Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/134

Contact: David Tole, Traffic Safety & Area Steward Manager Tel: 07920 084148/07920084148

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE4).

On 2 March 2017 the Cabinet Member for Environment considered  and deferred a report which had presented objections and comments received in the course of a statutory consultation on proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit, supporting traffic calming measures, zebra crossings and a 7.5 tonne weight limit on Littleworth Road,  Benson following representations made at the meeting by the local member and a representative of the Benson Neighbourhood Plan Infrastructure team. The deferral allowed for further consideration of the proposals in the context of other planned development in the area. In addition, although shown on the plans in the March report, the revocation of the current one-way order on Littleworth Road was not formally consulted on as part of that statutory consultation and the opportunity has been taken to address that omission.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the implementation of proposals as advertised.

Approved

On 2 March 2017 the Cabinet Member for Environment, following representations made at that meeting by the local member and a representative of the Benson Neighbourhood Plan Infrastructure team, deferred a report which had presented objections and comments received in the course of a statutory consultation on proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit, supporting traffic calming measures, zebra crossings and a 7.5 tonne weight limit on Littleworth Road, Benson. That deferral allowed for further consideration of the proposals in the context of other planned development in the area. In addition, although shown on the plans in the March report, the revocation of the current one-way order on Littleworth Road had not been formally consulted on as part of that statutory consultation and the opportunity had been taken to address that omission.

The Cabinet Member for Environment now reconsidered the issues.

Councillor Mark Gray highlighted problems for residents accessing from adjacent properties and suggested that Littleworth Road should be 2 way up to the Carla homes development. Limiting it in this way would mean no real difference to current use. He had no issues regarding proposals for introduction of speed or weight limits.

Officers recognised the problems of egress onto Littleworth Road but felt that the provision of footways would improve visibility for residents. They had grave concerns about two-way traffic up to the Carla Homes development, which, as a large development of 400 homes, they felt would affect traffic levels on the B4009 and intensify traffic levels into Castle Square. That was a key pinch point and it was considered what was being proposed now was the best solution.

The Cabinet Member for Environment whilst accepting that a relief/edge road in Benson would dispense with the need for these measures acknowledged that something was required now in order to address traffic issues arising from recently approved housing development and that if and when such a relief road scheme was provided then these measures could be reviewed. However, in the absence of such a scheme he considered that the proposals before him now represented the best solution and therefore having regard to the arguments and options set out in the report before him and the representations made to him confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve implementation of the proposed 20 mph speed limit, traffic calming measures, zebra crossings, weight limit & revocation of one way order Littleworth Road, Benson as advertised.

Signed…………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/134

Contact: David Tole, Traffic Safety & Area Steward Manager Tel: 07920 084148

Report by I Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE7).

The report presents objections and comments received in the course of a statutory consultation on proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit, supporting traffic calming measures, zebra crossings and a 7.5 tonne weight limit on Littleworth Road at Benson.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the implementation of proposals as advertised.

Deferred to a future meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered objections and comments received in the course of a statutory consultation on proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit, supporting traffic calming measures, zebra crossings and a 7.5 tonne weight limit on Littleworth Road at Benson.

Speaking on behalf of the Benson Neighbourhood Plan Infrastructure Team and Parish Council David Rushton referred to substantial growth and development planned both locally and for Chalgrove all of which would have significant long term implications for the area.  These issues had not yet been fully assessed and, bearing in mind the significant impacts on traffic levels from this proposed growth, it seemed premature, therefore, at this stage to pursue proposals for speed and weight limits.  Proposals for growth and changes to the road infrastructure including a new ‘Edge’ road formed a vital element in taking these discussions forward and these needed to be firmed up before anything was finalised.  As there had been no direct discussion with the Highway Authority it seemed sensible to defer until that had been done.

Councillor Mark Gray endorsed the comments made by Mr Rushton on behalf of the very experienced Infrastructure team. It was imperative that proposals were drawn up which addressed real local concerns regarding the effects of planned growth and development and how traffic, particularly HGVs, would be managed and so he supported calls to defer these proposals to enable further discussions.

Mr Tole recognised that if proposals for development locally and more significantly perhaps for Chalgrove went ahead they would impact on this area. However, those matters were outside the scope of this report and the proposals currently before the Cabinet Member had been drawn up in response to current free standing development approved on the north east side of Littleworth Road. He confirmed that any approved traffic calming and weight restrictions could be removed if there were significant changes in the future as a result of further major development and while it was accepted that there could be some diversion of traffic away from Littleworth Road these proposals were aimed at managing that and in any event diverted traffic was not expected to make a significant difference.

Responding to a question from the Cabinet Member for Environment Mr Tole confirmed that the development off Littleworth Road had started but was some way off completion and although it was not conducive for this to drag on that provided an opportunity for further discussion in order to achieve some common ground and clarity and it would also be of no benefit to approve part of the scheme such as the crossings. Therefore a deferral for further discussion was manageable.

The Cabinet Member for Environment recognised that the proposal before him was predicated by S278 developer funding from an adjacent permission and therefore dealt with the certainty of current proposals and not what might happen. However, it was obvious there was local concern and having regard to the information before him and the representations made to him which had indicated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11