Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/010

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Lee Turner, Principal Officer – Traffic Schemes Tel: 07917 072678

Report by Corporate Director for Environment & Place (CMDE5).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposed zebra crossing on the A4155 Marlow Road, Henley to address concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Marlow Road near Swiss Farm.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the provision of a puffin crossing at A4155 Marlow Road, Henley, as advertised.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposed zebra crossing on the A4155 Marlow Road, Henley to address concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Marlow Road near Swiss Farm.

David Palmer a resident at Swiss Farm Park Homes since 2000 explained that Swiss Farm was a community of 80 homes comprising 160 residents many of whom were elderly. In addition to this there was an adjoining camp site with 90 pitches and some 360 occupants during the summer months with potentially 520 people wanting to cross the road and walk into Henley.  He regularly crossed this road to walk into Henley for recreation and shopping and on numerous occasions had had to wait for long periods of time to cross. There was also a bus stop across the road so this crossing would enable easy access for that. The officer report stated that when the traffic study had been completed there had been 3,624 car movements with 452 pedestrians attempting to cross the road. Including 6 wheelchairs and 101 accompanied under 16 year olds. He considered that that alone demonstrated the need for a crossing. This was not just about elderly residents but also the many families with young children that spend their holidays at Swiss Farm Camping and it was unacceptable to have to gain access to the town by first crossing a racetrack to get to the only footpath on the other side of the road particularly as there was now an acceptable solution. Costs were to be met by Henley Town Council and he asked the Cabinet Member to accept the officer recommendation to approve the puffin crossing on the Marlow Road.

Endorsing Mr Palmer’s comments Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak referred to the overwhelming support locally with 126 people in support and only 4 against. The road was heavily trafficked and the scheme fitted in with the Active Travel Agenda.

The Cabinet Member for Environment could see no real argument against provision and, therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the provision of a puffin crossing at A4155 Marlow Road, Henley, as advertised

Signed……………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………..