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Division(s): Sonning Common

ITEM TIC15

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 4 MARCH 2004

PEDESTRIAN CROSSING – SONNING COMMON B481 PEPPARD ROAD, BETWEEN GROVE ROAD AND WOOD LANE

Report by the Head of Transport

Introduction

  1. Following requests for a pedestrian crossing at this location, an assessment has been carried out in accordance with County Council guidelines which has shown sufficient merit for the scheme to be included in the Community Safety Schemes Programme for construction in 2003/04. This was confirmed by the Executive on 15 April 2003. However the scheme has been delayed due to an insufficient level of funding in the Transport Capital Budget for 2003/4.

    2. Proposal

  2. The proposal includes the provision of a pelican crossing across the B481 Peppard Road, between Grove Road and Wood Lane. Surveys show that traffic speeds are significantly above 30mph, even though that is the enforceable speed limit. To ensure safety, speed discrimination technology is required and widening of the footway on the east side of the crossing to provide a safe area for pedestrians to wait. A plan (BPN881/F3150/A) showing the proposal is attached at Annex 1 (download as .doc file).

    3. Consultation

  3. Consultation on the pelican was carried out between 23 September and 20 October 2003. Letters were sent to the local member (Councillor Carol Viney), the Parish Council, Emergency Services and to residents of Peppard Road and Brinds Close, in the vicinity of the proposed location. Site notices were erected over the same period.

  4. Responses were received from 3 residents and Thames Valley Police. Summaries of the comments and the County Council’s responses are set out at Annex 2 (download as .rtf file). Essentially these relate to the ability of drivers to see the crossing. They can all be overcome by the measures proposed for incorporation in the detailed design.

    5. Financial and Staff Implications

  5. The pelican crossing is currently estimated to cost £61,500. This is an increase on the original estimate, due to the additional measures outlined in paragraph 2 above. In October 2003 the Executive deferred implementation of the scheme to 2004/05 due to budget pressures.

    6. RECOMMENDATIONS

  6. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to authorise detail design and implementation of the scheme in 2004/5 subject to the allocation of funds.

DAVID MCKIBBIN
HEAD OF TRANSPORT

Background papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Errol Carrington Tel: Oxford 815576

February 2004

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