Bedfont and Feltham

Hi Alma- a colleague in our Parking team has provided some information and a response for you below.

Context

Ruscombe Way, Feltham is off of Bedfont Lane.  There are no restrictions in the road as such, except for double yellow lines at its junction with Bedfont Lane.  Yellow lines are a waiting restriction.  It is not part of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), nor is there any formalised footway or other parking in the road.

Ruscombe Way is a narrow road.   Cars park on one side of the road, leaving the other side free for vehicles to pass.  Vehicles parking fully on the road on both sides of the road would seriously obstruct access, and deny access to emergency vehicles such as an ambulance or fire engine.

 Turning Right out of Ruscombe Way into Bedfont Lane drivers and pedestrians would make their way to the Southville Primary school.

Almost opposite Ruscombe Way – off of Befont Lane is Tachbrook Road.  Tachbrook Road gives the main access to Rivers Academy

This means that Ruscombe Way is close to two schools, both of which have restrictions outside and in their vicinity.  It is close enough to drop off / pick up children and far enough away for a relatively easy exit to travel home, etc

Schools cover

The London Borough of Hounslow has more than sixty (60) schools within its boundary.  Many of these school shave more than one access point, and a few up to four access points, that all need covering.

As a Council, unfortunately, we do not have the resources to cover every school every day.  Consequently, we pick the top ten complainant schools each year for extensive enforcement.  These top ten schools do change each year.

 Additionally, other complainant schools we carry out limited targeting, both mornings and afternoons so for example, a school may receive three morning and three afternoon enforcement visits a few for between two to four weeks depending on perceived need, which is then reviewed.  Where necessary, enforcement is extended or continues ad-hoc.  These are where residents have complained, or motorists who have struggled in traffic.

As you will appreciate, covering schools removes those resources from other duties, such as covering Controlled Parking Zones, main roads and hot-spot illegal parking areas.  However, all CEOs are asked to cover any schools on their beat, but this does become difficult if the Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) is mobile and has more than one school in their area of cover.

Ruscombe Way cover

 Checking enforcement cover in the road, for the last two months – from the beginning of January to yesterday, 27^th February, I note that there has in fact only been two days of cover, which I believe are in response to a complaint.  The road was visited Wednesday morning, 26^th February and Thursday afternoon, 27^th February.  Both visits were at school time and Penalty Charge Notices were issued.

Complaints

I keep a record of all concerns that come into the Parking MailBox requesting enforcement, including schools cover.  My latest spread sheet goes back to the end of November 2023.  I can find no record of any complaint received as regards Ruscombe Way.

 The Parking Enforcement Team do keep their own record of concerns phoned in.  I cannot get information in the short amount of time given for this response, so I cannot give any accurate answer as regards their receiving calls or how many over what period.

Going forward

I will arrange some targeted enforcement visits school time, both morning and afternoon school times, although this will only be for a couple of weeks, then ad-hoc due to resources.

I will also arrange some evening enforcement visits.  These will be carried out by the Late Evening Team, who currently work until 11:30pm, so visits could be at any time during the evening

if you have any more concerns or want to raise something with the team please email Parking@hounslow.gov.uk

Thank you.

test response

Hi Joseph, thanks for your message! Is there something in particular you wanted to know about the area that we could maybe support with? 

a really good place to start is our Hounslow Connect Page

https://hounslowconnect.com/

where you can find out about activities, events and support for you in Hounslow and your local area.