We asked, you said, we did

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We asked

We asked what you thought about the section of the Barnet Loop between Colindale Avenue and the Barnfield River Approach by Burnt Oak station. This route was completed in 2024.

You said

There were 25 comments on the Cycleway 51 section of the Barnet Loop.

• 12% wanted wider footways and space for cycling
• 16% wanted more frequent signage for wayfinding
• 20% wanted safer ways for pedestrians and cyclists to crossroads
• 16% wanted lower traffic speeds and volumes
• 12% wanted fewer parked cars and obstructions to enable safe cycling
• 24% provided other comments (better facilities along route, dangerous due to antisocial behaviour, more benches/seating options on route)

We did

Signs have been installed to the required standard as part of the recent scheme.

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We asked

We asked what you thought about the section of the Barnet Loop between Barnfield Road and River Approach to the Station Road / A5100 and Penhurst Gardens Roundabout.

You said

There were 40 comments on the Burnt Oak to Edgware section of the Barnet Loop.

• 28% wanted wider footways and space for cycling (particularly near hospital)
• 2% wanted more frequent signage for wayfinding
• 13% wanted safer ways for pedestrians and cyclists to crossroads
• 10% wanted lower traffic speeds and volumes (particularly near Station Road)
• 10% wanted fewer parked cars and obstructions to enable safe cycling
• 2% wanted improved lighting
• 5% requested provision of cycle parking and storage
• 30% provided other comments (Dangerous due to antisocial behaviour, fly tipping, vegetation overgrowing path, route requires too many road crossings to be safe, improve Burnt Oak Station)

We did

We will consider widening paths and upgrading surfaces, particularly along the sections near the train tracks and hospital. As well as reviewing existing fence line on hospital side and better accessibility for users.

We will consider alternative routes to reduce congestion and improve cyclist and pedestrian safety. Or provide infrastructure that provides protection for all users.

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We asked

We asked what you thought about the section of the Barnet Loop between Brent Street / A502 and Goldsmiths Avenue.

You said

There were 40 comments on the Hendon section of the Barnet Loop.

• 33% wanted wider footways and space for cycling
• 2% wanted more frequent signage for wayfinding
• 12% wanted safer ways for pedestrians and cyclists to crossroads
• 7% wanted lower traffic speeds and volumes
• 5% wanted fewer parked cars and obstructions to enable safe cycling (particularly on Shirehall Park and Fairfield Avenue)
• 3% requested provision of cycle parking and storage
• 3% wanted improved lighting
• 35% provided other comments (maintaining parts of route as pedestrian-only, dangerous due to antisocial behaviour, connect to other transport hubs like Brent Cross and Brent Cross West, concerns over disturbing wildlife, connect to other destinations)

We did

We will consider introducing parking restrictions where appropriate. We may also change the current parking layout depending on parking data.

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We asked

We asked what you thought about the section of the Barnet Loop between Dollis Road / B1462 and Brent Street / A502.

You said

There were 60 comments on the Dollis Valley South and Capital Ring section of the Barnet Loop.

• 43% wanted wider footways and space for cycling
• 13% wanted safer ways for pedestrians and cyclists to crossroads
• 5% wanted lower traffic speeds and volumes
• 2% wanted fewer parked cars and obstructions to enable safe cycling
• 2% wanted improved lighting
• 35% provided other comments (concerns over shared-use paths in parks, concerns over disturbing wildlife, fly tipping along route)

We did

Lighting improvements and surface upgrades will be considered to enhance safety, as well as consideration of wider shared-use paths where appropriate.

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We asked

We asked what you thought about the section of the Barnet Loop between Alan Drive and Dollis Road / B1462.

You said

There were 120 comments on the Dollis Valley North and Barnet Playing Fields section of the Barnet Loop.

• 28% wanted wider footways and space for cycling
• 6% wanted more frequent signage for wayfinding
• 19% wanted safer ways for pedestrians and cyclists to crossroads
• 9% wanted lower traffic speeds and volumes
• 9% wanted fewer parked cars and obstructions to enable safe cycling
• 2% requested provision of cycle parking and storage
• 1% wanted improved lighting
• 26% provided other comments (concerns over disturbing wildlife, connect other destinations, concerns over shared-use paths in parks, vegetation overgrowing path, surfaces not suitable for cycling, fly tipping along route)

We did

We will investigate resurfacing the paths and cut back overgrown vegetation as part of on-going maintenance of the scheme.

