Category Archives: ARLA Development

Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting 23rd January 2019

Lively meeting on Wednesday with updates from our local Police, a comprehensive presentation from HS2 representatives and Sqn Ldr Tenniswood from RAF Northolt.

 South Ruislip Residents’ Association (established in 1939)

Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday 23rd January 2019.

AGENDA

  1. Opening Remarks.
  2. Apologies for Absence.
  3. Minutes of Meeting.
  4. Matters Arising.
  5. Reports: Chairman, Treasurer, CRS, Secretary.
  6. Reports from Ward Councillors.
  7. Any other Business

NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING ON 23rdh January 2019 AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL THE FAIRWAY 8 PM

  1. Opening Remarks

Vice Chairman Sid Jackson chaired and opened the meeting at 8pm. Sid welcomed everyone to the meeting.

In attendance were 54 residents and 10 committee members. Councillors present Cllrs Teji Barnes, Allan Kauffman & Cllr Steve Tuckwell & Eddie Lavery

Sid introduced the new constitution which was printed off and distributed with 50 copies for voting at the AGM.

  1. Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Lynne Kauffman

  1. Minutes

No comments on the minutes

Sid distributed copies of the updated constitution for members to read which includes a section on diversity and inclusion.

4.0 Police.

PC & PCSO Anne-Marie talked through the crime figures as attached.  226 crimes. Anne-Marie highlighted break-in of motor vehicles being high and preventable.  Burglary higher at the moment – with thieves attracted by new goods from Christmas.  Be secure – put on a radio in the day as well as timer lights.

Discussed the benefits of Smart Water in use of crime prevention.

Anne-Marie asked about OWL and was encouraging people to use the system as a strong form of Neighbourhood Watch.  https://www.owl.co.uk/met/

5.0 Treasurers Report

Current account £451.90 and deposit £13,378.75.  Income and expenditure will be published for 2018 at the AGM next meeting.

6.0 Chief Road Steward

Please with the number of RS’s and only one more RS sought.

7.0 HS2

Slide deck for South Ruislip RA meeting Jan 19

Presentation from Grant Blowers, engagement Graham Dean Power Supplies.

The engagement team are to engage with local councillors, residents associations, residents etc. They are getting more staff to deal with issues. They will hold drop-in clinics every week in the area (although not in S Ruislip).  Recommended residents to sign up to www.hs2inhillingdon.commonplace.is  There is also a help desk 08081 434 434.

Power for the TBM

Stan on the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). The main issue is the electricity requirement which will come from a substation at North Harrow. Stan provided an update on the Power Supply route which needs to be dug to supply the electric.  Needs a heavy power supply 33kv and 20MVA (1MVA powers 250 domestic properties).  The cable will power the lighting and ventilation post build.

The route will go along residential streets as will minimise disruption vs main roads which they were considering.

They will dig a trench approx. 1.5m x 1.6m holding the cables. Roadworks in affected roads will last from 2 to 4 weeks.

Roads in Hillingdon affected are:

Rushdene Road, Deane Croft Road, Meadow Way, Hawthorne Avenue, Lime Grove, Myrtle Avenue, The Uplands, Westholme Gardens, Manor Way, Midcroft and Ickenham Road.

Work to start Q3 2019 and will last around a year on the cable route.

The drilling of the tunnels will start on West Ruislip and head to Old Oak Common.

SCS Works in South Ruislip

Matthew.  Putting a team in place at the moment and turn HS2 scheme into a more detail focused piece of work and they will seek planning permission from the borough councils for the required permits and work. Talked through next stages such as earthworks (2020-2023), civil engineering projects (2019 to 2025) and the railway installation 2024 to 2026.

TBM set to launch around 2021 from West Ruislip.

Discussed the work and impact.  There is an impact agreement to minimise disruption to traffic though they will close lanes etc. Discussed the vent shaft at South Ruislip.

Questions from the floor

Any air quality monitoring on the roads due to the lorry movements?  Not from HS2 representatives.  This is done by the local authority (Hillingdon).  They will be using Euro 6 lorries to minimise environmental impact (this is a most recent vehicle requirement). Pressure from the meeting on the councils to monitor.

Noise from the vent shaft?  Designed not to do that with fans to cool the tunnel and mitigate the noise.

What is the vent shaft diameter?  They would confirm later.

Cllr Kauffman raised concern re the lorry movement along busy roads and the damage caused.

Further questions discussed.

We will invite people from HS2 again to speak later in the year.  The update was appreciated.

8.0 RAF Northolt

Sq Ldr James Tenniswood.

Runway resurfacing.

It needs resurfacing, last done in 1977.  Needs to be repaired to continue as a military airport.  The runway will close between April and October.  It will be dug out completely and will be drained properly and improve the arrester beds.  Work delayed as the previous contractor was Carrillian who went into receivership.

The runway will remain the same size but at pains to point out it might look slightly longer due to the increased size of the arrester bed.

How will the closure affect the air traffic at the site? They will operate operation Bolthole.  Flights Rotary will come in. Fixed wing will move to RAF Benson who will be flown to there via helicopter.  Commercial flights will move elsewhere but will resume post build.

