Agenda item

The Director of Development Services submitted a report on his investigation into a petition referred to the Assembly by the Cabinet Highways Committee, containing 136 signatures requesting traffic calming measures on Hillfoot Road, Totley.

10.1

DECISION TAKEN

RESOLVED: That:

(a)

the petitioners be thanked for bringing their concerns to the attention of the Council;

(b)

the Director of Development Services be requested to give consideration to the potential use, in accordance with Council policy, of mirrors on Hillfoot Road, measures to address car parking issues which impact on the visibility issues being experienced on the Road, and concealed entrance signage; and

(c)

in the event that none of the above suggestions are feasible, no further action be taken and the petitioner’s request for the provision of traffic calming measures be declined.

10.2

Reasons for the Decision 

10.2.1  A traffic calming scheme may have the effect of reducing vehicle speeds by degree but it would be of no direct assistance to pedestrians crossing Hillfoot Road at the Butts Hill junction. Overall the risks of vehicle/pedestrian collision are judged to be low.  Average vehicle speed is 21 mph and the narrow road width and the bends have the effect on suppressing the use of inappropriate speeds.  Although visibility is restricted near the Butts Hill junction opportunities for pedestrians, to cross Hillfoot Road, in reasonable safety, are plentiful and frequent because overall traffic volumes are low.  In addition almost all students attending Totley All Saints School have adult accompaniment on the school journey and this is a significant factor in the safety of primary school children.  An additional safety factor is that the major crossing movement is covered by a school crossing patrol warden.   Hillfoot Road is a relatively narrow road and this, in turn, has an effect on reducing risk as pedestrians are spending little time in the live carriageway when crossing the road.  Numbers of pedestrians crossing near the school entrance is relatively low.

10.2.2  Taking everything into account the road safety risks in relation to this location are judged to be low.  A traffic calming scheme is feasible but such measures will have little effect on actual vehicle speeds.  Traffic calming measures will be of no direct assistance to pedestrians crossing Hillfoot Road and such a scheme will not alleviate any of the visibility issues outside the school gate.

10.2.3  Regrettably, smaller scale opportunities, for significant road safety improvements, are not available.  Provision of a pedestrian build out is not feasible at the mouth of a junction.

10.2.4  However, Members of the Assembly believed that other measures could be explored to improve road safety, including the use of mirrors and addressing the car parking problems, and asked officers to consider these.

10.3

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.3.1 A traffic calming scheme for Hillfoot Road is feasible but the appropriateness and effectiveness of such a scheme, on a road characterised by low speeds and low traffic volumes, is questionable.  A traffic calming scheme will have no risk reducing effect for the many pedestrians crossing at the south end of Hillfoot Road as no feature could be provided so close to the junction and, in any case, southbound drivers are slowing near the give way lines.  Whatever effect traffic calming would have on vehicle speeds, provision of speed humps and cushions will be of no direct help to any pedestrian crossing the road.

10.3.2 A more precise estimate of costs of such a scheme would follow the detailed design phase.   An initial estimate may be in excess of sixty thousand pounds.

10.3.3 Doing nothing is an option.  The situation will remain as it is.

10.3.4 A school entrance scheme (e.g. build out or refuge) is not feasible for a location directly opposite a junction (Butts Hill).  Absence of a footway, on the eastern side of Hillfoot Road, compounds the feasibility issue. 

10.3.5 Hillfoot Road would not meet the criteria for provision of a speed camera.

10.3.6 The Hillfoot Road/Butts Hill junction would not meet the criteria for provision of a School Crossing Patrol Warden in terms of pedestrian and vehicle numbers.  In addition there would be safety concerns related to a Warden operating within the mouth of a junction.  At this location there is no footway on the eastern side of Hillfoot Road.  The footway width on Butts Hill is minimal

10.3.7 The Community Assembly could elect to deploy a Speed Indication Device but there would be doubts as to the effectiveness of such a measure at a location with low speeds and low volumes of traffic where a great many of the road users will be familiar with the location. 

10.3.8Appropriate warning signage, indicating children crossing, is in place.  Both of these signs are supplemented with a SLOW road marking highlighted by a red surface treatment.   Additions to the signage are unlikely to induce changes in driver behaviour.  This is especially the case on a road where generally speeds are low and most drivers are familiar with the layout.  No configuration of signage will improve the range of visibility for road users.

10.4

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None.