Council To 'Take on Board' Scrutiny Committee Criticism

But leader rules out change of direction in borough transport policy

An existing LTN in Hounslow borough
An existing LTN in Hounslow borough

Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran has promised to ‘take on board’ recommendations made by the borough’s cross-party Overview and Scrutiny Committee but there is to be no change in direction for transport policy.

An earlier decision by the Cabinet to proceed with phase 3 of the Streetspace schemes which will see a significant expansion of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods across the borough was called in by the committee on 30 November after motions were put forward by Labour councillor Richard Eason and Conservative councillor John Todd.

The committee concluded that there were grounds for a review of the decision including inadequate consultation and a lack of evidence as well as the possibility of a human rights or equalities challenge. They recommended that traffic modelling should take place and be published before any scheme is implemented and that consultations should first be conducted by a firm that is a member of the Market Research Society rather than reliance being placed on the council’s Commonplace platform and that means should be found to allow the digitally excluded to participate in any consultation exercise.

During a Cabinet meeting held online on Tuesday 8 December during a discussion of the call in Cllr Curran said, “We were asked to ensure we put these measures in quickly and there has been a reaction because people – and we – prefer a proper consultation. That wasn't possible if we were to move at pace.

"We will learn the lessons. It's absolutely incumbent on Cabinet and the Council to note the recommendations. But from what I am hearing I believe that the report of 20 October stands in its entirety but – and this is a big but – we will absolutely take on board the points raised in the Overview and Scrutiny report. It is thorough. I'm proposing that the original decision stands but we do take note of the report and will consider seriously all the recommendations."

This was approved by the other cabinet members.

The use of Experimental Traffic Orders for such schemes is mandated by the Department for Transport as a condition of gaining funding for transport schemes at the moment. This means they are initiated without prior consultation but residents can give feedback during a ‘trial’ period once the measures are in place.


A mao of LTNs planned in the Chiswick area

Calls by Cllr Eason for the resignation of two cabinet members, Hanif Khan and Katherine Dunne, were not discussed at the meeting.

Cllr Joanna Biddolph, who represents Turnham Green ward said, “All we heard was the same cabinet members saying the same phrases and using the same arguments that were trotted out before the call-in and during the call-in. It is clear that this cabinet does not listen and does not want to hear what its residents and its retail and hospitality business owners are saying.

“It does listen to, and read from scripts provided by, the proponents of these schemes, and in doing so appears to have no independence of thought. There is no lateral thinking, either. As I said after the call-in, it's a nanny-knows-best cabinet. Hounslow council run by Labour is a nanny state, interfering with and stifling a community and the retail economy that lies at its heart.

“Retailers are even more depressed and fear that what should be the best time of year for business will be destroyed – by the council elected to support and serve them. Cabinet has given them no help and no hope. All it has shown is a shocking lack of detail, a shocking lack of understanding about how businesses operate, and a shocking lack of concern. “

To have your say on any of Hounslow’s trial Streetspace schemes click on this link or email the transport team on traffic@hounslow.gov.uk.

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December 11, 2020