Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transportation and Highways

Note: The objectors have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item

The Cabinet Member considered a report and received a presentation of the Director of Transportation and Highways concerning eight objections and one letter of support that had been received to a Traffic Regulation Order  advertised on 9^th September, 2021 for a Local Safety Scheme on Old Church Road, Gayer Street, Proffitt Avenue and Dudley Street. A location plan and a summary of the objections and the responses to the issued raised were set out in appendices to the report. All the objectors were invited to attend the meeting and a number attended and outlined their concerns to the measures proposed.

The report indicated that a Local Safety Scheme was proposed on Old Church Road, Gayer Street, Proffitt Avenue and Dudley Street to reduce vehicular speed and prevent personal injury collisions and make the areas safer for all road users. An examination of the personal injury collision rate in this area revealed a total of 11 collisions, and this included two serious injury collisions. The majority of causation factors were attributed to speeding vehicles. In addition, the 85th percentile speeds had been recorded at 43mph, and the speed limit was 30mph. Speeding vehicles on residential roads were dangerous for all road users and increased the likelihood of more serious injuries if collisions occurred.

In February 2021, residents were consulted on a possible Local Safety Scheme on the roads highlighted above. The proposed road safety measures included a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph; the installation of speed cushions; and the installation of raised junctions. Although the majority of respondents (65%) supported the proposed Local Safety Scheme, some residents did not support the proposed traffic calming measures and the speed limit reduction.

As part of the statutory procedure, the Traffic Regulation Order for the 20mph speed limit and the Notice of intent to install speed cushions were advertised in the local press and notices were posted on lamp columns in the area, which resulted in the eight objections being received.

The Cabinet Member was informed that it was recommended to install the scheme due to the road characteristics and the recorded vehicular speeds and number of personal injury collisions related to speed. Old Church Road, Gayer Street, Proffitt Avenue and Dudley Street comprised of a series of long straights, and this could increase the likelihood of excessive vehicular speeds, as drivers tended to look at where they were going and not what was immediately in front of them, often referred to as ‘tunnel vision’.  There was a high number of junctions, Schools, and houses which front the road, and all these factors increased the road safety risk when drivers travelled at inappropriate speeds. 

The objectors present raised a number of concerns in response to the proposals including whether the 85th percentile speeds recorded at 43mph were collected before or after the installation of speed cameras; the option of other measures that would be more suitable than speed cushions and raised junctions; and concerns about the potholes in the roads including the problems that this caused for both drivers and their vehicles. Several residents expressed concerns about speed cushions being located outside their properties and highlighted the issues that this would cause. Other issues raised included the problems caused by vehicles parking on the pavements, particularly at junctions; the difficulties caused by traffic at school drop off and pick up times; concerns about the consultation; concerns that the mitigation measures for Gayer Street and Dudley Street were unnecessary;  the issue that the location of a speed cushion outside a property could cause a devaluation in its market value and make the property difficult to sell; a perception that vehicle speeds could increase in between the traffic calming features; concerns about the state of the pavements; the option for more speed signs rather than the speed cushions; and that the traffic calming measures would mean a reduction in parking spaces. Support was highlighted for the decision to reduce the traffic speed to 20mph.

Residents were informed that it was possible to make the gradient on speed cushions and raised junctions less severe. However, for a safety scheme to be effective it was necessary to include traffic calming measures. The Cabinet Member informed that she would ask officers to investigate the state of the pavements and consider the introduction of double yellow lines at junctions.      

RESOLVED that, having considered the objections to the 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures:

1)  The implementation of the 20mph speed limit and installation of speed cushions and raised junctions (Old Church Road, Gayer Street, Proffitt Avenue and Dudley Street Local Safety Scheme) be approved.

2)  Officers be requested to liaise with a resident of Old Church Road regarding the height and gradient of the speed cushion to be installed on the road by her property.

3)  Officers be requested to investigate the state of the pavements in the Local Safety Scheme area.

4)  Officers be requested to investigate the issue of parking on the pavements at junctions in the Local Safety Scheme area which are creating visibility issues for drivers and consider the introduction of double yellow lines.