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ITEM TIC5

BETTER WAYS TO SCHOOL, THAME : QUEENS ROAD PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AND TRAFFIC CALMING

1. This report details responses to a consultation on a proposed traffic calming scheme on Queens Road, Thame, between No 52 and Meadowcroft. The formal consultation was carried out between 28 February and 28 March 2003.
2. Prior to this scheme being proposed there were discussions with representatives of the local school (Lord Williams Lower School on Towersey road) who had made a successful bid to be included in the 2001/02 Better Ways to School Programme.

Public Consultation and Development of the Scheme

3. It was originally proposed that a single flat top hump would be installed immediately east of Towersey Road to provide a safe crossing point for school children on their way to Lord Williams Lower School. A chicane was also proposed approximately 80m west of this hump in order to reduce the speed of eastbound traffic approaching the hump. A second chicane east of the hump was not feasible owing to the narrowness of the road. As an alternative we are proposing to introduce white lining on this stretch of road to narrow the width further in order to reduce speeds.
4. After the informal consultation was completed it was decided that a crossing point be provided near to the Seven Acres access as this had been identified as another site where many pedestrians cross the road to access the Lower School site. Also for speed reduction a chicane was to be included 50m further west. At the hump immediately east of Towersey Road it was decided to include a zebra crossing as recommended by the Police.
5. During the first formal consultation, responses were received requesting that the two chicanes be replaced with humps. This was of particular concern to one of the bus companies who were concerned that their buses would not be able to manoeuvre through the chicanes. The scheme was amended accordingly and consequently it was necessary to carry out a third consultation.

Formal Consultation on the Recommended Scheme

6. The formal consultation took place between 28 February and 28 March 2003 with notices posted on site and in the local newspaper. Letters were sent out to local residents, the emergency services and other interested organisations.
7. The responses have been approximately 50-50 for and against the scheme. The main comments against the scheme are:
   
   

1. that vehicles do not go above the speed limit so calming is not needed;
2. repairs should be made to the road surface and prevention of flooding should be a higher priority than the pedestrian crossing and traffic calming measures;
3. the proposed scheme will adversely affect the emergency services.
   
   
8. The main concern of Thames Valley Police was that the speed of traffic approaching the hump immediately east of Towersey Road from the east would be too high for an informal humped crossing such as that proposed originally. They preferred either a Zebra or Pelican crossing, hence the reason for opting for a humped Zebra crossing.
9. The other emergency services were consulted but did not reply. During earlier consultations they had stated that whilst they were not entirely in favour of traffic calming (due to the potential for delays) they did understand the principles behind such schemes and therefore did not object
10. The two bus companies who already operate services on Queens Road - Motts Travel and Arriva (The Shires) were consulted. Motts said that speed humps would be acceptable although the inclusion of chicanes (as proposed previously) would not. Arriva said that they would prefer cushions to humps. However, the proposal is for humps and not cushions because humps are needed to help pedestrians cross the road, as requested by the school and local residents.
11. On 17 April 2003 the Transport Implementation Committee approved a proposal to subsidise a new bus route on this length of Queens Road with a frequency of two per hour in each direction daily, except Sundays, as from 7 July 2003. There will be bus stops east of the proposed humped Zebra crossing site and also immediately west of the Seven Acres junction. The route will be operated by Arriva (The Shires), whose comments on the proposed scheme are reported in the paragraph above.
12. Thame Town Council have stated that they are generally in favour of the scheme, although they were unhappy with the earlier proposal for chicanes. The local County Councillor, Councillor Diana Ludlow, intends to state her views to the Transport Implementation Committee when this item is considered.
13. A plan of the scheme in shown at Annex 1 (download as .doc file) with a table detailing the concerns raised in the consultation at Annex 2 (download as .doc file). Copies of all correspondence are available in the Members’ Resource Centre.

Assistant Director’s Comments

14. It has been shown that traffic speeds on this road are high. Surveys show 85%tile speed 36.1mph for eastbound traffic and 39mph for westbound traffic and hence there is a potential risk to schoolchildren. The traffic-calming scheme will reduce these speeds and, in combination with the provision of two crossing points, will help to improve safety. The scheme will not affect parking (apart from around the Zebra crossing) or access.

Financial and Staff Implications

15. The scheme is to be funded from the Better Ways to School programme and is included in the 2003/04 Capital Programme. The County Council’s Engineering consultant, Babtie, is undertaking the design work with project management being carried out by County officers.

RECOMMENDATIONS

16. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve the implementation of the scheme as set out in Annex 1 to this report.

EDDIE LUCK
Assistant Director (Transport Development)

Background papers: Letters received in response to consultation

Contact Officer: Richard Ponchaud - tel: Oxford 815837

May 2003

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