We will explore options for clearer segregation between pedestrians and cyclists on shared paths where possible. Byelaws and restrictions will be reviewed.

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We asked

We asked what you thought about the section of the Barnet Loop between Barnet Way / A1 and Alan Drive.

You said

There were 44 comments on the London Loop section of the Barnet Loop.

• 40% wanted wider footways and space for cycling
• 8% wanted more frequent signage for wayfinding
• 8% wanted safer ways for pedestrians and cyclists to crossroads
• 2% wanted lower traffic speeds and volumes (particularly on Hendon Wood Lane)
• 2% wanted fewer parked cars and obstructions to enable safe cycling
• 40% provided other comments (surface unsuitable for cycling particularly along A1, suggest alternative route, concerns over shared-use paths)

We did

We will assess the feasibility of resurfacing the paths along the A1 and explore options for different alignments

We will investigate widening the footway and consider alternative measures to segregate cyclists and pedestrians

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We asked

We asked what you thought about the section of the Barnet Loop between Station Road and Penhurst Gardens Roundabout to Barnet Way/A1.

You said

There were 36 comments on the Edgware section of the Barnet Loop.

• 31% wanted wider footways and space for cycling
• 22% wanted more frequent signage for wayfinding
• 17% wanted safer ways for pedestrians and cyclists to crossroads (particularly pertaining to Penshurt Gardens)
• 5% wanted lower traffic speeds and volumes
• 5% wanted fewer parked cars and obstructions to enable safe cycling (particularly pertaining to Penshurt Gardens and near Edgware Station)
• 3% wanted improved lighting
• 3% requested provision of cycle parking and storage (particularly near Edgware Station)
• 14% provided other comments (antisocial behaviour in park, underpass for M1 not pleasant for pedestrians or cyclists)

We did

We will redesign the junctions at Penshurst Gardens and Hale Lane to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians. We will also add signs to highlight cyclist priority where needed.

We will investigate the removal or redesign of barriers along the Penshurst Gardens path to improve accessibility for all users.

Cycle parking facilities will be added or enhanced near Edgware Station to encourage sustainable travel.

Parking at Edgware Station will be reviewed as part of the next phase of the design.

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We Asked

We consulted families in receipt of a short breaks allocation on the proposed change to the way short breaks are paid for. This change entailed offering all eligible families pre-paid cards to purchase short breaks for their children and ending access to commissioned services through an hourly allowance.

You Said

In consulting, we sought to understand parents and families’ thoughts and concerns on the proposal. The consultation consisted of a questionnaire and a number of focus groups. total of 139 questionnaires were completed. All responses were from parent carers. Additionally, two focus groups were held, with parent carers and providers. These had a total attendance of 17 parent carers.

Families were also invited to share their thoughts directly through contacting Family Services. Key findings from the questionnaire included:

· 41% of respondents agreed with the proposal

· 31% of respondents disagreed with the proposal

· 28% of respondents stated that they were either unsure, or neither agreed nor disagreed

Questions and concerns were also raised regarding the impact that the change would have on the number of hours that families could access via a financial allocation on a pre-paid card. The full consultation report, detailing the findings can be found here.

We Did

The above findings informed the considerations and mitigations within the report presented to Cabinet and supported in the decision made.

On 18th November 2024, Cabinet made the decision that from 1 April 2025, all families eligible for short breaks will be offered an allocation via a pre-paid card. The Cabinet decision was made on the basis of this being the most equitable option for our families, and on support being made available to families through the change.

We will no longer be offering 90 hours/ 15 days with approved providers. This means that the hour-based allowance system with approved providers will no longer be available. Support will be made available to any families who require it, throughout the process of transitioning to pre-paid cards.

Read more about the Cabinet decision.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposed Adult Social Care Fees and Charges.
These proposals include the introduction of charges, or an increase in charge, to the following areas:

• A yearly fee for appointeeship services for residents with savings over £3,000.
• A weekly fee for assistive technology services for all residents using these services.
• Cost recovery for arranging care for people above the capital/savings threshold: A yearly £2,000 fee for residents who have their care arranged by council and pay for it themselves.
• Increasing the weekly fee for respite care services to £250.

You said

We received 279 responses across all 4 consultations. This included 9 paper copy responses:

Proposal 1 – Appointeeship

• 13% (3) agreed with the proposal
• 57% (13) disagreed with the proposal
• A further 13% (3) disagreed with the proposal and offered an alternative suggestion. Alternative suggestions included:

1. Implementing a one-off fee
2. A financial assessment and means tested approach to billing.

Proposal 2 – Assistive Technology

• 33% (12) selected £5
• 6% (2) selected £10
• 61% (22) selected ‘Other’ and provided feedback such as:
  1. £0 (the majority response from 16 respondents, 73%)
  2. £2.50
  3. £3
  4. A monthly £10 fee
  5. Miscellaneous

• Although more respondents stated that they considered a zero charge to be reasonable, there was some support for introducing the lowest weekly charge proposed of £5 a week.

Proposal 3 – Cost recovery for arranging and administering care for people above the capital/savings threshold

• 54% (30 respondents) disagreed with the charge
• 21% (12 respondents) disagreed with how high the increase in fee was, citing the £300 one off bill to £2000 annual charge.
• 7% (4 respondents) suggested an alternative lower charge and/or method of charging.
• 7% (4 respondents) did not object to the annual fee
• 11% (6 respondents) provided ‘other’ feedback such as:

1. Complaints around the current billing system
2. Will seek alternative arrangements of care

Proposal 4 – Respite

• 92% (12 respondents) commented that the increase was too high.
• 8% (1 respondent) commented that the increase was fair.

We did

Based on results of the consultation and alternative options considered by the council, the council have decided to implement three of the proposals in full:

• Appointeeship
• Assistive technology
• Respite care

With regards to the fourth proposal, the council have decided to reduce the annual charges to £1,851 in relation to cost recovery for arranging and administering care for people above the capital/ savings threshold of £23,250.

The Adult Social Care fees and charges were authorised under the delegated authority of the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economy and Effective Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the live ‘School Street’ which is a controlled pedestrian and cycling zone during school pick up and drop off hours on the following roads:

• Bethune Avenue/Crescent Road (between The Ridgeway and The Crescent)
• Hemington Avenue.

The proposed times are 8.00-9.00am and 2.45-3.45pm, Monday to Friday, term time only.

You said

We received 77 responses to this engagement. This included 28 pupil responses, 31 through Engage Barnet responses and 18 responses via email:

• 24.68% of respondents were supportive of the measures
• 57.14% of respondents were opposed to the measures
• 18.18% of respondents neither support nor opposed.

Only adult responses were analysed in terms of themes. This showed:

• 61.3% of respondents were just highlighting their opposition to the scheme.
• 16.1% of respondents were happy with the school street.
• 6.5% of respondents stated it pushes congestion and traffic onto neighbouring roads.
• 6.5% stated they wanted the School Street extending.
• 3.2% of respondents stated it impacted parking in the surrounding area.

We did

Based on results from the engagement and reviewing traffic counts and parking stress Officers have decided to retain the School Street and make it permanent.

Traffic count data on Bethune Avenue/Crescent Road at pre and post School Street showed that traffic volumes at morning and evening restrictions reduced by about 75% and 80% respectively. Traffic on Ridgeway reduced by 70% both westbound and eastbound during the school street operation time. This shows that the scheme has reduced rat running along neighbouring roads.

Parking Survey undertaken before and after the installation of School Street on Hemington Avenue and Bethune Avenue / Crescent Road showed that both roads had about 15 - 20% reduction of cars parked during the School Street operation time (8-9am and 2.45– 3.45pm).

Parking has increased on Glenthorne Road (by 10-15%), The Ridgeway (by 20%) and The Crescent (between 65-310%) however there are still parking space available on each of these roads during School Street operation times.