Heathrow consultation.

Dept of Transport mandated requirement to get improved use from the air space.  Use old technology at the moment and will use GPS to make faster routes.  RAF Northolt will be doing the same exercise later in the year.

RAF Northolt won’t be affected by Heathrow’s proposed plan.

Drones. 

Phone in sightings. Follow the drone code.

9.0 Pedestrian Crossing

Sid wrote to the council.  There is a lack of people stopping and a couple of complaints locally.  Anything we can do to improve matters.  Got an email back from the Traffic Team with a photo on a clear day and no buses present and how to use the zebra crossing is used.  Sid was disappointed.

The culvert at Lidl site on Victoria Road is being improved.

Keen to make the crossings more visible.

Concern raised re the length of time waiting for crossings to change when initially pressed.

10.0 Victoria Road

A number of consultations have taken place and have put in another from Victoria Road to the Black Bull to keep the traffic moving.  Purely traffic management only.

Meeting Closed at 9:55pm.

1st Anniversary of Cineworld in South Ruilsip!

 

Time flies – Cineworld South Ruislip will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Saturday 14th July, after welcoming over 350,000 cinema-goers in its first year.

 The 1,745-seat state of the art cinema, located at The Old Dairy, has shown over 346 films across over 15,946 screenings, playing the biggest blockbusters and delivering thousands of hours of movie magic for local residents. In the past year, over 58,000 portions of popcorn have been sold with large sweet popcorn being the most popular selling snack. 

 What’s more, South Ruislip cinema fans are big lovers of family-friendly blockbusters, with action-packed movies such as Marvel’s Black Panther, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle all featuring within the cinema’s top five performing films in the last year.

 To mark its first birthday, Cineworld South Ruislip is inviting local residents on Saturday 14th July from 1pm to 4pm to join in the festivities and activities planned for its landmark anniversary. This includes a wheel of fortune, plus amazing giveaways and opportunities to win goodies. Lucky winners could get their hands on complimentary cinema tickets, food & drink vouchers and even movie merchandise.

Sam Tomlinson, Cineworld South Ruislip General Manager, comments: “It’s been an incredible first year and we’ve loved being part of the local community, welcoming over 350,000 customers through our doors since we opened. On Saturday we’ll be giving away lots of prizes, goodies and it is the opening weekend of Pixar’s Incredibles 2, so what better way to spend our one-year anniversary and show our gratitude than giving back to the movie-loving community who help make the cinema so great.”

 Information supplied by cineworld. 

Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church Hall 25th October 2017

 South Ruislip Residents’ Association (established in 1939)

 Website :www.srra.org.uk

Email; srra12@hotmail.com

Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday 25th October 2017.

AGENDA

  1. Opening Remarks.
  2. Apologies for Absence.
  3. Minutes of Meeting.
  4. Matters Arising.
  5. Reports: Chairman, Treasurer, CRS, Secretary.
  6. Reports from Ward Councillors.
  7. Any other Business
Before the start of the meeting 2.

NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING ON 24th January 2017 AT ST MARY’s CHURCH HALL THE FAIRWAY 8 PM

  1. Opening Remarks

Vice Chairman Sid Jackson chaired and opened the meeting at 8pm. Sid welcomed everyone to the meeting.

In attendance were 59 residents and 9 committee members. Councillors present Cllrs Barnes and Kauffman.

  1. Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from: Kate Fennel, Hazel Hook, Frances Jones, Geoff Quantock, Jagjit Sohal, Jenny Hunt, Cllr Lavey and Cllr White, Cllr Kelly and Duducu, Geoff Quantock.

  1. Minutes

No comments on the last minutes

Before the start of the meeting
  1. Police

PC Maz Solanki spoke at the meeting and initially listed crimes in the area, in the last three months:

17 Assaults with injury, 6 Burglary non residential, 19 Burglary, 15 Common assaults, 28 Harassment

29 Other crimes notifiable, 24 Other thefts, 9 Drug related crime, 27 Motor vehicle thefts

15 Shoplifting, 1 Bike Theft.  189 in total.

The ward crime team in South Ruislip is down to one officer and one PCSO with a further PC joining the team this week.  Much lower than the five the ward used to have, which the officer lamented.

What are the clear up rates?  Unknown.  Low clear up for motor vehicle without CCTV not investigated without further evidence 9 out of 10 times it gets closed.

Closure of police station. Not informed when closed but expects shortly for Ruislip and Uxbridge especially as no custody suite at Uxbridge.  [Update subsequent to meeting MOPAC is looking to retain Ruislip with a North of borough presence and close Uxbridge in favour of Hayes station]

They are likely to merge three boroughs police forces to cut costs.

How will you travel?  3 unmarked vehicles in Ruislip.  Not enough for the number of officers. Likely to cycle.

There are not enough vehicles to support the officers.  Who use cycles, quite possibly to cycle from Hayes.  They are likely to start off in local areas and march out from the library. They don’t know where their locker rooms etc will be.

Cllr Teji Barnes raised the recent meeting at the council with MOPAC. The entire borough does not want this initiative. Discussed MOPAC initiative to shut Ruislip and Uxbridge police station. Lynne Kauffman praised a number of people who responded to the proposal and suggested people.

The PC raised concern about any of the police stations which will impact on response times.

What is causing much of the issues at the moment?

Worse issue is kids on cycles causing issues.  A lot of cycling on the ARLA Dairy site especially at ASDA.  Distraction thefts.  Are they local children?  They come from Hayes, Harrow, Ealing and the ramp and cinema are attracting them in.  The police have seen a large influx.  The PC has visited the parents of the children.

Cycle crime is more of an issue in the neighbouring wards than moped crime.

Disappointed with the response from security at ASDA.

Are you getting more officers to help support?  No.

Getting seven or eight calls a day from the site.  The onus is on security at the site.  The police don’t cover the site as private land.

  1. Reports from Vice Chairman – Sid Jackson

Introduced Rebecca and Sophie from Brunel who are Students journalists writing articles about South Ruislip

Norfest went very well and Sid thanked the committee members who attended.

ALRA development award from RICS for the site, the award goes forward to a national prize.

  1. Treasurers Report – Colin Hook

Current account £991.44 and £12,366.43 in the reserve.  Expenses to come at £215.

  1. ARLA Site

Complaint about vehicles being unloaded for sale on the site and set for sale from Victoria Road.  Seen as not adopted by council so not their issue.

  1. Lidl

Open before March. No move on this.  Further roadworks to be done.

What about the building used for worship behind?  Still seeing movement in the area.  But not large groups seen.  Planning and appeal for worship at the site rejected.

Time for a break

9.0 HS2

Work started. Drilling bore holes for the tunnels in the area Harvil Road, Rabournmead, Bridgewater Road, Sainsburys Car Park, Great Central Avenue and Herlwyn Avenue.  Expect to start work properly at the end of next year.

10.0 RAF Northolt  – James Tenniswood.

What is happening?  Many flights, due to Brexit, 5 people went to Caribbean moving the aid packages and water.

No plans to expand the commercial operation out of RAF Northolt and no plan for bigger aircraft and no increase in cap for flights.

There is a change in the resurface work on the runway which will now take place from July to November/December.  Fixed wing traffic will cease.  Rotary aircraft (helicopters) will stay and may increase when moving VIP’s around.

Whilst working on the runway they are improving the arrester bed at end of the beds.  Really looking at strengthening the beds.  Main work is strengthening the middle part of the runway where it is weakest.

Discussed the wider uses of the site.  Varied environment 32 supported units, map making, two bands, Queens colour squadron, BFOS Post office, bomb disposal and many more.  Service prosecuting authority.  About 2000 people there and only 600 are RAF. The runway is only 5% of the services at RAF Northolt.

Not able to accept scheduled flights. Not geared for it.  As a military base they have to be able to cancel flights as it is used by specialist agencies this would not work with scheduled flights.  No customs, gates, terminals, parking to cope etc or fire crews.

They will have large military aircraft in such as the C17.

They believe there is a crashed WWII Hurricane which they will try to recovered and excavate but pressure to complete the runway ASAP.

Very good of James Tenniswood to come in on his own time.

11.0  SKLP

Open Evening last week, applied for planning permission for change to a sports club. This will be opposed by Hillingdon Council and ourselves.  The officer opposing is keen to show any experiences that they have that highlight issues that you have had.  Please send via email to the SRRA and we will forward on.

12.0  Cllr Teji Barnes – Resurface and Fly Tipping Cavendish

Funding aside for roads, Broadhurst, Whitby Road around the shops, Hunters Hill, Southbourne and Greencroft and a limited number of pavements in the area. Mount Pleasant, Ridgeway, Oxford Drive and Newnham Avenue.

Looking at getting the clock working at Field End School following Frances Jones suggestion.  This will be done using the ward budget.  Looking to keep the original design.

Regular fly tipping at Church near Whitby Road.  Keen to report the action.  Cllr Barnes keen to use mobile cameras to tackle the issue.

13.0  Report from Chief Road Steward – Geoff Taylor

Three Road Stewards are retiring.  Looking for people for Mount Pleasant.  One for Palace Road and Diamond Road and one for 76-170 Long Drive and Fairview.

By the way – subs do not include free teas!

Tea time!

14.0  Cycling on Pavements – Doug Lewington

Disappointed by cycleway merging with pavement as proposed by the council from Station Approach to Polish War Memorial.  Designated as joint path bikes and pavement. Petition raised by Doug Lewington, with around 140 signatures going to be presented to Democratic Services by Cllr Kauffman to have this reconsidered.  Concern it is dangerous, the footpath is not wide enough.

15.0 South Ruislip Chamber of Commerce / South Ruislip Bridge

Sanjay from the Car Shop in Ruislip Parade spoke, introducing Sarah from Simply Flowers and Shahin from Ruislip Stars.

The SRCoC traders needed to pull together to combat the threat from the new trading site and to speak to the council together so have just launched the South Ruislip Chamber of Commerce.

