn Lane.  I know it's an hour in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Without removing the plastic covers from the signage, can you help me out and let me know?  Thanks so much.

Angela White ● 5530d

10-11 AM and 4-5 PM Mon to Fri for zone MM

Nicola Howard ● 5530d

West of Horn Lane it's FREE all day every day !

Bob Crossley ● 5530d

Please turn the compass around!!! ha ha.It's East of horn Ln that is 10-11 AM and 4-5 PM zone MM

Nicola Howard ● 5530d

Thanks Bob!!!  You are a card!  Or is that car?I remember the days.......parking, free all day every day.  Those were the days.  Not.

Angela White ● 5530d

Thanks Nicola!

Angela White ● 5530d

So are you all set for Monday morning?

Sara Nathan ● 5529d

YupGood luck to those on the west side, problen's problem's

Nicola Howard ● 5529d

Page 6 Leader. Council reviews parking zone boundaries.Page 15 Gazette. Back to drawing board over CPZ.Both papers Friday 2/9/11.

Nicola Howard ● 5495d