Agenda item

9.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report setting out the public response to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to legalise the ‘Prohibition of Motor Vehicles Except for Access’ signs which have been installed on Smithy Wood Crescent at its junctions with Chesterfield Road and Woodseats Road to prevent non–residential traffic using it as a through route.

9.2

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)

overrules the objection to the Traffic Regulation Order on Smithy Wood Crescent and the restriction be introduced as shown in the plan in Appendix A to the report;

(b)

approves the making of the Traffic Regulation Order in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984;  and

(c)

requests that the objector and other respondents are informed accordingly.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The Traffic Regulation Order for this scheme is necessary to enable enforcement of the restriction to be carried out with a view to resolving problems which have been raised by local residents.

9.3.2

Community Assembly members and officers have given due consideration to the views of the respondents in an attempt to find an acceptable solution. The recommendation is considered to be a balanced attempt to address residents concerns and aspirations.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

This scheme has been designed to meet local needs/priorities as identified by South Community Assembly members. The proposals put forward are considered to deliver the required outcomes to resolve the problems which have been brought to the attention of the Assembly.

9.4.2

One supporter suggested a ‘No Right Turn’ restriction on Chesterfield Road. This type of restriction is also enforced by the Police and no greater enforcement could be expected.

9.4.3

Other measures, such as traffic calming and junction closures, have been explored by the Community Assembly to prevent through traffic from using Smithy Wood Crescent, but these were beyond their budget.

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 setting out the public response to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to legalise the ‘Prohibition of Motor Vehicles Except for Access’ signs which had been installed on Smithy Wood Crescent at its junctions with Chesterfield Road and Woodseats Road to prevent non–residential traffic using it as a through route.

9.2

Mr Paul Briggs attended the meeting and stated that he was a resident of Smith Wood Crescent and had objected to the proposed TRO. He asked why the ‘Access Only’ sign was the only measure that was being considered. He referred to instances of HGVs damaging cars and that it was an extremely dangerous location at busy times. He considered that the proposal appeared to be a cheap option and financial constraints should not override safety. He considered that an ‘Access Only’ sign would not stop the problem and asked that the solution be reconsidered. He would support a no right turn.

9.3

Councillor Auckland also attended for this item and stated that he shared residents’ frustrations. He asked how soon the TRO would be implemented and that he expected enforcement action to be taken.

9.4

John Bann (Head of Transport, Traffic and Parking Services) indicated that the TRO would be implemented within a couple of weeks.

9.5

Councillor Leigh Bramall, Chair of the Committee, referred to a letter of support for the TRO that had been received from Karen Wallace.

9.6

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)

overrules the objection to the Traffic Regulation Order on Smithy Wood Crescent and the restriction be introduced as shown in the plan in Appendix A to the report;

(b)

approves the making of the Traffic Regulation Order in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984;  and

(c)

requests that the objector and other respondents are informed accordingly.

9.7

Reasons for Decision

9.7.1

The Traffic Regulation Order for this scheme is necessary to enable enforcement of the restriction to be carried out with a view to resolving problems which have been raised by local residents.

9.7.2

Community Assembly members and officers have given due consideration to the views of the respondents in an attempt to find an acceptable solution. The recommendation is considered to be a balanced attempt to address residents concerns and aspirations.

9.8

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.8.1

This scheme has been designed to meet local needs/priorities as identified by South Community Assembly members. The proposals put forward are considered to deliver the required outcomes to resolve the problems which have been brought to the attention of the Assembly.

9.8.2

One supporter suggested a ‘No Right Turn’ restriction on Chesterfield Road. This type of restriction is also enforced by the Police and no greater enforcement could be expected.

9.8.3

Other measures, such as traffic calming and junction closures, have been explored by the Community Assembly to prevent through traffic from using Smithy Wood Crescent, but these were beyond their budget.

9.9

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.10

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.11

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place.

9.12

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing.