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ITEM TIC5

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 6 DECEMBER 2002

VARIOUS TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS - BANBURY

Report by Director of Environmental Services

Introduction

  1. This report details the responses to two formal consultations:

  • the prohibition of turning movements being introduced as part of the North Bar/Horsefair/South Bar accident remedial measures, which were approved as part of a package of measures at the Highways & Road Safety Sub-committee on 23 August 2001;

  • traffic management measures along the Bath Road/Beargarden Road corridor, which were approved by the Executive on 22 January 2002.

Background

  1. Informal consultation for the prohibition of turning movements was undertaken as part of the package of measures for the North Bar/South Bar accident remedial measures scheme, which is due for completion at the end of November 2002.

  2. The prohibition of turning was proposed to restrict movements into and out of the east and west car parks on North Bar (as shown in Annex 1). (download as .doc file) This proposal removes unnecessary turning conflicts, associated accidents, and improves general traffic conditions by reducing turns across this main traffic flow. The proposal received positive support during the North Bar/Horsefair/South Bar consultation.

  3. During the same consultation concerns were raised that the introduction of traffic management measures in North Bar/South Bar would increase the existing rat running problem in Bath Road and Beargarden Road. Local residents also raised concerns about the speed of traffic using these roads.

  4. Our consultants, Babtie Group, designed three schemes to tackle these concerns which had been the subject of an informal consultation with local residents. Their views were split equally between the two most popular options of 75mm and 15mm high raised platforms. As a result of this even divide the Executive on 22 January 2003, approved implementation of the lower 15mm high platforms, with a view of raising them to 75mm should they prove ineffective.

  5. A traffic survey was carried out in July 2002 and recorded only a very small reduction in average speeds (Annex 2 shows the results of the survey). This small reduction is likely to be eroded gradually when drivers become more familiar with the lower platforms. My officers therefore consider the introduction of the 15mm high raised platforms in Bath Road and Beargarden Road unsuccessful.

  6. Implementation of higher (75mm) platforms following the Executive recommendation, as described above in paragraph 5, requires formal consultation under the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999.

    7. Formal Consultation

  7. The formal consultation for the prohibition of turning movements on North Bar has received one objection, from Thames Valley Police (Annex 4).(download as .doc file) They would like physical islands in the centre of the carriageway to make the order self enforcing.

  8. Officers consider that any physical islands would seriously hinder traffic flow and reduce capacity of the North Bar/Warwick Road signalised junction, which is being re-phased to accommodate pedestrian crossings. However monitoring will take place and if gross disobedience occurs we will give further consideration to the advice from Thames Valley Police.

  9. The formal consultation of the Bath Road/Beargarden traffic calming was undertaken between 12 September 2002 and 4 October 2002. Only two objections were received, both of which related to concerns about the proximity of the humps to adjacent properties, and the potential of damage from vibration. Following concerns from residents and consideration of the objections (discussed in detail in the next paragraph) it is proposed not to introduce the 75mm raised platforms at these two locations, (these are shown in Annex 3).(download as doc.file)

  10. The two raised platforms have been omitted as a result of the objections received from those residents directly affected by their implementation. It is highly unlikely that any road hump will result in structural damage to neighbouring buildings. However, it is possible that minor hairline cracking may occur if the raised platform is placed 4m or less from the dwelling. The two objectors are 2.8m and 5.2m respectively from the hump, it is therefore deemed prudent not to place the humps at these locations at this time. The other humps are generally at a minimum of 7.6m and it is felt safe to continue with their implementation. This conclusion is based on research from the Transport Research Laboratory.

    11. Financial and Staff Implications

  11. Funding for the measures to support the prohibition of turning movements will be accommodated in the North Bar/Horsefair/South Bar accident remedial measures budget.

  12. The Bath Road/Beargarden Road traffic calming will be funded from this years capital programme allocation and is expected to cost £20,000.

  13. The County Council’s engineering consultant, Babtie Group, is undertaking the design work. Project management is being carried out by officers from Environmental Services, within current staffing levels.

    14. RECOMMENDATIONS

  14. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. authorise implementation of the prohibition of right turn movements at the north entrance and exit of the North Bar east car park and the north and south exit/entrance of the North Bar west car park as shown in Annex 1 to this report;

          2. approve the introduction of the 75mm high raised platforms along the Bath Road/Beargarden corridor as shown in Annex 3(download as doc.file)

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Background papers: NIL

Contact Officer: Mike Wasley Tel: Oxford 810464

November 2002

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