Agenda item

4.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report outlining the objections received to proposals for a zebra crossing on Bellhouse Road near Beck Road. The report also sought a decision on how the scheme should be progressed in light of the objections.

4.2

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the zebra is built at the location planned;

(b)

the bus stop is re-located as in the plan, attached to the report, having considered the issues that were raised in the objections; and

(c)

the objectors are informed of the decision taken.

4.3

Reasons for Decision

4.3.1

The zebra in the proposed location best serves the main pedestrian desire line

4.3.2

The bus stop has been re-sited to the best location to avoid safety issues at the junction and minimise loss of utilised parking space.

4.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

4.4.1

Doing nothing has been considered, that is not implementing the proposed zebra crossing. This would mean that conditions for pedestrians crossing Bellhouse Road would remain unimproved. Also recruitment and retention of School Crossing Wardens is difficult. If the current warden left and the position was not filled then the pedestrian desire line would be left unprotected at all times.

4.4.2

Re-siting the bus stop. The stop location proposed is far enough away from the junction with Bellhouse Road to not cause any safety issues at the junction.  Site visits have also shown that the location proposed is rarely used to park vehicles due to the steep verge, therefore it minimises loss of utilised resident parking spaces.

4.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

4.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

4.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place

4.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

4.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report outlining the objections received to proposals for a zebra crossing on Bellhouse Road near Beck Road. The report also sought a decision on how the scheme should be progressed in light of the objections.

4.2

Mr Hardy, a local resident, attended the Session to make representations to the Cabinet Member. He acknowledged that traffic calming measures were needed in the area but did not approve with the proposal to move the bus stop. This would create a blind spot and would mean that Mr Hardy would be blocked in on his drive. There had been a serious accident nearby where similar circumstances to what was proposed had occurred.

4.3

Mr Hardy added that the particular stretch of Beck Road referred to was dangerous due to speeding vehicles and needed speed humps to control this. The bus stop would inevitably lead to people congregating at the location which may lead to anti-social behaviour outside Mr Hardy’s house. There was already a problem with the availability of car parking on Beck Road and this proposal would take more parking spots up.

4.4

Mr Hardy was aware that his neighbours shared his concerns and had not received a reply from the Council when they had submitted these. Mr Hardy believed there was no reason to move the bus shelter and there was already a crossing further down Bellhouse Road. Money would be wasted if the scheme went ahead and what was needed was a pelican crossing to break traffic up.

4.5

Observations had indicated that more people crossed at school times with the warden but this was not true at other times. The warden would move to the new zebra crossing.

4.6

Mr Botterill accepted that speeding vehicles on Beck Road was an issue. The Council had introduced partial traffic calming measures there and a 20mph limit but he accepted that not everyone would abide by this.

4.7

Buses would only stop at the bus stop very infrequently so this didn’t present an issue in itself. However, Mr Botterill acknowledged that there was a parking issue in the area. Despite this, an officer had been out to visit the location on a number of occasions and observed that not many people parked at the proposed new bus stop location probably due to the high verge. There was no bus shelter or seating proposed at the bus stop so it was unlikely to attract anti-social behaviour.

4.8

Mr Hardy responded that he believed that the proposals would make blind spots worse. He believed that the problems of parking were worse on Thursday and Friday nights and it was unlikely that the officer had visited the area at these times.

4.9

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, commented that an officer had visited the area to look at the circumstances so was aware of the issues. Buses would be very infrequent. Councillor Iqbal had seen similar situations in his Ward with no reported accidents. Vehicles would have to enter the main road regardless of the bus stop.

4.10

Councillor Iqbal was minded to approve the recommendations. He did not believe that officers would propose a scheme that would threaten safety in the area. A road safety audit had been undertaken by an independent road safety auditor which had confirmed this.

4.11

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the zebra crossing is built at the location planned on Bellhouse Road;

(b)

the bus stop is re-located as in the plan, attached to the report, having considered the issues that were raised in the objections; and

(c)

the objectors be informed of the decision taken.

4.12

Reasons for Decision

4.12.1

The zebra crossing in the proposed location best serves the main pedestrian desire line.

4.12.2

The bus stop has been re-sited to the best location to avoid safety issues at the junction and minimise loss of utilised parking space.

4.13

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

4.13.1

Doing nothing has been considered, that is not implementing the proposed zebra crossing. This would mean that conditions for pedestrians crossing Bellhouse Road would remain unimproved. Also recruitment and retention of School Crossing Wardens is difficult. If the current warden left and the position was not filled then the pedestrian desire line would be left unprotected at all times.

4.13.2

Re-siting the bus stop. The stop location proposed is far enough away from the junction with Bellhouse Road to not cause any safety issues at the junction.  Site visits have also shown that the location proposed is rarely used to park vehicles due to the steep verge, therefore it minimises loss of utilised resident parking spaces.