Sarah discussed their passion to bring Christmas to South Ruislip, with a carol service and Father Christmas in the parade outside the shops.  The wanted help with car parking especially the public car park next to Sainsburys.

The car park is used by commuters.  Keen for spaces to be used for people who will shop locally.  Cllr Allan Kauffman said this was work in progress to change 15 bays for local shopping.

Discussion on keeping the road and pavement clean.  The council are not sweeping after replacing the pavements whilst this dries out.  Concern a heavy sweeper will disrupt the paving slabs.

Lynne mentioned that there is a monthly litter pick scheme if people wanted to join this. They promoted cleaning the paving in front of the shops encouraging owners to take ownership for these areas.

16.0 South Ruislip Improvements – Cllr Allan Kauffman

On the subject to South Ruislip improvements, Cllr Allan Kauffman then went on to detail the improvement scheme to the shopping area of South Ruislip which is in three phases. From the nursery to the chip shop then under the bridge and to the plumbing centre finally.  The improvements to the area include benches, bins, trees and other improvements.

Further from the Cllr: Christmas lights, set to improve this year: Spending £13,300 Ruislip £8,000 and  £13,017 in South Ruislip.  36 columns being decorated.  Installed on the 6th and 7th November and switch on the 13th November.

Road will be resurfaced.  Queens Walk, Fairway and Victoria Road and Station Approach.  Contact Allan if any roads missed.

Consultants working on the bridge improvement plans at South Ruislip including such as cladding, light and walkway raised.

Noted a further strike on the bridge, this time by a lorry from Spar.

Victoria Road.  Sid has written to Cllr Burrows (Traffic) Proposal for parking on the road to be unveiled following plans by the council.   Sid thought that the only way forward is to widen the road space and allow parking in the verges.

No right turn into West Mead and the filter into the ARLA site not working.  Raised as an issue within the council.

Sid as Chair thanked the SRCoC for attending.

17.0  AOB

Colin promoted the litter picking on a Saturday morning once a month in the area.  Colin picked up two bags of litter in a short distance. Concern about fly tipping in the car park opposite the Middlesex Arms.

Sid mentioned Greggs bags dumped by Queensmead students on the way to school.

Will the tip at South Ruislip open again?  No, too expensive for Hillingdon after the costs were increased by operators

Geoff Taylor suggested when the runway is closed work can be done at West End Road.  Should be resurfaced by TFL then suggested to Cllr AK.

Traffic headed to West End Road on Station Approach – facing long delays. Lights will be reviewed by council as part of the whole process as the ARLA centre is opened and Cllr AK said they will be improved.

12th of November Polish War Remembrance Service.  RAF Padre to take the service.  All welcome.  Choir from Bourne School, drama students and other people coming. Service start 10.30am, arrive at 10.15.  Details on the website.

There are a number of residential roads not covered by Neighbourhood watch in the area.  The coordinator will send a list of these to us and we will ask for support from our members.

Discussion on Boris Johnson attending the SRRA meeting in the future.  Pencilled in for 2018. It is likely to be a 4pm start on a Thursday or Friday.  We will prioritise the regular attendees to come to the meeting.

     Meeting Closed at 9.40 pm.

What is the Art Work at The Old Dairy, South Ruislip Called?

Turning Point by Oliver Barratt

Responding to a question from a resident who wanted to know what the piece was called which is sited near the Cinema, the restaurants and ASDA at the Old Dairy/ARLA site and we are happy to provide the answer…

The artwork is called ‘Turning Point’ and is by an artist called Oliver Barratt who is a UK based sculptor. His website features photos from the sculpture as it is being completed.

The work was commissioned by Citygrove who were the developers at the South Ruislip site.

More of Oliver’s work can be found on his site…  www.oliverbarratt.co.uk

Minutes from July Quarterly Meeting

We have just posted the minutes from the last quarterly in July.  Plenty happening in the area with HS2 and news on the field opposite Field End School on Field End Road.  No more Thunderpark!

The minutes can be found over here.

Sorry for the delay in getting them out this time!

Minutes of the South Ruislip Residents Association Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday 26th April 2017

In attendance were 52 residents and 10 committee members.  Councillors present Cllr Kelly, Kauffman and White.

Apologies were received from: Cllr Lavery & Cllr Barnes.

  • Meeting Opened 20:03.

Minutes signed off.

  • Reports from the Chairman

Collecting emails for invites to the opening of the cinema.  Going to give details to Citygrove with the hope that they invite the attendees of this meeting.

Will discuss HS2, ARLA and Victoria Road and traffic congestion later.

Any comments on the newsletter following the change?  Yes, please make sure we add the date and time of the meeting.  Did you like the mast head with the Polish War Memorial? Positive reply.  This is our local landmark.  Some more work to tidy it up and improve the presentation.

  • Secretary Report

Noted that the meeting is recorded for the benefit of the minutes.

  • Treasurers Report

As at last night current account £505.94 and Reserve £13,365.79.  Out-standing is a cheque for insurance for £156.75.

Colin placed on record thanks to John Davy for auditing the accounts. Accounts accepted by the meeting.

John said thank you for not claiming expenses to the committee.

