Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/045

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

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE8).

The report presents responses received in the course of a statutory consultation on a proposal for the introduction of a 30mph speed limit and a ‘puffin’ signalled crossing on the A417 at East Hendred.

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

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE8) responses to a consultation to introduce a 30 mph speed limit and ‘puffin’ signalled crossing on the A417 at East Hendred in connection with and as a charge on a residential development to the north side of the A417 east of its junction with White Road.

Whilst expressing support for the proposal Dr Sharp for the parish council added that they wanted to see the limit extended westwards to include the Allins Lane junction and eastwards to include the Featherbed Lane junction. Challenging the accident figures in the report he confirmed that in a 5 year period between 2008 and 2013 there had been 17 accidents over a 2km length of road with 1 fatality and other incidents since then. It was accepted that while normal criteria for a 30 mph speed limit were not met with the regard to the extension to the west the accident figures which he had quoted suggested special circumstances might exist which merited its provision and could help alleviate conditions between Woods Farm Lane and the western end of the Hendred dip where there was a recognised black spot. The parish council supported the proposed crossing but would continue to campaign for a wider footpath/cycletrack.

Mark Beddow expressed concern over the specification for the crossing which he considered only met minimum visual standards. While the Pye 3 development itself was regrettable every effort should now be made to improve and ensure high levels of safety on this section of road.

Mr Tole confirmed that the proposed new crossing had been located to best fit with the design of the estate and had received general support despite some concerns regarding its proximity to White Road and the width of footway. However, a pedestrian link was seen as essential in providing a link between the new development and the village over what was a busy road with some hgv use. However, the prime issue remained the speed limit. Officers felt an extension all the way to the west of Hendred as proposed by the parish council would reduce its effectiveness and considered that the current 40 limit was consistent with Department for Transport guidance.

Mr Kirkwood confirmed that police reports as at March 2017 showed one minor accident at the Allins Lane junction in the last 5 years. The fatality referred to by Dr Sharp had occurred 200m east of Allins Lane with no highway factors involved. There had been 1 injury accident at White Road.

Dr Sharp confirmed that the figures he had quoted had been collated over a longer period of time and longer stretch of road but that Hendred Dip was nevertheless a recognised accident black spot.

With regard to the potential to extend eastwards Mr Jenkins confirmed that due to land issues there was no firm date for the improvement scheme at the Featherbed Lane end.

The Cabinet Member for Environment accepted that delays to the Featherbed Lane improvement scheme would, for the time being, constrain any possible extension eastwards. There were also constraints on extending to the west not least the character of the road itself. However, accepting the concerns expressed by the parish council regarding the Hendred Dip and having regard to the arguments and options set out in the report and the representations made at the meeting she confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposals as advertised and ask county officers to investigate the scope and options for extending the 30 mph limit at its western end to cover the Allins Lane junction as requested by the parish council.

Signed………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………..