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ITEM TIC5

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE –
6 MAY 2004

ADDERBURY, OXFORD ROAD PELICAN CROSSING

1. This report considers responses to public consultation on the proposed installation of a Pelican crossing on the A4260 Oxford Road in Adderbury.

Background

2. On 11 May 2000 the former Highways & Road Safety Sub-Committee adopted an assessment of the need for a pedestrian crossing at this location as a high priority on 11 May 2000. This followed receipt of a letter from a resident of Lake Walk requesting a facility to allow safe crossing of the A4260 Oxford Road into West Adderbury.
3. A 12 hour survey of pedestrian movements was carried out in October 2002 and 93 pedestrians were recorded crossing in the vicinity of Lake Walk - 16% of these were children. There have been no relevant pedestrian related incidents at or near the proposed crossing during the last five years. The scheme is being given a high priority due to the severing effect Oxford Road has upon the village. In addition a high proportion of vulnerable users have been identified.

Proposal

4. Two alternative options on the northern side of Lake Walk were considered as part of a feasibility study. These are not currently being pursued as they would both have had an impact on "The Green", which has the protected status of Common Land. In addition to the road alignment on the northbound approach the Village Hall would impede forward visibility of the traffic signal heads (Annex 1) (download as .doc file).
5. The proposed location considered in this report just south of the Lake Walk junction, offers better forward visibility and has the less impact upon residential properties and none on "The Green" (Annex 2) (download as .doc file).

Consultation

6. Direct consultation on this proposal was undertaken between 26 January – 27 February 2004 with the local County Councillor, Cherwell District Council, Adderbury Parish Council, emergency services, other relevant bodies and 306 local residents/businesses. Street notices were erected on site during the same period. Copies of all the responses received will be on deposit in the Members’ Resource Centre.
7. Councillor Keith Mitchell is concerned about the urbanising effect of this proposal and another set of traffic lights so close to the Aynho Road junction (220 metres to the north). Given the views of residents to feel more "connected" to the main part of the village he would feel more able to support a Zebra Crossing rather than a Pelican. This being on the understanding it would cost far less and be less intrusive aesthetically upon a high quality village and conservation area.
8. Cherwell District Council and Christopher Rawlins Primary School support the proposal.
9. Adderbury Parish Council confirm the proposal has the support of the majority of its Members. However they question whether it is necessary to provide a Pelican crossing, rather than a Zebra crossing which they consider would have less of an urbanising impact in the conservation area. They felt somewhat aggrieved that funding has been made available for a crossing, as previous requests for traffic calming for the benefit of the village had not been prioritised.
10. Thames Valley Police commented that intervisibility is reasonable between motorists and the signal heads which are located on the apex of a left curve northbound. The limited pavement width adjacent to the village hall building line limits visibility of pedestrians from northbound drivers. However they feel the crossing layout poses the following concerns in respect of safety consideration. Their comments are quoted below:

• "The close proximity of the uncontrolled (give way) junction at Lake Walk can be considered a conflict point where drivers may not appreciate the presence of the crossing (minimum distance of 20 metres suggested). Drivers coping with the prospect of entering the A4260 from Lake Walk will have the additional burden of the signals in the direction making progress".
• "The prospect of large vehicles re-starting on the northbound approach will be compromised by some degree by the uphill gradient (road safety/environment)".

11. Our Access Officer felt the crossing would be of benefit to local people and that its siting could also help traffic coming from the side roads to feed into the main stream of traffic on the Oxford Road.

Residents’ Comments

12. A total of 36 responses were received from residents. 28 supported the proposal and 8 either objected or had concerns. The main points made by residents not in favour of the proposal are listed below:

• Questioned the visibility of the crossing on the brow of a hill and being too close to Lake Walk.
• Environmental impact raised, traffic signals would be visible diagonally from a nearby property and garden. Bleeping sound may also be audible from the property.
• Already within 30mph speed limit and does not accept that there is a problem crossing at present. Numbers of pedestrians recorded during the survey questioned. There is an alternative existing crossing only 220 metres to the north at the Aynho Road (B4100) junction, therefore the crossing is not essential and would be an inappropriate use of taxpayers money.
• Not ideal for road users who will be frustrated with delays due to proximity to other signals.

13. A full summary of the objections/concerns received in response to consultation on the proposal along with officer comment is recorded at Annex 3 (download as .doc file).

Officer Comment

14. It has been suggested that a Zebra crossing be installed as this may have less of an urbanising impact upon the village. Whilst agreeing the environmental impact is an important consideration, a Zebra crossing is not recommended at this location where vehicle speeds on approach are likely to exceed 35mph. The crossing is well within a 30mph speed limit however vehicles frequently exceed the limit, particularly on the northbound approach. As pedestrians rely on drivers stopping immediately they have stepped into the carriageway to cross, a Zebra could be unsafe. In addition the limited pavement width adjacent to the village hall line limits visibility of pedestrians from northbound drivers.
15. It is normally recommended that a Pelican crossing should be located 20 metres away from any side junction. However, in this case it would not be possible without compromising visibility. Drivers exiting Lake Walk would be able to see the traffic signals and therefore be aware when the crossing is in use. The introduction of a ‘keep clear’ marking across the junction is likely to aid rather than hinder progress of drivers wanting to access and egress Lake Walk. The number of vehicles currently making these movements is minimal. When the crossing is not in use, the signals will remain on green for A4260 traffic.
16. The crossing may increase the number of heavy goods vehicles needing to restart on the hill. This is not considered a danger as the gradient is not severe (6%). There are no properties directly fronting the Oxford Road in the 70 metres leading up to the crossing from the south.

Financial and Staff Implications

17. The design and construction costs of this scheme are estimated at £40,000. Funding has been allocated from the 2004/2005 Community Safety Programme.

RECOMMENDATIONS

18. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to authorise officers to proceed with the design and implementation of the Pelican crossing as shown in Annex 2 to this report, subject to the Head of Transport for Environment & Economy being authorised to resolve any concerns or comments resulting from detailed design and further safety audit in consultation with Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning and Waste Management.

DAVID MCKIBBIN
Head of Transport

Background papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Andrew Johnson Tel: Oxford 815737

April 2004

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