Decision details

Purpose of report: The Water End cycle scheme was substantially complete and implemented in April 2009. The original EMAP report advised that there would be impacts on traffic flows and delay. This report provides an evaluation of the scheme considering cycle flows, traffic data, alterations to traffic signals and modelling assessments. It also takes into account a previous decision to consider the impacts of a potential closure of Westminster Road.

Members are asked to: The Executive Member will be asked to note the outcomes of the scheme and approve the recommendations.

RESOLVED:            That the Executive Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)                Note the success of the scheme in achieving its main objective of delivering increased levels of cycling

ii)               Note that a road closure in the Westminster Road area would generate increases in traffic queues, and delay, at the Clifton Green junction and would potentially significantly impact on the operation of the junction and other parts of the network

iii)              Instruct officers to give further consideration to altering the signal timings during the AM peak and weekend operation

iv)              Instruct officers to give further consideration to linking the crossing points to optimise traffic flow heading towards the Clifton Green junction.

v)      Note the recommendations of the Scrutiny CCfA review to the Executive on 6 July and

·                    Suggests to the individual members of the Scrutiny Committee that, in light of officer concerns about the limited options available to them, they should make it clear precisely what changes they would expect to see covered by their recommendation for “new, comprehensive proposals for the Water End junctions to improve the current junction and reduce greatly traffic flows in Westminster Road/The Avenue”? and

·                    Endorses the following scrutiny recommendations:

a.      That the Council should, in future, use traffic models which incorporate side streets when assessing and designing junction improvements

b.      That the present policy of reviewing new highway schemes only after a period of twelve months should be modified to enable a review after three months when unforeseen consequences have arisen and when Ward Members request it.

REASON:To retain the benefits of the cycle scheme without causing additional delay to the network and to alter the signal timings in order to improve traffic flow travelling towards and through the junction, which is intended to reduce the amount of traffic diverting through Westminster Road and The Avenue.