Ref: PHD 090/04
Subject:
Responsible Officer:
Contact Officer:
Portfolio Holder:
Key Decision:
Urgent/Non Urgent:
Power to be exercised:
Status:
Petition to Remove Bus Shelter at Northbound
Bus Stop Located Opposite 402 High Road,
Harrow Weald
Interim Head of Environment & Transport
Hanif Islam
Environment and Transport
No
Non Urgent
Portfolio Holder Responsibilities (Allocation of
Responsibilities) – Para 2(iii) of Delegated
Powers of Portfolio Holders, Appendix to the
Executive Procedure Rules, Part 4D of the
Constitution.
Part 1
Section 1: Summary
Decision Required
Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport approval to:
1. Authorise officers to write to the Head Petitioner advising that the Council
will recommend Transport for London retain the bus shelter.
2. Authorise officers to write to Transport for London recommending the
retention of the shelter.
Reason for report
To seek approval for response to petition.
Benefits
Bus passengers will benefit from shelter from adverse weather, seating, and
improved security at night from lighting. It is council and the Mayor of London’s
policy to install bus stop shelters at every bus stop where practical.
Cost of Proposals
None
Risks
Dissatisfaction of petitioners
Implications if recommendations rejected
Bus passengers will lose above mentioned benefits.
Section 2: Report
2.1
Brief History
Transport for London (TfL) have installed a bus stop shelter at bus stop number
BP146 located outside number 501 High Road, Harrow Weald (and opposite
number 402 High Road, Harrow Weald. See Appendix A.
The bus stop serves bus routes 182, 258, 340, 615, 640, H12 and H18. The stop is
a request stop.
Nine local residents have signed a petition to request Transport for London to
remove the bus stop shelter and for Harrow Council to support this request. The
petition was presented to Cabinet on 16th December 2004. See Appendix B.
Transport for London has advised the Council the following:
•
It is TfL aspiration and the Mayor’s policy to install bus stop shelters at all bus
stops where practically feasible.
•
Stops
that:
o
o
o
o
•
that are given priority when deciding where to install shelters are those
are located in a high demand area such as near Harrow College;
are situated in locations that can accommodate a shelter;
have had requests from the public for a shelter;
do not directly back on to private property.
The stop on High Road in Harrow Weald meets all the above criteria.
It is also council policy to progressively improve bus stop locations in the Borough,
including provision of weatherproof waiting areas and seats.
Council officers have visited the site and discussed the petition with Transport for
London and at the quarterly Bus and Highway Liaison Meeting of 5th January 2005
attended by Council Members and officers, Bus Operators, Transport for London
and Harrow Public Transport User’s Association. In all cases, it was felt that the
grounds set out in the petition did not outweigh the advantages to bus passengers
and hence there was strong support to retain the bus stop shelter. See item 5 in
minutes of meeting given in Appendix C.
However, it was suggested that officers investigate installing a bin in the vicinity of
the bus stop to reduce litter in the area. This is in hand.
2.2
Options considered
Recommending to Transport for London that they remove the shelter. However, this
would be contrary to policy and would fail to achieve the benefits to bus passengers.
2.3
Consultation
The petition was discussed at the Bus and Highway Liaison Meeting of 5th January
2005. The recommendations are based on the outcome of these discussions.
Ward Councillors have been sent a draft copy of this report for comments. Councillor
Paddy Lyne telephoned to say that she disagreed with the recommendations. Her
view is that:
•
•
•
The shelter is unnecessary on the basis that there are other stops nearby with
shelters;
The stop appears to be mainly used for alighting passengers who do not
require shelters;
The shrubbery behind the stop is young and does not form a visual barrier to
the nearby residential properties.
As this location meets the Transport for London criteria as set out above the officer
recommendation is to retain the shelter.
2.4
Financial Implications
None
Signature …………………………………
Date ……………………………
Name (print) Anil Nagpal…………………………………………………….
2.5
Legal Implications
None
Signature …………………………………
Date ……………………………
Name (print) John Hannington……………………………………………….
2.6
Equalities Impact
Bus shelters enable the elderly or otherwise mobility impaired to rest while waiting
for a bus.
Section 3: Supporting Information/ Background Documents
Appendices:
Appendix A: Plan and photos of bus stop on High Road, Harrow Weald (the plan of
the High Road is not available electronically)
Appendix B: Petition (not available electronically)
Appendix C: Minutes of Bus and Highway Liaison Meeting 5th January 2005
Supporting Information:
Background Documents:
List information that is on deposit in Group Offices and can be viewed on the web:
List other background papers that are available on request:
Signature:
…………………………………………………………………………
Position
Interim Head of Environment & Transport
Name (print) Terry Ansell…………………………………………….
Date:
FOR PORTFOLIO HOLDER
* I do agree to the decision proposed
* I do not agree to the decision proposed
* Please delete as appropriate
Notification of personal interests (if any) :-
(Note: if you have a prejudicial interest you should not take this decision)
Additional comments made by and/or options considered by the Portfolio Holder
Signature:
…………………………………………………………………………
Portfolio Holder
Date:
APPENDIX A
Plan and photos of bus stop on High Road, Harrow Weald
(published/attached separately)
APPENDIX B
Petition
(published/attached separately)
APPENDIX C
Minutes of Bus and Highway Liaison Meeting 5th January 2005
(published/attached separately)