Agenda item

This report prepared, in accordance with the decision by the Executive Member in 2018, in response to a petition presents the findings of preliminary investigations into the feasibility, likely cost, and impact of providing a left filter traffic lane on Hopgrove Lane South at its junction with Malton Road.

The Executive Member is asked to note the findings of the preliminary feasibility investigations and instruct Officers not to progress the proposal any further.

Resolved: (i)      that the findings of the preliminary feasibility

investigations were noted and that officers were instructed not to progress the proposal any further. 

(ii)      that officers would continue to consult with local residents and Ward Members on experimental work in the area.

Reason:               The feasibility study responds to a petition received in 2018 requesting the provision of an extra traffic lane on Hopgrove Lane South aimed at reducing the delay currently experienced by drivers turning onto Malton Road. The officer recommendation is based on the assessment that, on balance, the time-savings for drivers would not outweigh the road safety concerns or justify the cost. There is also a risk that the proposal could attract more through traffic to Hopgrove Lane South, and have negative impacts on nearby villages.

The Executive Member considered a report, which had been prepared, in accordance with the decision by a former Executive Member in 2018, in response to a petition.  The report presented the findings of preliminary investigations into the feasibility, likely cost, and impact of providing a left filter traffic lane on Hopgrove Lane South at its junction with Malton Road.

The options available for consideration included:

a)           Approve the proposal:

Approve the proposal for detailed design and implementation (and allocation of the necessary budget in the 21/22 Capital Programme)

b)           Request further information to inform final decision:

Request a further report back after strategic traffic modelling is carried out (to help inform a final decision on the scheme being progressed and included in a future Capital Programme). As part of this modelling work other ways of modifying the operation of the junction would also be explored, such as prohibiting certain movements.

c)           Abandon the proposal:

Abandon the proposal now, and inform petitioners of the reasons (limited benefits, road safety concerns, costs etc.) 

The Executive Member enquired what option b), requesting further information, would entail.  The Head of Transport responded that option b) would involve making use of the new traffic model available in the New Year which focuses on traffic flows in the area and which could be used to look at that particular junction.

Having reviewed and considered key pieces of work undertaken as part of the feasibility assessment and having considered the points raised in written submissions received from: the Huntington and New Earswick Ward Councillors: Cllr Keith Orrell, Cllr Carol Runciman and Cllr Chris Cullwick; Cllr Doughty, Strensall Ward Member; the Stockton on the Forest Parish Council; together with the oral representations heard under the ‘Public Participation’ agenda item, all supportive of this scheme, the Executive Member instructed officers not to progress the proposal any further.  He wished to continue consultation with local residents and Ward Members to explore alternative measures to improve the specific traffic situation for local residents.  He mentioned that options may include prohibiting the right turn which was given as the main cause of delay, on a trial basis, putting in place temporary wands to block the right turn with clear signage that traffic has to turn left.  Officers advised that blocking the right turn could be costly as there would need to be a physical barrier rather than a temporary measure, along with the cost of signage which could make it more costly to do on a trial basis.

Resolved: (i)      that the findings of the preliminary feasibility

investigations were noted and that officers were instructed not to progress the proposal any further. 

(ii)      that officers would continue to consult with local residents and Ward Members on experimental work in the area.

Reason:               The feasibility study responds to a petition received in 2018 requesting the provision of an extra traffic lane on Hopgrove Lane South aimed at reducing the delay currently experienced by drivers turning onto Malton Road. The officer recommendation is based on the assessment that, on balance, the time-savings for drivers would not outweigh the road safety concerns or justify the cost. There is also a risk that the proposal could attract more through traffic to Hopgrove Lane South, and have negative impacts on nearby villages.