Decision details

Gleadless Key Bus Route Scheme Update and Traffic Regulation Order Consultation

Decision Maker: Highway Cabinet Member Decision Session

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Decision:

5.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report describing the further measures to be introduced during 2014/15 along the Gleadless Key Bus Route corridor to accessibility and punctuality of services 20, 20A, 47, 48, 79 and 79A in the Gleadless area, building on the work which commenced in 2013. The report also set out officer’s responses to objections received to Traffic Regulation Orders with regard to proposed parking restrictions and bus lanes and general comments received with regard to the proposals.

 

 

5.2

RESOLVED: That:-

 

 

 

(a)

a further report be submitted to a future Highways Cabinet Member Decision Session on the scope and outcome of consultation on the junction arrangement at the location of Prospect Road and Myrtle Road;

 

 

 

 

(b)

in light of comments now made, ecological assessments and consultation be undertaken in respect of land adjacent to (i) Blackstock Road between Gleadless Road and Bankwood Road and (ii) Spencer Road and Prospect Road and that the findings be reported to a future Highways Cabinet Member Decision Session;

 

 

 

 

(c)

the Traffic Regulation Orders described in the report, , be made in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

 

 

 

 

(d)

detailed design be completed and the proposals described in the report be implemented subject to the Council’s Capital Approval procedures and the satisfactory outcome of further consultation following completion of the work referred toin paragraphs (a) and (b) above, to the satisfaction of the Highways Cabinet Member;

 

 

 

 

(e)

it be noted that full funding for the scheme had not yet been secured; and

 

 

 

 

(f)

the objectors be informed accordingly.

 

 

 

5.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

5.3.1

The proposals described in the report, supported by the Traffic Regulation Orders, will contribute to improvements in the punctuality and reliability of bus services in the Gleadless area together with accessibility improvements to/from bus stops and for passengers boarding and alighting buses. Having considered the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders it was recommended that the reasons set out in the report for making the Traffic Regulation Orders outweighed any unresolved objections.

 

 

5.3.2

The scoping and consultation on the proposed junction at Myrtle Road and Prospect Road is required to ascertain the best solution for the location which meets residents requirements

 

 

5.3.3

The ecological surveys and consultation are required in view of the loss of green space to accommodate the road widening.

 

 

5.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

5.4.1

Officers considered a number of options for each scheme. In the case of the Blackstock Road/Constable Road scheme, a zebra crossing was considered but was not progressed as the speed of traffic on Blackstock Road would have required the introduction of traffic calming on the approaches to the crossing and would have detrimentally affected the availability of on-street parking availability. The proposed central refuge was tested in various locations both in relation to the bus stops and with a view to minimising the negative impact on parking.

 

 

5.4.2

The Blackstock Road widening scheme was developed following a review of an earlier proposal to provide a minor bus-only facility at the junction of Gleadless Road. This was discounted as, without the additional length of bus lane now proposed, the limited time saving benefits for buses did not justify the scheme cost.

 

 

5.4.3

The Richards Road widening proposals were developed after consideration of a new parking lay-by on the opposite side of Richards Road to accommodate residents’ on-street parking requirements. The widening scheme now proposed accommodated parking along the frontage of the properties rather than on the opposite side of the carriageway and provided a slight increase in parking availability over the existing arrangement. The previous lay-by option would have resulted in a net loss of parking spaces.

 

 

5.4.4

With regard to the Spencer Road/Prospect Road/Myrtle Road proposals, although the scope and extent of the proposed bus lane had been determined, a number of different junction layouts were currently under consideration. Computer traffic modelling was being utilised to assess the arrangements and compare the outcomes with a simple ‘give-way’ layout, as currently exists. This latter arrangement may offer the most flexibility for all traffic throughout the day, with little negative impact on the calculated bus time-savings. In view of the ongoing assessments and the necessity to undertake further, localised, consultation when the optimum junction layout had been finalised, it was proposed to submit a further report on these proposals and the outcome of consultation in due course.

 

 

5.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

5.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

5.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place

 

 

5.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

 

Report author: Andrew Marwood

Publication date: 24/09/2014

Date of decision: 11/09/2014

Decided at meeting: 11/09/2014 - Highway Cabinet Member Decision Session

Effective from: 01/10/2014

Accompanying Documents: