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Division(s): Henley North

ITEM TIC7

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 27 NOVEMBER 2003

HENLEY – PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS

Report by Assistant Director (Environment & Economy)

Introduction

  1. This report considers the results of informal consultations on pedestrian crossings at three locations in Henley and seeks approval to continue with the implementation process.

    2. Background

  2. This year’s programme for pedestrian improvements in Henley includes two crossings identified during the Community Safety assessment process and which have been taken forward as part of the Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS). An additional proposal has also been included in line with the ITS policy of improving pedestrian routes from long stay car parks to the Town Centre.

    3. Marlow Road Zebra Crossing (Annex 1 Location 1) (download Annex as .doc file)

  3. On 3 September 2003 the Henley Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) agreed that the County Council should go ahead with the recommended Zebra crossing to improve the links from the Dry Leas Rugby Club car park to the town centre.

  4. Subsequently an informal consultation exercise was undertaken with four directly affected frontagers. Two of these expressed strong support for the crossing. A third expressed no opinion as they were selling-up but agreed to pass the letter to their purchasers. Nothing has been heard from the new owners or from the owners of the fourth property. A formal consultation has still to be carried out.

  5. The proposed improvements also include a short link across a private access (Annex 1 location 2). Permission from the owner has recently been granted subject to minor conditions, which have been accepted.

    6. Bell Street/New Street Pelican Crossing (Annex 1 location 3)

  6. On 3 September Henley TAC agreed to the County Council going ahead with the Pelican crossing at Bell Street.

  7. As a result of consultation the siting of the crossing, which was originally proposed for New Street, was reviewed and it was proposed that it be re-located to the north of the junction across Bell Street. This was to avoid a major impact on the Kenton Theatre and a disabled resident of New Street.

  8. There was strong support from the initial consultation for a crossing of New Street with 77 people supporting and 28 objecting. A follow-up informal consultation with 57 frontagers was carried out between 16 September and 13 October. This resulted in 17 letters of support with five objecting. All five indicated they were not opposed to a pedestrian crossing in principle but suggested alternative locations. All of the objectors live close to the proposed location. A formal consultation has still to be carried out.

    9. Kings Road Zebra Crossings (Annex 1 locations 4 and 5)

  9. On 3 September 2003 Henley TAC agreed to the County Council going ahead with a Zebra crossing at Kings Road.

  10. As a result of the consultation on the Kings Road crossing an additional location was proposed at the Mount View end of Kings Road. Following discussions at the TAC meeting it was decided that work would progress on the crossing at the Mount View end of Kings Road but that the crossing at the Market Place end would be reconsidered in light of proposed developments at the Police Station and hospital. An alternative layout was suggested at the meeting.

  11. There was strong support for a Kings Road crossing with 69 people supporting and 33 objecting. A further informal consultation on the crossing at the Mount View end was carried out with 36 directly affected frontagers between 16 September and 13 October which resulted in 16 letters of support with three objecting. A further two residents telephoned expressing support. Of the three people who objected, two suggested alternative locations leaving one person objecting in principle to a crossing. A formal consultation has still to be carried out.

  12. All of the responses to both consultations and summaries of these are available in the Members’ Resource Centre. A plan showing the proposed locations of all the crossings is included at Annex 1. (download Annex as .doc file)

    13. Environmental Implications

  13. Henley town centre is a heavily congested traffic environment, which causes community severance. The proposed pedestrian crossings go some way to bridging the severance caused by traffic and encouraging walking as a transport mode for short town centre trips. Walking is a free and health-promoting activity for the vast majority of society. These new crossings improve the walking routes from long stay car parks and residential areas to the retail centre of the town.

    14. Financial and Staff Implications

  14. An allocation of £95,000 has been made for the implementation of these crossings in the 2003/04 Capital Programme. In order to achieve the best quality it is recommended that the anti-skid surface treatment is deferred to the Spring, ie April 2004 onwards. This requires making a financial pre-allocation of £19,200 in the 2004/05 Capital Programme.

  15. The programme is being managed within existing staff resources.

    16. RECOMMENDATIONS

  16. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. approve the implementation of the three crossings detailed in the report subject to the Director of Environment & Economy being authorised to resolve any concerns or objections resulting from the formal consultation in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman; and

          2. subject to (a) defer the anti-skid treatment into the 2004/05 financial year.

RICHARD DIX
Assistant Director (Environment & Economy)

Background papers: Letters of comment

Contact Officer: Colin Baird, Team Leader, Major Projects Telephone 01865 815536

November 2003

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