  • Chief Road Steward

Vacancies for road stewards in West End Road (side that backs onto Wingfield Way)(12), Bourne Court and Station Approach (6), Cavendish Avenue and Dudley Drive (13) and part of The Fairway, odd numbers (19).    Not an onerous task;  Delivering four times a year and collecting subs. Have taken on a few Road Stewards recently.

Going to deliver newsletters to the flats on the ARLA site to encourage them to join the resident’s association.

  • Election of Officers
Officer Person
Vice Chairman Sid Jackson
Treasurer Colin Hook
Chief Road Steward Geoff Taylor
Secretary Jeremy Wasden

 Officers were duly proposed and seconded.  All voted in with approval of the AGM.

Mr Sohal asked Sid whether he would become Chair.  Sid mentioned he felt he was unable to attend to meetings at the council and similar activities which meant that he could not do the job of chair with 100% commitment.

Question from the floor.  Did Sid not take the Chair role and stay Vice-Chair so that he didn’t have to remain neutral as a Chair should do?  Sid said he was unaware of such a rule.  Secretary commented that it is better to be impassioned and take a view to move the association forward but we would always give both sides of the argument the opportunity to put their case (within reason).  

  • ARLA Site

ASDA opens 22nd of May.  Looking to recruit within 5 miles of the store.  Manager did say he was coming to speak tonight but has clearly forgotten.  Nando’s has opened.  The Cinema will open in July.   Looking to invite members to the opening.

  • Has applied for license to sell alcohol until 3am.

Live music, dance and recorded music and food until 5am.  More like a nightclub than a cinema.

Judy was the only complainant previously and encouraged people to write in to the panel and complain.

Might be hard to object when the restaurants and the BP have a license.  But reason to be concerned with the nightclub elements.  Have approached Cllr Kauffman for a form to object.  A concern about anti-social behaviour and planning permission creep.

Agreed to raise a petition against (which was done with 54 signatures).

Question from the floor.  What licencing committee would allow that variance?  The government changed licencing laws, with more freedom of the sale so can only really object to poor behaviour after the permission has been granted.  When rejected from the council licence committee they have then appealed and gone to a magistrate who has accepted the conditions and granted the application.   Very hard to stop the agreement, only get refused later after complaints.

The council would put on conditions which help restrict this, such as two trained staff needed at BP to sell alcohol at night.

Do the Cinema need to change their planning use?  Cllr Kauffman said they would go back and follow up with the council officers.

  • LIDL

The Comet building has gone.  Bensons of Bed’s is still trading and construction work is ongoing.

  • HS2

Sid attended a meeting with HS2 staff about the amenity work.  They have appointed contractors Costain and Skansa who will work between 8am and 6pm.  Due to start March 2019 digging up the roads.  Will drill small bore holes for samples along the route.  Dig up the road between Sainsbury’s and the Fishing Net and under the bridge and at Bridgewater Road bridge and along West End Road.

Sid has written to the chair of the HS planning committee to ensure that the window for works is large enough to complete the works without running at the same time.

The lorries will be circa 50 lorries a day as they remove spoil from the vent shaft at the ARLA site.

Looks to be a computer modelling exercise for the planning rather than carefully planned locally on ground.

Read in paper Brexit may delay and if delayed by a couple of years it may kill off HS2.

  • RAF Northolt Open Day

22nd of July.  Some tickets still available £5 each.  As a resident’s association we will be at the show.  Enough people to man the stand.  We have pictures to use.  Will hand out newsletters and a perhaps a canvas bag.

  • RAF Northolt Runway

They have the go ahead for the replacement for the runway which will mean the runway is closed between April to October next year to fix wing aircraft.  Still open for helicopters.

Carried out scans on the remains of the crash spitfire from WWII.  It is not a war grave.  Looking to excavate during the refurb of the runway.

Large amount of people on the site.  BFPO, Central Band, RAF Band, some thirty units there.  Quite a complex base with a fair amount of scale there.

Response from the Cllrs to Ealing’s proposal to but 20,000 houses on the site.  – Can you imagine what the impact would be?  Total no no.  Last surviving Battle of Britain airport. They have a restriction that they can’t take scheduled flights, nothing that gets in the way of short term needs of the military.    Can’t take any airplanes over 28 seats.

Is there a relationship with London Docklands airport?  No only shared management of VIP area.

Sid saw the commitment of the runway refurb as positive, but no guarantee.

  • Improvements to South Ruislip

Field End Recreation ground.  Proposal was to add two buildings, but stopped as ceiling for boxing ring is 12ft.  Going to be rebuilt now.    Will be a car park, fencing and MUGA pitch there.  Sports hall, changing facility, canteen and office.  All covered by CCTV.  Cost will be £1.4Million plus £400k for the pitch.

Good use for field only used once a year.

Skateboard Park.  On the Field End Rec near the road, but far from housing.  Funding in place.

Road resurfacing.  Victoria Road to Eastcote Arms.  Station Approach to West End Road.  Then footpaths.  The Fairway and Queens Walk to receive the attention.  Pavements are more expensive than roads to do.  Quicker to do via tarmacs.  400 miles or road in the borough and around 800 miles of pavement.

