Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2015/033

Contact: Owen Jenkins, Service Manager – Highways, Transport & Waste Tel: (01865) 323304

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Commercial & Delivery (CMDE5).

The report presents the objections received during the consultation on the proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit on various roads Shiplake and Lower Shiplake.

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

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE5) representations received in response to a proposal to introduce a 20 mph speed limit on various roads in Shiplake and Lower Shiplake.

Robert Pehrson spoke on behalf of the 40 objectors against the proposals.  He was not aware, apart from some marginal support for the proposals in Station Road, of any evidence of strong support for the remaining elements of the scheme. That lack of support seemed contrary to the village plan and brought into question the justification for spending £5,000 of public money in the current financial climate.  With regard to Station Road there was a long history of speed control issues but speed limits alone would not be effective and he called for restoration of speed cushions. With regard to Memorial Avenue he understood that without additional traffic calming measures the proposals would not meet department for transport standards and indeed could compromise safety. He felt that the scheme had been well intentioned but had lost its way and he urged that the scheme in its current form be rejected to enable the parish council to reconsider the proposals in order to gain more support and achieve safer roads.

Tudor Taylor spoke on behalf of the Shiplake Village Plan Steering Group and parish council.  Surveys undertaken in the village had identified speeding traffic as a major concern but little support for the use of rumble strips or road narrowing, which were seen by some residents as increased ‘urbanization’ of Shiplake.  Surveys had indicated support for the use of traffic calming in Station Road with 58% of respondents from Lower Shiplake and 74% of those living on Station Road and the roads immediately joining it in favour. However, following further investigations it became clear that introduction of a 20mph limit in Station Road would necessitate the erection of a large number of new speed signs at both ends of the road and probably on 6 adjoining roads resulting in increased ‘urbanization’ of the area and considerable cost. Therefore the alternative of introducing a limit for all of Lower Shiplake had been investigated. That necessitated the addition of signs at three places only and removal of all existing de-restricted signs at the ends of private roads resulting in a substantial reduction in signage and costs. The zone proposal would ensure a uniform speed limit throughout Lower Shiplake including all private and public roads offering greater conformity and improved safety for the Lower Shiplake which is what the parish council were seeking to achieve.  There were long standing issues with speeding traffic in the area and with the introduction of a zonal limit a high degree of self-compliance could be expected.  The costs of introducing the scheme were low as were any increases in anticipated journey times.  The scheme met LTP objectives and the parish council had the necessary resources and protocols to implement it successfully.

Councillor David Bartholomew confirmed that this had been very much a community matter. Promoted originally through a village plan it had been supported by the parish council who had asked him to facilitate in the process and he thanked Mr Kirkwood from Environment & Economy for his assistance with that. The plan itself had been put together by well-intentioned people and although not experts in survey work the parish council had supported the recommendation. There had been a well organised campaign against the proposals and although support had not been so forthcoming he understood that to be normal in these cases. However, it was important that when the parish council voted on whether to fund the scheme or not that meeting needed to be publicised as widely as possible in order to give all concerned a full opportunity to make their views known and he asked the Cabinet Member to approve the recommendation with that in mind.  The scheme would be funded by the parish council with no financial implications for the County Council and although there was some uncertainty at all levels it was a matter which would ultimately be decided locally.

Mr Tole corrected figures in paragraph 6 of the report to read as follows: “A total of 48 responses were received including 39 objections, 6 responses expressing support, and 3 that neither specifically objected nor supported the proposals but had concerns or comments”.  Responding to a query regarding a lack of response from Thames Valley police he confirmed that responses were normally received from them only when they specifically objected to a proposal. Also officers had been aware that Lower and Upper Shiplake were separate communities but both had been included at the request of the parish council.  Although this was very much a parish led proposal, which would not proceed without their funding, procedurally it was important to get Cabinet Member approval first and he confirmed a January 2017 deadline for implementation of the scheme. He felt the parish council had got the balance right with regard to visual impact and whilst there was a primary issue in Memorial Avenue, which would need further measures as speeds were well above what the DfT would want for a sign controlled road, he confirmed that the timed sign could be retained.

The Cabinet Member recognised that although this scheme would ultimately be funded by the parish council it was very much in keeping with the introduction of 20 mph zones county-wide and a decision now would enable the village and parish council to make a full and final decision as to whether it went ahead or not. Therefore, having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before him, the representations made to him and the further considerations set out above he confirmed his decision as follows:

To approve the proposal to introduce a 20 mph speed limit in Shiplake as advertised.

Signed …………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Dated ……………………………………..