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ITEM TIC18

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 6 DECEMBER 2002

THAME, PARK STREET – PELICAN CROSSING AND TRAFFIC CALMING

Report by Director of Environmental Services

 

Introduction

  1. The report considers the provision of a humped Pelican crossing on Park Street, Thame, for the benefit of pupils at John Hampden School. It would be constructed about four metres west of the existing flat-top humped uncontrolled crossing near the main pedestrian entrance to the school (which would be removed) together with the construction of a proposed narrowing about 50 metres to the east.

    2. Background

  2. In 1998 traffic-calming measures were installed in Park Street. The easternmost measure was a narrowing and flat-top hump outside the clock shop "Rosemary and Time", close to the main pedestrian entrance to the John Hampden Primary School. Pedestrians are encouraged by tactile paving, dropped kerbs and a length of guard rail to cross Park Street at this point. It is a convenient location for school children and their parents to cross Park Street, whether they live east or west of the school.

  3. The John Hampden School requested that, as part of the County Council’s Better Ways To School programme, a humped Pelican crossing be provided in the same location. This was taken into the BWTS programme of highway schemes for the year 2002/03.

  4. As the amount of existing narrowing would have to be reduced to allow two-way traffic at the humped crossing, a new narrowing is proposed 50 metres to the east opposite an existing footway build-out, which will encourage vehicles heading towards the crossing from the east to reduce speed.

    5. Consultation

  5. Informal consultation resulted in 21 letters of objection to the proposed measures. The points made by objectors, and the officer comments on each, are tabulated in Annex 1. The formal consultation has not resulted in any letters apart from a very small number from people reiterating the points they made in their earlier objection. A plan showing the location of the proposed crossing and narrowing is attached at Annex 2. (download as .doc file)

    6. Conclusions

  6. Having considered the objections set out in Annex 1., I find that there is a strong case for accepting the minimal loss of parking and no evidence that it will cause a loss of trade. Also, while the proposed narrowing may cause some delay at the busiest periods, it will make an important contribution to pedestrian safety at the proposed crossing.

    7. Financial and Staff Implications

  7. There is sufficient funding in the Better Ways To School budget for 2002/03 for this scheme. Our consulting engineers, Babtie, are designing the scheme and will supervise the construction.

    8. RECOMMENDATION

  8. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to authorise the Director of Environmental Services to proceed with implementation of the scheme.

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Background papers: Copies of letters received from members of the public in response to consultation have been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre, as has a copy of a letter from Thame Town Council enclosing the Minutes of their Extraordinary Meeting of 17 September 2002. A 1:500 scale drawing will be on display at the meeting of the Transport Implementation Committee.

Contact Officer: David Deriaz Tel: Oxford 815666

November 2002

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