Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/067

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

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE4).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit in place of the existing 30mph limit in Henley town centre and a 40mph limit north of the existing 30mph speed limit on the A4130 The Fairmile. Both have been put forward by Henley Town Council and the local County Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak in response to concerns over road safety and the wider adverse impact of traffic on residents.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit in place of the existing 30mph limit in Henley town centre, and on the A4130 The Fairmile, a 40mph limit north of the existing 30mph speed limit as advertised.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit in place of the existing 30mph limit in Henley town centre and a 40mph limit north of the existing 30mph speed limit on the A4130 The Fairmile put forward by Henley Town Council and the local County Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak in response to concerns over road safety and the wider adverse impact of traffic on residents.

Councillor Gawrysiak thanked officers particularly Anthony Kirkwood for their assistance in this project.  The 40mph limit on the Fairmile was a sensible transitional proposal supported by residents while the 20mph proposals were within a constrained area all of which complied with the 24mph recommended level without supporting traffic calming measures apart from one road which was only marginally over.  He considered the proposals sent out the right message that local people wanted lower speeds and that cars were less important than people. It was also hoped that these proposals, in conjunction with other air quality measures, would contribute to improved levels in this area and the restricted area could well be extended in time which would address some of the comments received. He felt the objection by the police had been addressed in the report and although accepting this would be a sign only scheme with no additional enforcement he considered it a step forward and urged approval to reflect the levels of local support.

Mr Kirkwood confirmed that the Henley Town Council were funding the scheme and regarding the objection by the police he confirmed that of the 13 sites recently surveyed 12 had all been within the 24mph recommended level for a 20 mph limit without supporting traffic calming measures with only one survey site marginally outside those levels.

Responding to a query from the Cabinet Member regarding a comment by Councillor Gawrysiak that slower traffic could have a beneficial effect on air quality pollution Mr Kirkwood confirmed that introduction of 20 mph speed limits would not normally be expected to have a massive effect on levels.

Councillor Sanders supported both schemes.

Recognising the levels of local support for both proposals, the provision of funding by the Henley Town Council and having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows: 

to approve proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit in place of the existing 30mph limit in Henley town centre, and on the A4130 The Fairmile, a 40mph limit north of the existing 30mph speed limit as advertised.

Signed……………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………