Controversy Continues Over CPZ Proposal For Grove Park |
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Local councillor Ed Mayne hits back at criticism from Conservatives
A row has blown up over the controversial decision to allow a CPZ for an area of Grove Park in Chiswick. Local Conservative councillors criticised Councillor Ed Mayne on a number of points relating to the issue, but Councillor Mayne today (Dec 12) hit back at his critics. One of the claims by the Conservative Party group on the Council is that Cllr Mayne (Lab), who is lead member with responsibility for parking had missed "four opportunities" to explain to the people of Chiswick why he considered a consultation and a CPZ were necessary. Furthermore he was a resident of Isleworth, not Chiswick, they said. However Councillor Ed Mayne has disputed this. The fact that he was a resident of Isleworth was " irrelevant" he said, because Chiswick is part of the Borough of Hounslow. His comments can be read in full below. "I was unfortunately unable to go to the July meeting of the Chiswick Area Forum. However I have not been invited to any subsequent meetings even though I made it clear to the Chair that I was happy to attend a future meeting. So the claim about there being four meetings I could attend is false. "At the regular meeting of the forum held at Chiswick Town Hall on 20th November, residents of Park Road and the area around it were able to voice their concerns about the traffic and parking problems associated with the lack of a Controlled Parking Zone. "A Council Officer summarised the results of the very limited CPZ consultation carried out in only one and a half streets. The consultation results differed little from the results of the previous two consultations. "The officer also explained the results of research conducted, at the request of local councillors, into traffic speeds and road safety in Park Road. There was no explanation as to why this important work had not been completed and the results published before the consultation was launched. "Residents of the wider community, represented by the Grove Park Association, also made representations to the councillors. Relevant detailed survey evidence was offered by them on the current usage of the Chiswick House Car Park and the parking spaces available in Park Road. This data was queried by some residents of Park Road but no contrary evidence was offered. "The debate was heated, with views about facts and opinions and many interjections from the audience. "Senior officers agreed with Councillors that there was no precedent in Hounslow for the actions of the Cabinet Member, Cllr Ed Mayne (for his unilateral decision to impose a parking scheme on the residents irrespective of the views of the Area Councillors and those representing the wider community south of the A4. "Councillor Mayne, a Labour Councillor representing Isleworth and is not a resident of Chiswick. He has missed four opportunities to explain in public to local residents why he believes yet another CPZ consultation was necessary and how the proposed CPZ would benefit residents. "After a debate and question and answer session with officers and residents, Chiswick Councillors were asked merely to note the report before it heads off to Lampton Road and a presentation to the Council Cabinet. A default decision will be made at that point by Councillors who have little or no knowledge of Chiswick and the concerns of its residents."
December 12, 2012
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