Agenda item

Traffic Issues on Hamilton Drive

4.         Traffic issues on Hamilton Drive

What can be done to tackle the increase in traffic on Hamilton Drive?

Minutes:

4.         Louise Robinson, Transport Projects Engineer, Christine Packer, School Travel Plan Coordinator and Louise Haritakis, Our Lady Queen of English Martyrs explained the plans and actions being implemented to address the parking issues around Hamilton Drive.

4.1       There are plans to install bollards on Harlow Road to stop vehicles being parked on the grass verges.

4.2       The use of yellow lines is being investigated although this has a direct impact on residents, as they would no long be able to park outside their homes.

4.2       Partnership working between City of York Council and Our Lady Queen of English Martyrs hopes to increase use of cycles. The school is a Bike It school and will have additional cycle and scooter parking when the new development is complete.

4.3       A walking bus project is currently being looked into although it would depend on volunteers to run the scheme, as no staffing from the school would be available to facilitate the scheme.

4.4       The school is currently doing all it can to help elevate the issues, although some people are questioning the authority for the requests from teachers to park considerately and move vehicles.

4.5       A possible drop off/walking route has been suggested as York Road and then through West Bank Park, although in winter months parents are still more inclined to drop off nearer to the school.

4.6       The Park and Stride scheme, using the Railway Institute Car Park has had a low uptake. Due to the long drive way and additional time it takes to get children to the school, parents are still opting to drive directly to the school.

4.7       As the school has a large catchment area, currently covering a third of the city the only real option some parents have is to drive their children to school.

4.8       An application for a school crossing has now been approved. The recruitment process is currently underway to get someone in post. The service can not start without a staff member being appointed.

4.9       There has been an improvement within the first three weeks of term, bad weather hasn’t helped but it is hoped that behaviours will change in time and as the new arrangements are rolled out. This is not an isolated incident with many schools across the city facing similar problem.

 

Residents were given the opportunity to raise questions.

 

Q-        The extension of no waiting zones have worked in other areas could these be implemented?

A-   This would have a direct impact on residents, similar to yellow lines, so this isn’t the favoured option.

 

Q-        Would it be a worthwhile approach to educate in school about problems caused by travelling to school in cars? The pupils could then help tackle the change of their parents behaviour.

A-   Currently all pupils in school years 3 and 4 get pedestrian training. Years 5 and 6 have the option for cycle training and Bike Ability training is offered for year 7 pupils. The uptake is decided by the parents as they have to give permission. The influence from pupils on their parents behaviour is something that will be explored. When the school build is finished there will be 90 spaces for cycle parking and scooter parking will be increased.

 

Q-        Would it be possible to inform parents of future pupils that there is a no car use policy?

A-   Although it isn’t possible to implement a ban, the prospectus for the school does encourage alternative methods of travel and this promotion will continue.

 

Q-        Due to recent experiences of trying to drive along Hamilton Way, it is now avoided. The first week was intolerable, with buses unable to get through, incidents of road rage and no where for cars to move to. It wasn’t evident that any travel plan was in operation.

A-   Working with the local police team, attention has been paid to the issue, a staggered finish time has been introduced to try and ease the situation at the end of the school day. The future plans will hopefully help change attitudes.

 

Cllr Alexander expressed his support for the Park and Stride scheme, and suggested that a future initiative could be to get children to ticket cars parked inappropriately to help discourage car use.

 

Q-        On returning home from a holiday, I was unable to access my driveway due to the increase in cars in the area and inconsiderate parking.

A-   The school and council are doing what they can to address the issue. If there are incidents of obstruction, they are a matter for the police.

 

Q-        The car park owned by Puss in Boots used to be available for parents to use when dropping off their children, why is it no longer available?

A-   The pub offered their car park for use, but unfortunately due to abuse of the facility it is no longer available. Councillors will follow up the issue and see if the car park can be made available again. Although it won’t solve the issues it would help easy the current situation.

 

Q-        The offer from the Railway Institute is commendable but is any traffic management being implemented at the site, and are provisions been made for the increased use of Madison Way regarding maintenance?

A-   Police Community Support Officers have attended, although there can’t be constant attention paid to the location. If there is a higher uptake of the Park and Stride then this will be looked at.

 

Q-        Is the parking being tackled outside the school?

A-   Parents parking inconsiderately are asked to move but there is a limit to what the school can do legally. Enforcement has to come from the council Parking Services, ticketing may discourage car usage and working with police will help reduce the issue.

 

Q-        The yellow lines on Collingwood Avenue need repainting so they can be enforced?

A-   These were scheduled for repainting, this will be followed up.

 

Q-        Is it possible that buses could be funded to pick up pupils and reduce car use?

A-   This would be down to bus providers as, they are a commercial business and will only run routes for a profit. It is unlikely that the school would be able to fund school buses in the current economic climate.

 

Q-        This issue highlights the necessity for these issues to be thought about in the planning stages. Please can this issue be addressed when the planning for the British Sugar Site is received. The need for bridges or underpasses needs to be looked at in the early stages.

 

 

 

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