Meeting documents

ITEM EX17

EXECUTIVE – 11 DECEMBER 2001

B4017 WOOTTON ROAD, ABINGDON

PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING AND ZEBRA CROSSING

Report by Director of Environmental Services

1. The original traffic calming scheme for B4017 Wootton Road, Abingdon was included in the 2000/01 Local Safety Schemes Supplementary Programme. Informal consultation was carried out between November 2000 and May 2001 and the responses were considered on 23 August 2001 by the Highways & Road Safety Sub-Committee, who approved the scheme, subject to consideration of any objections arising from formal consultation.
2. Following informal consultation and investigation a zebra crossing just north of the John Mason School was added to the scheme, as were advisory cycle lanes where the carriageway width is sufficient, north of the Boxhill Walk junction. The amended scheme is shown on the attached Drawing No. 1317/F200b. It is also shown in more detail on drawing no. BPN779/B3250A, which will be available at the meeting. Formal consultation on the amended scheme has been carried out in October/November 2001.

Consultation

3. 11 letters of objection have been received, including responses from the Vale of White Horse District Council and Abingdon Town Council. A summary of those objections, with officer comments, is annexed. The main points of objection were as follows (those marked with an asterisk having also been made at the earlier consultation stage):

• *concern that traffic would divert on to minor roads in residential areas;
• *the proposed Trendell Place junction mini-roundabout is unnecessary;
• *a mini-roundabout is required at Boxhill Walk junction;
• *Waiting Restrictions are needed to prevent parking on the footway.

• humps and speed cushions are very dangerous for cyclists and motor-cyclists;
• the School Crossing Patrol should be re-introduced;
• some of the local roads are in a very poor state; repair of them should be given a higher priority than traffic calming;
• Emergency Services vehicles would be unable to straddle the speed cushions when passing other vehicles;
• there is no need for calming north of the John Mason School.

4. Copies of all responses are in the Members` Resource Centre.

Director`s Comments

5. The scheme is justified on accident reduction grounds as seven personal injury accidents have occurred in the last 5 years (up to 31 August 2001) over the length of Wootton Road covered by the proposed scheme. The close proximity of the John Mason School and general use of the road by school children make speed management a prime objective if accident reduction is to be achieved.
6. The scheme incorporates the most effective means of speed control – vertical deflections – yet is sympathetic to buses and emergency services by the use of speed cushions. Installation of only a pelican crossing (or zebra crossing) would be ineffective in achieving the overall aim of speed management on this length of road. The reduction in speed due to the speed cushions will allow a zebra crossing to be used rather than a pelican just north of the John Mason School. Also a zebra crossing can be located closer to the School exit than a pelican crossing, with vehicles controlled by signals, could be. A pelican would necessitate more extensive alterations to the bus layby opposite than a zebra.
7. Mini-roundabouts have been used as entry/termination features to the scheme. No objections were received from the ambulance service in connection with the Trendell Place junction proposed mini-roundabout. A mini-roundabout at the Boxhill Walk junction would require extensive carriageway and bus layby works and is not justified on casualty reduction grounds. The reduced traffic speeds should aid turning from Boxhill Walk into Wootton Road.
8. With any traffic calming scheme there is always the risk of traffic transfer to other roads. The increase in travel time along Wootton Road (less than 15 seconds except at school arrival and departure times when the zebra crossing will be busiest) is not expected to cause significant transfer to other roads. However, before and after traffic surveys of the roads at risk will be undertaken, and additional measures considered where significant increases are found.
9. Waiting restrictions will be desirable if inconsiderate parking either makes straddling of the speed cushions difficult, or obstructs the footway more than at present. The need for waiting restrictions should be assessed after completion of the traffic calming scheme, as the scheme itself might discourage inconsiderate parking.
10. The Headteacher of the John Mason School has welcomed the introduction of the zebra crossing and has formally given permission for the alteration of the School exit within the School premises on condition that the work on the School exit is done during the School holidays.
11. The Highways & Road Safety Sub-Committee on 23 August 2001, when considering the scheme, asked for a 20mph Zone to be considered in association with the scheme. The traffic calming is expected to reduce the speed exceeded by 15% of vehicles to 24mph or less. Therefore a 20mph Zone associated with the scheme is feasible, and it is likely to further reduce the speed exceeded by 15% of vehicles.

Staff and Financial Issues

12. Most of the preparation of the scheme has now been completed. Supervision of construction would be carried out by our Consultants, Babtie. In-house staff involvement would be relatively small. The cost of the extended scheme will be approximately £80,000. The increase from the budget estimate of £30,000 is primarily due to the introduction, following public consultation, of the zebra crossing and associated alterations to the corner of Boxhill Walk, the bus layby and the School exit. It is also due to the proposed use of precast concrete speed cushions, which are more expensive, but much more durable than the rubber or tarmac ones originally proposed. The cost increase of approximately £50,000 is proposed to come from the 2001/02 Casualty Reduction Budget, unallocated block of funds for site-specific treatment.

RECOMMENDATIONS

13. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to authorise the Director of Environmental Services to:

1. proceed with implementation and construction of the scheme as shown on drawing no. 1317/F200b;
2. promote a Speed Limit Order for a 20mph Zone associated with the scheme;
3. review the impact of the scheme and, if necessary, promote a Traffic Regulation Order to deal with any parking problems that may arise.

November 2001