Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/011

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 (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposed zebra crossing on Gravel Hill, Henley to address concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Gravel Hill near its junctions with Hop Gardens and Paradise Road.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the provision of a zebra crossing at Gravel Hill.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposed zebra crossing on Gravel Hill, Henley to address concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Gravel Hill near its junctions with Hop Gardens and Paradise Road.

Tim Hoskins the Headteacher of Badgemore Primary School spoke in support of the scheme. Nearly 50% of the school’s pupils lived on the other side of Gravel Hill and therefore had to travel across this dangerous road twice a day. and whilst he was very proud that many pupils were walking to school as part of their daily commute, crossing this road was a great worry to him as even with the new speed reduction in place, cars travelled too fast along the road with visibility tricky when looking up the hill. Adding a zebra crossing on Gravel Hill would not only make the road safer, but it would further encourage more families to walk to school thereby reducing pollution in the area. He and his staff all strongly supported the proposal to add a zebra crossing to Gravel Hill which he knew would be welcomed by the wider school community.

Endorsing Mr Hoskins’ comments County Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak emphasized the problems regarding speed of traffic on Gravel Hill and the positive benefits to be gained from this crossing for the school, local residents and also Henley College which was nearby. There had been considerable support locally with 109 representations in support and 4 against. The scheme would be funded in part from S106 money with any shortfall met by Henley Town Council.

Officers pointed out that there was also £5000 CIL money allocated to this scheme which was expected soon and would therefore reduce any contribution which might be required from the Town Council

Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before her together with the representations made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve provision of a zebra crossing at Gravel Hill to address concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Gravel Hill near the junctions with Hop Gardens and Paradise Road.

Signed……………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………….