Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/155

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE5).

The report presents responses to a statutory consultation on proposals to install two zebra crossings on Newlands Drive, Grove and also the outcome of further discussions with Grove Parish Council and the local member in respect of proposals to extend the 30mph speed limit on Denchworth Road, to provide calming measures on Newlands Drive and to prohibit the use by motor vehicles of parts of Cane Lane and Denchworth Road, which are superseded by the proposed new road layout at Grove and which were reported to the Cabinet Member for Environment delegated decisions meeting on 23 November 2017.

The measures have been proposed in conjunction with a major new residential development to the west of Denchworth Road and Newlands Drive at Grove.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve:

a)        proposals for the zebra crossings on Newlands Drive, Grove;

b)        proposed traffic calming measures on Newlands Drive, the proposed speed limit reduction on Denchworth Road and the proposed prohibition of motor vehicles at Denchworth Road and Cane Lane as considered at the Cabinet Member for Environment delegated decisions meeting on 23 November 2017.

Approved

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE5) responses to proposals to install two zebra crossings on Newlands Drive, Grove together with the outcome of further discussions with Grove Parish Council and the local member in respect of proposals to extend the 30mph speed limit on Denchworth Road, provide calming measures on Newlands Drive and prohibit the use by motor vehicles of parts of Cane Lane and Denchworth Road. The measures had been proposed in conjunction with a major new residential development to the west of Denchworth Road and Newlands Drive at Grove.

Rodney Pollock stressed the need to get this right.  There was one opportunity to do so but he felt that some of the analysis used to date was questionable and raised a number of issues:

·      Pollution. Recent Government advice appeared to recommend against the use of road humps.

·      Speed Surveys.  He questioned the justification for the queries raised by the police regarding current traffic speeds.   He was aware of regular speed checks on many local roads but not Newlands Drive so was not convinced that that was evidence based.

·      He could not see how 3 mini roundabouts were appropriate for Denchworth Road between Mably Way and the junction with the Faringdon Road when Newlands Drive was 2ft wider with much wider verges.  The ransom strip only affected land availability at the north end so It didn’t seem reasonable therefore that mini roundabouts couldn’t be provided at Savile Way and Columbia Way or the direct entrance to the south end of the airfield as an alternative to humps. The issue about right turning vehicles seemed tenuous as the situation would only replicate Denchworth Road with housing either side of a straight road.

·      The maps issued by Brookbanks were incorrect insofar as they showed playing fields on only the east side of Denchworth Road whereas, because of road alterations, they were on both sides. There were regular sports tournaments with youngsters needing to cross as would school children attending King Alfred’s. Careful consideration was required with regard to provision of crossings and it was essential to work out which paths people would take and ensure that they were safe.

·      Was it right to invest so heavily in this one scheme with no funds then available to deal with problems should they arise elsewhere.

He again stressed the need to get this right and as far as possible future proof it for the whole community.

Councillor Zoe Patrick endorsed the comment regarding the need to get this scheme right. She considered Newlands Drive key to the scheme and that crossings were needed. She had issues with the limited access to the development site with a 3^rd access compromised by the ransom strip at the northern end. That situation was wholly unacceptable and as a contributory cause of the problem should be subject to a CPO process. She favoured mini roundabouts at the southern end but felt that the northern end should be left until after the development had been completed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18