Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

To consider the above petition, bearing 77 e-signatures. Councillor P Male, a Woodlands Ward Councillor and the petition organiser has been invited to the meeting for consideration of this item

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that responded to a petition, submitted by Woodlands Ward Councillor Male, that requested traffic calming measures, including vehicle activated signs (VAS), on Broad Lane between Banner Lane and Coventry Road. As the Petition Organiser, Councillor Male, had been invited to attend the meeting for consideration of this matter but was unable to do so. Councillor Lepoidevin attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the petitioners.

The petition, bearing 77 e-signatures, read:

‘We the undersigned call upon Coventry City Council to consider traffic calming measures on Broad Lane, between Banner Lane and Coventry Road, including Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS). Following the recent installation of temporary VAS on Alderminster Rd, Mount Nod, I am calling upon Coventry City Council to consider their use on Broad Lane, particularly, between Banner Lane and Coventry Road. As a result of recent Speed Watch initiatives, supported by our local residents, ward Councillors and our Community Police Team, it is clear that speeding is a significant problem on this particular stretch of road’.

In accordance with the City Council's procedure for dealing with petitions, those relating to road safety were heard by the Cabinet Member for City Services.  The Cabinet Member had considered the petition prior to this meeting and in response to the request made, requested that the petition was dealt with by letter (determination letter), rather than a formal report being submitted to a meeting, to be able to deal with the matter more efficiently.

The determination letter advised of the investigations undertaken and the approved action in response to the issues raised. On receipt of the determination letter, that provided an option to request a Cabinet Member report to be considered at a Cabinet Member meeting if so wished, Councillor Male advised that he did not wish the petition to be progressed by letter and wanted the issue to be considered through a report at a Cabinet Member for City Services meeting. An Appendix to the report provided a site plan of the location and a further Appendix to the report provided a copy of the determination letter.

The report indicated that the approved action was that the location would continue to be monitored as part of the annual citywide personal recorded injury collision study and, in addition to local safety scheme works, the Traffic Management Team were investigating the possibility of trialling some alternative forms of rumble strips. Once a suitable feature of this type was identified, it was proposed that this section of Broad Lane became one of the trial locations. 

Councillor Lepoidevin outlined the concerns raised by the petition confirming the significant problem with speeding vehicles and the many speed watches undertaken in the area, that highlighted the issue. Acknowledging the criteria for prioritising areas for further action, she expressed her concern that actual traffic accidents did not give an accurate picture of the situation which she felt was far greater than recorded. She confirmed that the speed watches had resulted in letters being sent by the Police to offending drivers, but that further action was needed to address the problem. Councillor Lepoidevin indicated that she and Councillor Male were supportive of the proposal to install an alternative to rumble strips on this section of Broad Lane, as a trial location, however the installation of VAS should also be considered.

Having considered the report and the comments made by Councillor Lepoidevin and the Traffic Management Officers, the Cabinet Member agreed that the location would continue to be monitored as part of the annual citywide personal recorded injury collision study and investigations would continue for the possibility of trialling alternative forms of rumble strips which would be implemented on this section of Broad Lane as a trial location. In addition, the location would be added to the Mobile VAS Programme.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1) Notes the petitioners’ concerns.

2)  Endorses that the actions confirmed by determination letter to the petition spokesperson, as detailed in paragraphs 1.5 to 1.7 of the report, are undertaken.

3)  Add this location to the Mobile Vehicle Activated Sign Programme.