Forward Plan Ref: 2021/180

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Jet Dehal, Senior Engineer (Road Agreements Team S&V Engineering 2) Tel: 07767 648708

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM13).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on measures required due to adjacent residential development and the associated construction of a proposed new roundabout junction and carriageway realignment which will see the existing Benson village 30mph speed extended by approximately 380 metres north-eastwards to cover the proposed new roundabout and its circulatory carriageway and replacing the existing 50mph speed limit. Additionally, due to the proposed carriageway realignment, a section of the B4009 The Sands will be closed to motor vehicle traffic and used as a dedicated two-way cycle only track and a traffic calming ‘build-out’ feature constructed on the southern side of the carriageway with vehicle priority given to traffic travelling north-eastwards out of the village.   

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised:

a) the extension of the Benson village 30mph speed limit to include the new roundabout;

b) a prohibition of motor vehicles on the section of the B4009 The Sands which is proposed to be closed to motor vehicle traffic and will be used as a dedicated two-way cycle track;

c) a traffic calming ‘build-out’ feature on the southern side of the carriageway with vehicle priority given to traffic travelling out of the village.

Approved

Adjacent residential development and associated construction in Benson village required a proposed extension of the existing Benson village 30mph speed by approximately 380 metres north-eastwards to include a proposed new roundabout junction and carriageway realignment and replace the existing 50mph speed limit. Also due to the proposed carriageway realignment, a section of the B4009 The Sands would be closed to motor vehicle traffic and used as a dedicated two-way cycle only track with a traffic calming ‘build-out’ feature constructed on the southern side of the carriageway with vehicle priority given to traffic travelling north-eastwards out of the village.  The report before the Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM13) responses received to a statutory consultation on the measures.

The local member Councillor Felix Bloomfield had submitted a written representation advising that while he had no objection to the proposals in principle it was questionable whether there was a need for a dedicated two-way cycle track on the section of the B4009 to be closed to motor vehicles and whether cyclists should be encouraged to use the B4009 north of the proposal especially with the increased traffic flow away from Benson that would come as a consequence of the new Benson Relief Road. The road was seldom used currently by cyclists due to concerns over highway safety and while he supported highway safety improvements on the B4009 north of Benson that was not what was being proposed here. He understood that the developers were paying the costs for these works but there were questions over ongoing maintenance of the cycle track and potential costs to the local tax payer.

Noting the comments of the local member and also having regard to the information in the report before him the Cabinet Member for Highway Management confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve as advertised:

a)   the extension of the Benson village 30mph speed limit to include the new roundabout;

b)   a prohibition of motor vehicles on the section of the B4009 The Sands which was proposed to be closed to motor vehicle traffic and would be used as a dedicated two-way cycle track;

a)     a traffic calming ‘build-out’ feature on the southern side of the carriageway with vehicle priority given to traffic travelling out of the village.

Signed……………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing………………………………….