Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/142

Contact: David Tole, Traffic Safety & Area Steward Manager Tel: (01865) 815942/07920084148

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE8).

This report presents responses received in the course of a consultation on a proposal to convert an existing footway adjacent to the B481 at Sonning Common to shared use footway/cycletrack which has been promoted in connection with an adjacent residential development to provide a safe and convenient link for pedestrians and cyclists to village amenities.

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

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE8) responses received to the proposed conversion of an existing footway adjacent to the B481 at Sonning Common to shared use footway/cycletrack. The conversion had been promoted in connection with an adjacent residential development to provide a safe and convenient link for pedestrians and cyclists to village amenities.

Graham Smith on behalf of Cycling UK supported the concept but felt the design work was poor and represented an old fashioned solution to a modern problem. Further work should be undertaken and it seemed odd that the speed limit had not been amended. Furthermore the junction design was inappropriate and the bollards, as proposed, seemed more like a restriction.

Mr Tole advised that the scheme had been in its development for some time and whilst accepting that the design might not be what would have been used in other parts of the county it had used current design principles.  There would be some changes to signing and the layout of bollards could be reviewed if deemed necessary. The Parish Council and Local Member supported the scheme.  With regard to the issue of speed limits the junction remained in a 40 limit but officers felt that that was not a material issue.

The Cabinet Member accepted that some detail would be worked out as part of further detailed design work and, bearing in mind the comments from the police, there remained an aspiration to improve links if further finance became available. Therefore, having regard to the arguments and options set out in the report before him and the representations made to him at the meeting he confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve the proposals as advertised.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………….