Break for tea

The Fairground at Field End Road.  If crime can’t be controlled the fair will be stopped.

Great Central Avenue.  Not many objections raised to addition of further flats and petitioners did not turn up.

Concern over what is left at the bottom of the stairs.  Based on information from a former fire chief will look at the law and Allan will check it out.

Bonnells Electric Contractor.  Fenced off pavement and dumping cable reels in the front of the building.  Concern about it looking a mess and parking on the front yard.

Eastcote Arms.  Looking to be turned back into a pub, planning application in with Harrow to turn into 16 flats.

  • Victoria Road Traffic Parking and Traffic

David Seaman’s speech.  He thanks the council for the resurfacing of the area between Field End Road and Royal Crescent.

“Due to cars parked in Victoria Road between South Ruislip and Ruislip Manor it can be difficult, if not impossible to pass a large vehicle, coming in the opposite direction.   Not long ago I personally experienced what can happen when large vehicles come head to head and cannot find enough room to pass each other, and are unable to reverse due to the traffic that had quickly built up behind them. As result of this a large number of motorist had no option but to do a u turn in Victoria Road in order to find another way around this obstruction.   How this blockage was resolved I have no idea as the large vehicles were still head to head when it came my turn to leave the scene by doing u turn. What would happen if an emergency vehicle would want to go down there?

Both our Vice Chairman and Councillor Kauffman have told me that the council are aware of this problem and that the council intend to do something about it, but nothing seems to be happening.

In view of the inaction may I request that our association writes to the council on a formal basis asking them. “What and when do they propose to do something about this problem?”

 Sid followed up the Cllr Burrows and the council have looked at various issues with the road, widening, parking, the trees and it’s a difficult problem which they don’t want to tackle in his opinion.

Linda raised a petition about the parking some 15 months ago, so it being looked at as a parking issue rather than a vehicle access.  Sid wrote to say that the road is not fit for purpose as an HGV access route to South Ruislip.

Kris – same problem in Great Central Avenue.

Cited as a good example, Eastcote Road in Harrow, seems to have worked.  Have removed the trees countered Allan.

Sid keen for the council to walk the site at Victoria Road.

ALDI/B&M Removal of superstore sign.  Needs to be either give way or filter light.  Concern still of people turning right into West Mead.

  • Cllr Judy Kelly

Attended petition hearing from two years ago.  Part of the pavement to be divided on West End Road cycle road. Still looking for a crossing over the A40 for children from Harvey Road.  Historic objection from TFL for zebra crossings on the A40 slip road.  Concern for speed.

  • AOB
    • Extend lanes on two lanes on West End Road

Suggestion following the improvement in to junction at The Fairway and Victoria Road.  Up to TFL to develop the area.  Glebe Farm owned by an offshore insurance company.  Pinch point at Glebe Farm.  Might ease traffic into West End Road.

  • Pavements Being Broken by large lorries in the area

Encourage residents to take photographs where possible and the council will prosecute and make for example builders pay for it.

Complaints about vehicles parking on pavements and grass verges.

16.3      Bus Bin West Mead

Needs to be on the other side, located against solid wall with advertisement.

  • Flower & Plant Sale Ruislip Lions

6th of May at the Rugby Club, West End Road.

Meeting Closed.

Whats Happening in South Ruislip?: Latest Updates! January 2017

Calling them meeting minutes gets a little dull.  But if you want to know whats happening with Lidl Planning or a devious thief in B&M/ALDI or whether HS2 building has started, it is all below!

In this age of the demise of newsletters it’s probably one of the best sources of local South Ruislip information…

Minutes of the South Ruislip Residents Association

Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday 25th January 2017

In attendance were 52 and 14 committee members.  Councillors present Eddie Lavery, Judy Kelly, Michael White, Allan Kauffman and Teji Barnes.  Henry Neel of Lidl and South Ruislip SNT Sgt James Wright.

Apologies were received for Mrs Val Blacker and SRRA committee member Geoff Taylor.

1.0        Opening Remarks & Welcome & Matters Arising from the Minutes & Signed Minutes. 

2.0          Police  by South Ruislip SNT Sgt James Wright

The meeting was joined by South Ruislip SNT Sgt James Wright.  Discussed recent crime figures with concern over burglary and car crime.  Assaults put down to police recording of even playground scraps where informed.

Burglary the police feel there are two teams operating on the area, one has been disbanded with arrests made and they are working on the second.  They are working in Thames Valley and the Met mixing this up with vehicle crime.

Theft of personal property also high due to retail parks.  Police disappointed B&M and ALDI are not paying for security.  Local police targeting a prolific female thief in B&M/ALDA, with thefts “almost daily”.  Sgt Wright suggested not taking whole bag there only credit cards which can be replaced with little loss.

They are working on the robbery in Victoria Road.  The perpetrators left behind vehicle forensics and items dropped which have created a number of leads for the police but they are waiting on those forensics results.

3.0          LIDL Henry Neel

Have planning consent at committee on the 11th January.  They are discharging planning conditions, agreeing S106 and 278 highway works. The next stage for confirmation of the build is from the Mayors office/ GLA an then Hillingdon will give Lidl formal confirmation.   Approval is expected and they look to start on site April and open by Christmas.

