Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/059

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

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce three pairs of speed cushions on new Yatt Road over a 250m length of the road south west of its junction with Green Lane to mitigate concerns over road safety and the wider adverse impact of traffic on residents and road users (in particular pedestrians) arising from residential development adjacent to the road.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the introduction of three pairs of speed cushions on new Yatt Road over a 250m length of the road south west of its junction with Green Lane as advertised.

Approved

Officers are considering the implications of relocating the western-most proposed speed cushion to a suitable point further west of the access to the new development on the northern side of New Yatt Road to reduce through traffic speeds west of this access point.

In response to requests for alternative measures the Local Member and residents were asked to note the other benefits which had been secured by this development including subsidy for improved bus service and footways..

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce three pairs of speed cushions on New Yatt Road over a 250m length of the road south west of its junction with Green Lane to mitigate concerns over road safety and the wider adverse impact of traffic on residents and road users (in particular pedestrians) arising from residential development adjacent to the road.

Supporting the proposals Councillor Walker stated that reducing speed of traffic on this busy stretch of road was key as in a recent survey 80 cars out of 936 were travelling in excess of 40 mph. However, he questioned whether the county council was getting good value for money as perhaps build outs rather than speed cushions would achieve a better result.  Also moving the western most cushion further west could benefit the scheme.

Responding to the Cabinet Member Mr Marshall confirmed that a cushion could potentially be moved but doing so would require further reference to minimum distance guidelines. Addressing the comments made regarding alternative measures he confirmed that the rural nature of the road together with its variable width, which reduced in an easterly direction, led officers to believe that the scheme, as proposed, was proportionate.  The works would be funded jointly by two developments and confirmed that contributions had also been secured towards an improved bus service and improved footways.  Regarding concerns on noise vehicles travelling at the right speed would be able to straddle the cushions thereby reducing noise levels and an agreed design and construction to a high specification would it was expected keep maintenance to a minimum.

The Cabinet Member reported the detail of an email from a resident Mr Ed Turner objecting to the current scheme and raising the provision of alternative measures all of which had been covered in the report and discussed at the meeting as part of her deliberations. 

Noting improvements to local bus services and improved footways secured as part of the developments together with an investigation by officers into the implications for relocating the western-most proposed speed cushion to a suitable point further west of the access to the new development on the northern side of New Yatt Road to reduce through traffic speeds west of this access point the Cabinet Member having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the introduction of three pairs of speed cushions on new Yatt Road over a 250m length of the road south west of its junction with Green Lane as advertised.

Signed…………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………………