Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

To consider the above petition, bearing 41 signatures, which has been submitted by Councillor McNicholas, a Lower Stoke Ward Councillor, who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item along with  Councillor Brown, a Cheylesmore Ward Councillor and the petition organiser.

Note: Councillors Brown and McNicholas have requested a report

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in response to a petition, bearing 41 signatures, received from Councillor R Brown, a Cheylesmore Ward Councillor, and supported by Councillor J McNicholas, a Lower Stoke Ward Councillor, that read ‘This petition calls on Coventry City Council to consider traffic speed calming measures along Macaulay Road. Residents share increasing concern that this road is being used as a rat-run and is subject to a rising trend in speed violation that, left unchecked, could likely result in serious injury or worse.’ Councillors Brown and McNicholas attended the meeting for consideration of the matter and to speak on behalf of the petitioners.

In accordance with the City Council's procedure for dealing with petitions, those relating to highway maintenance were heard by the Cabinet Member for City Services. 

The report indicated that a determination letter had been sent to the Petition Organiser and Petition Sponsor that advised of the importance of targeting road safety measures in the city. To ensure funding was utilised carefully, personal injury collisions reported to the Police were used. Locations where there had been six or more recorded personal injury collisions in the previous three years were considered for inclusion in the safety schemes programme. A review of the collision data for Macaulay Road showed that one personal injury collision had been recorded in the last three years, therefore, Macaulay Road did not meet the safety scheme criteria.

A speed survey had also been undertaken in November 2019 that recorded mean weekday speeds of 21.2mph eastbound and 20.6mph westbound. A summary of the speed survey and traffic count, which had been located where the greatest volume of traffic was expected, was detailed in Appendix C to the report.

Based on the collision data and speed survey results outlined above, no further action was proposed. However, petitioners were advised of the Community Speed Watch initiative, a speed monitoring and awareness scheme that was co-ordinated by the Police and run by a group of local volunteers who used speed detection devices to monitor traffic and identify speeding drivers on a specific road or small area. Petitioners were also provided with the relevant contact details, should they wish to get involved in the scheme.

Councillor McNicholas and Councillor Brown spoke in support of the petitioners. They referred to the strength of feeling amongst residents in the area regarding the need to reduce vehicle speeds. They further referred to recent incidents and near misses that were of real concern. Following submission of the petition early in 2019, there had been changes in the area, particularly with the installation of traffic measures on Ansty Road and Binley Road, that had impacted on Macaulay Road and other roads nearby and meant that the traffic data used to assess vehicle speeds out of date. They referred to several roads in the area being used as rat runs to avoid the measures that had been put in place on other local roads for example, to avoid the road humps on Longfellow Road. There was particular concern about the speed of traffic around Ravensdale School, Ravensdale Road, and residents felt that there was a need for a 20mph speed limit at this location. Councillor McNicholas referred to the impact of traffic displacement, suggesting that this needed to be taken into consideration when traffic measures were implemented.

Councillor R Singh, a Lower Stoke Ward Councillor also attended the meeting for consideration of this matter and spoke in support of the petitioners and the matters raised by Councillor Brown and Councillor McNicholas.

Traffic Management Officers outlined the disadvantages of 20mph speed limits which required enforcement by the Police. The preferred option was to look at other traffic calming measures that were self-enforcing as these had been more successful. To ensure that the current traffic situation was considered, it was proposed that CCTV cameras be installed on Macaulay Road at its junctions with Morris Avenue, Hipswell Highway and McDonald Road to enable revised traffic data to be obtained. In addition, a vehicle activated sign would be installed for a period of 3 months. The revised traffic data would be reviewed, and the Petition Organiser, Petition Sponsor and Ward Councillors would be kept informed on the matter.

Having considered the report and the comments made by Councillors McNicholas and Brown and the Traffic Management Officer who presented the report, the Cabinet Member agreed to the proposals outlined by officers.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Notes the petitioner’s concerns.

2)  CCTV cameras be installed on Macaulay Road at its junctions with Morris Avenue, Hipswell Highway and McDonald Road to enable current traffic data to be obtained. In addition, a vehicle activated sign be installed for a period of 3 months.

3)   Subject to recommendation 2) above, the revised data be reviewed and the Petition Organiser, Petition Sponsor and Ward Councillors be kept informed on this matter.