Question regarding S106 spend.  Henry Neel suggested looking online for full report on planning website.  But the exact details of the planned costs are still being agreed with London Borough of Hillingdon officers.

Source Minutes and agenda report pack

Plans for the site can be found here.

4.0          Treasurers Report

As at 30th December 2016 current account  £247.24 Reserve account  £13,365.46.  Full accounts at the AGM but we made a small surplus.

5.0          Chief Road Steward Report

Thank you to Lynne Kauffman for organising with distribution of this month’s newsletter with various members of the committee and to the Road Stewards for their delivery.

We are seeking Road Stewards for Station Approach, Bourne Court, Melthorne Drive, Queens Walk, Queens Walk Terrace, West End Road and Wingfield Way

6.0          ARLA Site

Handed over with fit out expected by May.  Small delay caused by a power cut.

Developers hope to host an open evening event, which we will make open to SRRA meeting attendees, if we can.

Sid keen to look at the cinema as it built so following that closely.

Citygrove has purchased a sculpture which they will unveil.

Bellway housing opening on a different timescale.   The walkway to open linking to Station Approach as the commercial site opens.
7.0          HS2

Looks like it will go ahead.  Work to start at the end of the year.  HS2 forced to reveal data on housing purchase and compensation deals to make a more level playing field for people.

Tunnel from old oak common.

Need to dig up for sewers on Long Drive/Station Approach/Bridgewater Road/West End Road.  Concern the work will take a couple of years rather than just months.  The impact will be massive as Allan pointed out to parliament at HS2 hearing.

8.0          London Green Belt Council

No Issues

9.0          RAF

22nd July is the date for the family day only a little flying.  Circa 8000 tickets, meant to be a local event. £5 adults £3 children.

10.0        Community Voice

Linda typed up the minutes from the last meeting of Community Voice and we will circulate.  [Secretary – see the post here]

11.0        Youth Centre

Update from Allan and Lynne Kauffman.

Now organised by Dettie Quirke (who is running youth centres across the borough) who is actively seeking to regenerate activity for local children and aim to get the children back in with a series of targeted activities.  Open evening there tonight.  Youth workers will be full time over summer holiday.

“The centre is gradually starting to come back to life.”

On a day to day basis four youth workers at the moment.  Lynne Kaufman confident in roving care taker, Bill who looks to take pride in the centre.

Seeking Youth volunteers.  Dettie Quirke will come and talk to us at a future date.

12.0        Improving South Ruislip

After hearing a rumour from Sainsburys staff at SR that the store might close, Sid rang the David Mills Property Manager who said that it was a good store, trading well and not closing. Sid asked him about improving the store, and offered some suggestions and he will hopefully come back to us.

From Cllr Allan Kauffman.  Looked with officers at the parade as the area looks poor compared to the modern Dairy Development.  The trees to be pollarded or replaced and new pavements with more trees and seating.  Lots of planters by the railings and modular flower display – possibly paid for my SRRA.  Price set to be around £200,000.  Paid on S106 and TFL funds. Should happen in this year.

Concern expressed that once work done it will be dug up again and ruined by work such as HS2 and ARLA in the area.  Sid said that contractors would be obliged to return the site to the same condition.

Good Christmas lights next year.  Asked for green, white and red rather than colder blue and white ones.

Bridge works. Plans drawn up to clad the brickwork, with a higher walkway and better lighting.  Taken up with TFL.  Cost is circa £350,000.  Allan to continue to work on this.

Positive response to road changes at the junction of Long Drive and Victoria Road but request for better signage and consideration for speeding the southerly route onto West End Road from Station Approach.   Discussed difficulty in doing that and the knock on effect of heavy traffic and poor road layout at the Target roundabout.

Cars on Victoria Road, concern with parking both sides of the road.  Looking at changes to either one side of the road or both.  Likely to lose trees but will replant.

13.0        Great Central House, Great Central Avenue Opposite Station.

Aware of planning and councillors aware but it is not on planning schedule as yet.  Concern re overcrowding in the area.  Ex-Fireman expressed concern about buggies etc left in the stairway as it is a means of escape route and should be clear at all times.  Councils responsibility under the regulatory reform order.  It’s a protected route.  Allan said he would follow this up with enforcement officers.

14.0        SR Chamber of Commerce Update

Buying flowers in the parade on Long Drive, Sid asked in the Florist about the chamber of commerce and said that the response was so enthusiastic he was greatly encouraged.

Next meeting of the Chamber in Feb. Plenty of space for meetings without over reliance on the Ramada.  We support and Sid will attend a future meeting. Sanjay chair been trading for 30 years in car repair and we know he is very keen on the area.

Nursery expanding into adjacent buildings with positive trading.

15.0        SKLP

Historically disruptive to neighbours.  Not so bad last year.  Revitalise efforts and awareness amongst police and Hillingdon council officers when close to festival season.

