Agenda item

06.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report describing the response from residents to the proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit in Stannington, Gleadless Valley and the area around Sheffield Park Academy.

6.2

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the Stannington, Gleadless Valley and Sheffield Park Academy area 20mph Speed Limit Orders be made in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

(b)

the objectors be informed accordingly;

(c)

the proposed 20mph speed limits be introduced;

(d)

an advisory part-time 20mph speed limit on parts of Stannington Road as shown in Appendix C of the report be introduced; and

(e)

a further 20 mph Speed Limit Order be promoted for the remainder of Roscoe Bank. 

6.3

Reasons for Decision

6.3.1

Reducing the speed of traffic in residential areas will, in the long term, reduce the number and severity of accidents, reduce the fear of accidents, encourage sustainable modes of travel and contribute towards the creation of a more pleasant, cohesive environment.

6.3.2

Having considered the objections to the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Stannington, and Gleadless Valley the officer view is that the reasons set out in this report for making the Speed Limit Order outweigh the objections.  The introduction of a 20mph speed limit in these areas would be in-keeping with the City’s approved 20mph Speed Limit Strategy.

6.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

6.4.1

In the case of Stannington Road consideration has been given to two alternative options to that recommended in this report. The first, to introduce a 20mph limit along the full length of Stannington Road as advertised has been discussed in paragraph 4.8 of the report.  The introduction of a mandatory part-time 20mph speed limit in the area around the entrance to Stannington infant school has also been explored and discounted to the disproportionately high cost involved in providing the correct variable message signing required to render the limit legally enforceable.

6.4.2

The other objections relate to the principle of introducing sign-only 20mph speed limits into residential areas, and therefore the approved Sheffield 20mph Speed Limit Strategy. As such, no alternative options have been considered. Speeds will be monitored and the addition of further measures will be considered if appropriate, as outlined in paragraph 4.14 of the report.

6.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

6.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

6.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place

6.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

4.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report describing the response from residents to the proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit in Stannington, Gleadless Valley and the area around Sheffield Park Academy and outlining the Council’s response.

4.2

Alan Barnett attended the Session to make representations to the Cabinet Member. He commented that the 15 properties on Roscoe Bank and 17 properties on Long Lane which had not been included in the proposals for a 20mph limit should be included as the roads were similar to those included in the proposed scheme.

4.3

He further stated that there was no bus service on Rivelin Valley Road so people often had to walk to the bus stop on Liberty Hill. Schoolchildren also walked on those roads and it could be very busy with pedestrians at times.

4.4

There was an average of 7-8 cars a minute which used Liberty Hill, Long Lane and Roscoe Bank at peak times and because of parked vehicles it was often like one way roads at times. During recent Streets Ahead works on Bingley Lane, people used Roscoe Bank as a diversion and the number of vehicles using the road increased to around 10-15 cars a minute.

4.5

Mr Barnett had long standing concerns over the speed of vehicles on the roads not included in the proposals for a 20mph limit. A speed survey had been undertaken but this was in the first week of July when local schoolchildren were on holiday and the traffic was a fraction of what it usually was.

4.6

More houses were being built in the area and Mr Barnett believed the problem would only get worse. He suggested that it would not be difficult to include Roscoe Bank in the current proposals and would actually be cheaper if it could be included in this scheme rather than further down the line. He concluded that Roscoe Bank should be included in the proposals for a 20mph limit as it was only 400m from the urban area and speeding was a major problem. If Tofts Lane could also be included this would save money on signage.

4.7

Matt Turner attended the Session to make representations on behalf of Cycle Sheffield. He stated that one of the outcomes from the recent Cycling Inquiry undertaken by the Council was the aim to introduce two way cycling on one way streets. In May 2015 Cycle Sheffield had examined all the 20mph areas in the City to identify areas which were one way and this evidence was available. He was disappointed therefore that the proposals did not include the option for cyclists of two way on one way streets.

4.8

In response Simon Botterill, Team Manager, Scheme Design, commented that he wasn’t aware of the request for two way exemptions for cyclists on one way roads when developing the design briefs for the scheme. He didn’t disagree with the principle but would always need to assess the safety implications on a case by case basis.

4.9

The Traffic Regulation Order had already been advertised so for the remainder of Roscoe Bank to be included there would have to be a new order. He was cautious of mixing up a country lane by including a 20mph scheme but would be agreeable should the Cabinet Member request this. If any complaints were received from the Police it was unlikely that Roscoe Bank would be able to be included but officers would have to see if the Police did lodge an objection.

4.10

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the Stannington, Gleadless Valley and Sheffield Park Academy area 20mph Speed Limit Orders be made in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

(b)

the objectors be informed accordingly;

(c)

the proposed 20mph speed limits be introduced;

(d)

an advisory part-time 20mph speed limit on parts of Stannington Road as shown in Appendix C of the report be introduced; and

(e)

a further 20 mph Speed Limit Order be promoted for the remainder of Roscoe Bank. 

4.11

Reasons for Decision

4.11.1

Reducing the speed of traffic in residential areas will, in the long term, reduce the number and severity of accidents, reduce the fear of accidents, encourage sustainable modes of travel and contribute towards the creation of a more pleasant, cohesive environment.

4.11.2

Having considered the objections to the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Stannington, and Gleadless Valley, the officer view is that the reasons set out in this report for making the Speed Limit Order outweigh the objections.  The introduction of a 20mph speed limit in these areas would be in-keeping with the City’s approved 20mph Speed Limit Strategy.

4.12

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

4.12.1

In the case of Stannington Road, consideration has been given to two alternative options to that recommended in this report. The first, to introduce a 20mph limit along the full length of Stannington Road as advertised, has been discussed in paragraph 4.8 of the report.  The introduction of a mandatory part-time 20mph speed limit in the area around the entrance to Stannington infant school has also been explored and discounted due to the disproportionately high cost involved in providing the correct variable message signing required to render the limit legally enforceable.

4.12.2

The other objections relate to the principle of introducing sign-only 20mph speed limits into residential areas, and therefore the approved Sheffield 20mph Speed Limit Strategy. As such, no alternative options have been considered. Speeds will be monitored and the addition of further measures will be considered if appropriate, as outlined in paragraph 4.14 of the report.