Agenda item

9.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report on objections to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order associated with the East Bank Road Zebra Crossing Scheme for the East Community Assembly.

9.2

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)

overrules the objections to the waiting restrictions in the interests of road safety and the Traffic Regulation Order be made in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

(b)

approves the construction of the scheme, as shown in Appendix C of the report;

(c)

requests that officers liaise with the residents association from Hurlfield Court about measures to prevent displaced parking on this private road; and

(d)

requests that the objectors be informed accordingly.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

There have been four injury accidents in the last five years in this location all involving school age pedestrians. Therefore, the road safety advantages of installing these measures outweighed the concerns of local residents.

9.3.2

The Traffic Regulation Order for this scheme to provide waiting restrictions was considered a necessary part of the scheme. The East Community Assembly had considered the objections to the waiting restrictions and had decided that the advantages of the scheme outweighed any possible disadvantages to the objectors.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Moving the Zebra Crossing was considered following comments from residents but there were safety concerns raised about drivers turning left from Hurlfield Road to East Bank Road who would be too close to the crossing to achieve adequate forward visibility which may result in a collision with a pedestrian on the crossing.

9.4.2

Reducing the length of waiting restrictions and allowing further (off carriageway) parking than that shown in Appendix C of the report was considered following residents comments. However, this would reduce visibility to below an acceptable level for that of a Zebra Crossing.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

9.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report on objections to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order associated with the East Bank Road Zebra Crossing Scheme for the East Community Assembly.

9.2

Additional representations received following the circulation of the report were circulated from a local resident outlining an objection to the scheme.

9.3

Pam Jessinger, representing the Hurlfield Court Residents Association, attended the meeting to make representations on behalf of the Association. She commented that she didn’t believe children would use the crossing as expected. She was particularly concerned, however, that, as a result of the proposals people would park on her drive and the drives of the other residents of Hurlfield Court and asked if any measures could be introduced to prevent this.

9.4

In response, the Head of Transport, Traffic and Parking Services commented that it may be possible to introduce measures to prevent people parking on residents drives and discussions could be held with residents as to the most appropriate measures which could be introduced.

9.5

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)

overrules the objections to the waiting restrictions in the interests of road safety and the Traffic Regulation Order be made in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

(b)

approves the construction of the scheme, as shown in Appendix C of the report;

(c)

requests that officers liaise with the residents association from Hurlfield Court about measures to prevent displaced parking on this private road; and

(d)

requests that the objectors be informed accordingly.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

There have been four injury accidents in the last five years in this location all involving school age pedestrians. Therefore, the road safety advantages of installing these measures outweighed the concerns of local residents.

9.3.2

The Traffic Regulation Order for this scheme to provide waiting restrictions was considered a necessary part of the scheme. The East Community Assembly had considered the objections to the waiting restrictions and had decided that the advantages of the scheme outweighed any possible disadvantages to the objectors.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Moving the Zebra Crossing was considered following comments from residents but there were safety concerns raised about drivers turning left from Hurlfield Road to East Bank Road who would be too close to the crossing to achieve adequate forward visibility which may result in a collision with a pedestrian on the crossing.

9.4.2

Reducing the length of waiting restrictions and allowing further (off carriageway) parking than that shown in Appendix C of the report was considered following residents comments. However, this would reduce visibility to below an acceptable level for that of a Zebra Crossing.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing