Agenda item

This report brings to the attention of the Executive Member the key results of the vehicle surveys and questionnaire carried out in relation to the through traffic in the Westminster Road area, following the introduction of the Water End cycle scheme.

RESOLVED:                       That the Executive Member for City Strategy agrees:

i) To implement a 20mph zone for the area.

ii) To note the outcome of the traffic surveys and questionnaire and take no further action at this time on introducing a point closure.

iii) That the results of the survey be also considered  scheme.

iv)That the Police be requested to monitor the junctions in this area with a view to addressing any examples they may find of inappropriate driver behaviour.

REASON:                  As the lower speeds due to the traffic calming justify the introduction of a lower speed limit.

As the options of closing the area to through traffic does not have support from a significant proportion of the local community that would be affected by a closure.

As the options of investigating the use of chicanes and road narrowings are not well supported by local residents.

The Executive Member considered a report which brought to his attention the key results of the vehicle surveys and questionnaire carried out in relation to the through traffic in the Westminster Road area. The survey and questionnaire had been carried out following the introduction of the Water End Cycle Scheme.

He reported that the following additional representations and information had been included in the republished agenda:

·        comments of the four Member Task Group of the Economic and City Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee supporting closure of the road to through traffic

·        comments of 3 residents of Westminster Road

·        details of comparative traffic volumes for similar roads in the area and referred to additional correspondence received from Cllr Scott also in support of point closure and the reintroduction of the filter lane at Water End.

Officers confirmed that the speed limit proposals were unlikely to influence traffic levels but that the results of the surveys would be considered as part of any future evaluation of the Water End cycle scheme.

Representations in support of point closure of Westminster Road were received from a local resident. He referred to the detrimental impact of through traffic on the residential road since the nearby cycle scheme had been implemented. He confirmed that these issues had been raised with local Councillors, the Ward Committee and Officers. He stated that the increase in traffic was affecting residents well being and quality of life as the road was being used as a ‘rat run’ and that the only effective solution would be point closure.

Representations were also received from another Westminster Road resident who confirmed that he had spoken to the Task Group and that residents were looking for a lasting solution to the traffic problems in the area. He stated that residents had seen a 97% increase in through traffic since the changes at Water End which had resulted in a deterioration in their environment. He requested the Executive Member to support Option A for the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to close both Westminster Road and Greencliffe Drive as residents felt that this problem would only get worse.

Councillor King, as one of the Ward Members, referred to the points raised by Cllr Scott. He stated that following two very well attended public meetings the majority of local residents had requested closure of Westminster Road. He did however question the inclusion of Greencliffe Drive residents in the survey. He went onto state that a traffic flow survey before and after the works at the Water End junction would have been useful. He stated that the Executive Member had a duty to resolve these problems and he requested a point closure of the road.

Councillor Pierce, spoke as an individual member of the Task Group. He confirmed that he neither supported nor opposed the introduction of a 20mph speed limit as this limit would be self-enforcing. He pointed out that any point closure would have a knock on effect at the Water End junction and that he felt the only option was to increase the capacity of this junction.

The Executive Member confirmed that there was clearly a division of opinion on what if anything should be done to ease problems in the Westminster Road area. The questionnaire results did however indicate strong and widespread support for a 20mph speed limit. He stated that he had previously indicated that an examination of the Water End junction would be undertaken when the revised layout had been in operation for a suitable period of time and that Officers would be reporting back on this in Spring 2010. He went on to point out that the traffic volumes on Westminster Road were relatively low when compared to similar routes in the City.

Consideration was then given to the following options:

1. To begin processing a Traffic Regulation Order to close Westminster Road and Greencliffe Drive at their Water End junctions. Whilst this option was not recommended due to the lack of a significant majority of local residents in favour of such proposals, it should be noted that if this option was considered appropriate to proceed with then this would involve further consultation with all affected local residents on any firmed up proposal. Any subsequent objections to the proposals during the Traffic Regulation Process would have to be brought back to a future Decision Session for consideration before any action could be taken to close either road.
2. To carry out further investigations into the use of road narrowings and / or chicanes to discourage through traffic. This was not a recommended option as support from local residents for such measures was low.
3. To implement a 20mph zone for the area. This was a recommended option as there was general support demonstrated from the local residents and the reduced speeds brought about by existing traffic calming features justify lowering the speed limit – though it should be noted that this is unlikely to have a significant impact on the volume of through traffic.
4. To note the outcome of the traffic surveys and questionnaire and take no further action at this time. But, that the results be considered as part of any future evaluation of the Water End cycle scheme. This is a recommended option because these 2 matters are linked.

RESOLVED:      That the Executive Member for City Strategy agrees:

i) To implement a 20mph zone for the area.

ii) To note the outcome of the traffic surveys and questionnaire and take no further action at this time on introducing a point closure.

iii) That the results of the survey be also considered as part of any future evaluation of the Water End cycle scheme.

iv)That the Police be requested to monitor the junctions in this area with a view to addressing any examples they may find of inappropriate driver behaviour. ^1.

REASON: As the lower speeds due to the traffic calming justify the introduction of a lower speed limit.

As the options of closing the area to through traffic does not have support from a significant proportion of the local community that would be affected by a closure.

As the options of investigating the use of chicanes and road narrowings are not well supported by local residents.