CONSULTATION documents put out by Harrow Council will now carry the pros AND cons of proposed developments - after a long drawn out saga over traffic measures in Harrow on the Hill.
The council's traffic and highways department came under pressure from residents and MP for Harrow West, Gareth Thomas, after complaints about the level of consultation regarding a traffic scheme introduced in the area last year.
Speed humps and a 20mph zone were implemented despite the fire brigade, police, and bus operators voicing concerns about it.
Documents sent out to residents ignored the emergency services concerns that the measures could effect response times, and a complaint was lodged to the ombudsman by resident David Rudnick.
Although in a letter to the Ombudsman, the council's traffic & highway network manager, Dennis Thompson, admitted the emergency services had not been pleased about the idea - the watchdog failed to find any signs of maladministration.
However, following more pressure from MP Gareth Thomas, Mr Thompson has now issued a letter to the politician admitting changes will now be made to how consultation is carried out.
In the letter, he wrote: "It was confirmed that as a result of the lessons learned (from the complaints made about consultation on the Harrow on the Hill scheme) we would include the pros and cons of traffic calming features in future public consultation documents.
"This was actioned and has been included in subsequent consultation documents for relevant schemes. This was done by clearly listing the benefits and disbenefits (sic) - examples of disbenefits (sic) being potential discomfort to occupants of vehicles.
Although Mr Rudnick is pleased that some success has come of his complaint he is still angry at what he believes was a completely biased consultation.
He said: "Although this may prove to be beneficial in the long run the council has only made these changes because they are safe to so now without jeopardising the scheme, because it has already been completed.
"Presumably the need to put the disadvantages of proposals into a consultation document have never been required before, which beggars belief really.
"I still feel as though the ombudsman has let us down and of course the parliamentary standards committee for local government have still said they will look into the case if they look to review the way local government ombudsman operate."
