Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/109

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

Report by Director of Community Operations (CMDE8).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce a zebra crossing on Greys Road between its junctions with Greys Hill and The Close put forward to address concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Greys Road between the pram walk on the Gainsborough Estate, The Close, Greys Hill (leading to Sacred Heart School) and the shop.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a zebra crossing on Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames between its junctions with Greys Hill and The Close as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE8) responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce a zebra crossing on Greys Road between its junctions with Greys Hill and The Close put forward to address concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Greys Road between the Pram Walk on the Gainsborough Estate, The Close, Greys Hill (leading to Sacred Heart School) and the shop.

Louise Dodd a resident of Harcourt Close had long campaigned for a crossing on this very busy road and as a parent with 2 children who had attended the Sacred Heart school for 10 years who had felt unable to let her children walk to school felt qualified to press the case for provision. With 200 pupils the Sacred Heart school drew children from all over Henley which brought an element of danger. There had been a school crossing patrol but that was no longer the case. The school had limited play space and a crossing would give safer access to Makins Field and, as there were no other crossings in this area on Greys Road, would also benefit other facilities in the area such as the scout hut and skate park. Noting Mr Takhar’s objection to the crossing she felt a crossing would be benefit his shop and acknowledged there could be scope to move it slightly closer to Pram Walk.

Mr Turner confirmed that the siting was on a recognised desire line but moving slightly further north was an option.

Mr Takhar was not opposed to any increase in road safety and as his children also attended the Sacred Heart school he was well aware of the issues. However, he felt that the crossing would be better located further down Greys Road by the scout hut as the proposed location would only benefit those crossing from the Gainsborough estate area.  There would be no gain for people accessing the middle staircase as that was currently blocked.  The crossing would undoubtedly affect his business as he had deliveries off Greys Road and provision of dropped kerbs as suggested would not, he felt, help because there was provision for threshold parking for residents in the flats above the shop so there could be no guaranteed space for deliveries.

County and Town Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak felt there was an argument for 2 crossings.  A recent survey had shown 4660 traffic movements in a 12-hour period with 356 crossings including 120 under 16s at this point representing a clear and absolute need for a crossing. The consultation undertaken had shown overwhelming support from Henley Town Council, the Sacred Heart school, Headway and a clear majority of residents.  There had been a long campaign for a crossing and there was now clear evidence of need with a clear desire line from the Pram Walk and Gainsborough an estate of 2/300 houses.  The crossing would also serve Trinity School and was looking to have temporary closure of the middle steps made permanent closed. If the crossing was moved north outside number 179 then that would affect parking for that resident and reduce visibility sight lines whereas under the current proposal those lines were clear from both directions.  Moving it outside the scout hut would take it a long way from the desire line and put it on a more dangerous bend whereas the current proposal presented a much safer crossing. He felt there was a marketing opportunity for Mr Takhar and in view of the clear and demonstrated need he supported the proposal.

Responding to the Cabinet Member he confirmed that the bus stop was not currently used.

Mr Turner added that the crossing had been designed with bus stop on the west side in mind and there was safe clearance for that. If the crossing were moved further north it could compromise visibility. He confirmed the findings of a 12- hour survey had clearly demonstrated a need for a facility at this point.  Responding to Councillor Sanders who had asked why a light controlled crossing was not being provided he explained that a zebra crossing was considered safe having regard to regulations regarding 85 percentile speeds of traffic and there was also a financial consideration which needed to be taken into account.

Summarisng the Cabinet Member noted a clear need for a crossing on Greys Road the issue being where it was sited. The proposed site offered clear sight lines and was on a clear desire line whereas resiting to the north would affect resident parking and compromise sight lines. The steps to Makins Field were currently closed with a view to permanent closure which would add to the desirability of the proposed crossing.  With regard to the shop and Mr Takhar’s request to resite the crossing she agreed that further south would take it some distance from the recognised desire line and that access to the shop was established for deliveries and he was not being denied parking and that a large number of pedestrians would be going past his shop as a result of the crossing being sited as proposed. Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report together with the representations made to her at the meeting she confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposed introduction of a zebra crossing on Greys Road, Henley as advertised.

Signed…………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………..