16.0        Brackenbridge House – Slip Road

Corsa being sold from the area.  Illegally running a business.  Plan to block the area with no parking between 10am and 12am to stop vehicles being left there, such as the van advertising the hand car wash which does not seem to have moved in 5 years.  It is also bad for the nursing home at Brackenbridge House.  Parking changes have gone to consultation.

17.0        Alleyway Royal Crescent and Field End Road

Road resurfaced, part of this is due to work by David Seaman campaigning.  Needs bollard placing to stop cars cutting through in a somewhat dangerous fashion.  This element to be done at residents cost by a resident builder.  Resurface work paid for by the Chrysalis fund.

18.0        Boundary Changes

Keen to stay with rest of Ruislip rather than split off with Ealing wards and Hillingdon area.  Lady wrote asking what is happening.  We await the Boundary Commission’s recommendations in due course but it will take a while as due to affect 2020 elections.

19.0        AOB

19.1        Scam Email HMRC 

From Cllr Teji Barnes – Watch out for scam emails which contain promises of tax refunds.  Such as this one.

hmrc-email

19.2 Building to rear of Lidl Columbus House

Allan Kauffman – Bought by a worship group in 2013.  They put in a change of use to change to worship use and a retail use below.  A tiler currently works below.  This was refused for numerous reasons, mainly as an industrial area not for worship.

If they got planning permission it would add traffic and block the road.

[Secretary : It sounded like the application was not formally refused for change of use.]  They’ve also set up marques and events (non-permanent) which we would expect them to hold license for to operate.

Sid wanted to know what they could put in a petition against Lidl who is trying to act correctly legally and they stopped planning (albeit temporarily).  Can’t the council refuse the petition because it comes from a body operating illegally? Why are planning enforcement officers not following this up on it?

Cllr Lavery spoke (as a councillor who chaired the planing committee meetings).  They were presented with a  valid petition (which just needs 20 Hillingdon residents signatures to be valid regardless of anything else) at the meeting but it was never considered or explored as Lidl agreed to make changes to the plan to move things around.  However the committee can only rule on the proposition that is presented not one changed.  Thus the planning decision was deferred.   The meeting did not get further to consider the decision.

Lidl  came back with a revised scheme.

The councillors will follow up on the Columbus House site.  “It is being actively followed up on.”

19.3        Thank you

Thank you for the tea and coffee and the all the help getting the newsletters out.

19.4        Meeting Closed

Next SRRA Quarterly meeting is the AGM Wednesday 26th April 2017

 

 

Temporary Road Closure: Long Lane and Victoria Road

Long Drive / Victoria Road Junction Road Works

Did you see the Gazette with the planning notice for 18 months at Long Drive / Victoria Road? That will be interesting….

We have phoned the council today and asked them to clarify further details – what the timescale will be and is this ARLA or HS2 related (assume ARLA), what works are being done and have also asked South Ruislip Cllr Allan Kauffman for any information on this one.

Will post more when we learn more from them.

** UPDATE 30.09.2016 16:00 **

Spoke to an officer from LB Hillingdon who was good enough to give us an update. The works are for and as a result of the ARLA site, but basically the Traffic Lights and islands at the junction of Victoria Road and Long Drive aren’t up to the job so are going to be replaced. This won’t come as a shock to many of us.

It’s going to be quicker and less painful in the long term to do the work over the half term than mess around with temporary lights. LBH want to cover themselves in case the work over runs hence the fairly standard request for access for 18 months rather than the week possibly required. TFL are concerned that it will run into a second week so that remains a distinct possibility.

The lights are the responsibility of TLF (Hillingdon don’t control any lights themselves).

I asked whether they would be ‘intelligent lights’. The officer said that they would be an improvement especially in the information that they can send and receive back from TFL. But I would add you can only funnel as much traffic into Long Drive/Station Approach as it will take.

Hope you know a little more about this now.

 

ARLA / AVIVA Sites Junction with Victoria Road and West Mead

This concerns the junction outside the new B&M Homestores / Aldi, with the work ongoing.  This Facebook post from Brian Dazley sums up the issue and Brian’s concerns…

West End Road Victoria Road

We have approached our local councillors… here was South Ruislip Cllr Judy Kelly’s follow up to council traffic officers.

“I received the attached email today complaining about the confusing lay out of the junction of West Mead with Victoria Road.and I would totally agree with the comments

When these plans were first drawn up and shown to local councillors Cllr. Kaufman and I booked an appointment with the traffic officers to object to the ‘no right turn’ out of West Mead.  We pointed out that as there is already a ‘no right’ turn coming from Long Drive it would turn many of the side roads into ‘rat runs’ as they would become the only means of turning right into Victoria Road.

At this meeting it was agreed that although the traffic lights were to be moved it would still be possible to make a right turn out of West Mead yet it is very unclear how to do this as there are obstacles straight in front so one has to drive partially along the wrong side of the road before getting onto the correct carriageway.  it is indeed a very dangerous situation.  Can this be rectified as a matter of urgency please.”

We will feedback as we hear more, however if you have concerns it is well worth also phoning the council 01895 250111 and leaving feedback for them on this issue directly.  The more people that contact the more likely they are to reply urgently.