Report re Objections to Traffic Calming Scheme at Bents Drive

Development Services

 

16th June 2008

 

 

1.1             To inform the Board of representations received in respect of a proposed traffic calming scheme on Bents Drive/Bents Crescent.

 

 

2.1             Planning consent for the erection of a replacement secondary school and ancillary sports facilities on the existing Silverdale School site was granted on 19th December 2006. The new school is one of the developments within the Buildings Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

 

2.2             One of the conditions attached to the planning consent relates to the provision of certain facilities on the highways listed below:-

 

Bents Crescent (waiting restrictions)

Bents Drive (traffic calming measures)

Ecclesall Road South (signal controlled pedestrian crossing)

Ringinglow Road between Bents Drive and Knowle Lane (appropriate pedestrian crossing facility)

 

 

3.1             The signal-controlled crossing on Ecclesall Road South was installed last year in conjunction with Principal Road Network maintenance works and localised widening to provide an inbound bus lane.

 

3.2             Proposals to address the remainder of the planning condition were developed and formed the basis of a comprehensive public consultation exercise. Letters and plans were delivered to all properties potentially affected by the proposals.

 

3.3             Two potential locations for the proposed Puffin crossing on Ringinglow Road and 3 optional treatments on Bents Drive were consulted upon and residents were asked to return a response form indicating their preferred schemes. The covering letter, scheme plans and response forms are shown at Appendix ‘A’ attached to this report.

 

3.4       Copies of the letter and plans were also delivered to the school for distribution to all students attending the school.

 

 

4.1             A copy of a letter outlining the outcome of the consultation exercise is attached at Appendix ‘B’. The letter was delivered to all frontagers who had been included in the initial consultation.

 

4.2       Option ‘B’ was the preferred location identified for the Puffin crossing on Ringinglow Road. Option 3 (ie. the introduction of road humps along the whole length of Bents Drive) was the traffic calming scheme receiving the highest level of support from respondents.

 

 

5.1             Subsequent to receiving that letter, a number of residents indicated they were uncomfortable with provision of road humps on Bents Drive. The prime reason stated (apart from concerns centred around humps causing a potential noise/vibration nuisance and potential damage to vehicles) was that traffic speeds at the start/finish of the school day do not merit the introduction of traffic calming, particularly measures involving vertical deflection.

 

5.2             A total of 25 households indicated their objection to the calming measures, the majority via a pro-forma response slip distributed by two residents. Many of the residents completing the pro-forma also sent letters or e-mails expanding on their reasons for objecting to the proposals. Eight frontagers indicated support for the proposals. There are some 72 properties on or near Bents Drive potentially affected by the scheme.

 

5.3             In view of the level of objection, a further letter was sent out to all residents in April 2008 (copy attached at Appendix ‘C’). This communication outlined the situation and informed residents that Option 1 would now be recommended to this Board as the scheme to be adopted. This is considered to be the “do minimum” option which comprises a narrowing of Bents Crescent, at its junction with Bents Drive (common to all 3 options) and the introduction of a 75mm high plateau at this junction. The plateau will increase the conspicuity of the school entrance and provide formal crossing points at this location, whilst reducing the perceived disadvantages  associated with vertical deflections to a minimum.

 

5.4       Comments received from certain residents in response to that letter re-iterated the resistance to any form of vertical deflection. A number of suggested treatments avoiding the use of humps/plateaux have also been put forward by the objectors. These included build-outs to form chicanes, various types of camera-related enforcement, a 20 mph speed limit, Vehicle Activated Signs, a subsidised bus service, car sharing for pupils and a suggestion to make Bents Drive a no-through-road by means of a barrier. Other suggestions included provision of rumble strips on the approaches to the school or coloured tarmac instead of a raised plateau. None of the suggested measures are considered to be appropriate in this particular situation for a variety of reasons.

 

 

 

6.1                   It would not be possible to simply abandon all traffic calming measures on Bents Drive – the Developer is required to adhere to the conditions attached to the planning consent. Certain objectors are of the view that as the Area Board agreed the condition, it could be removed by the Board. However, as Members are aware, this would require a further planning application from the Developer. There is no indication the Developer and associated Stakeholders wish to pursue this alternative.

 

6.2                   Although certain residents do not feel that vehicular speeds are excessive at school start/finish times, Table 1 below shows the results of a traffic survey to determine two-way traffic flow and vehicle speeds. The survey was undertaken at two locations on Bents Drive approximately 75m each side of the school entrance.

 

Table 1

 

 

Notes:-

 

1.         Figures shown thus           denote total traffic volume for each one-hour time period.

2.         Figures shown thus (31%) denote percentage of hourly flow.

3.         Figures shown thus [69%] denote percentage of traffic travelling at speeds below 25 mph in that time period.

 

6.3                   It is anticipated that provision of a raised plateau on Bents Drive at the school entrance will generally reduce traffic speeds to the range 20 - 25 mph. The alternative suggestion from some respondents to apply coloured tarmac instead of a raised plateau is unlikely to achieve any significant reduction in speed.

 

 

7.1                   There are no particular financial implications associated with this report. However, a CYPD report outlining the overall principle of the re-investment of capital receipts to allow for contingencies for schemes of this nature was submitted to and approved by Cabinet on 22nd February 2006.

Environmental, Equal Opportunity And Property Implications

 

7.2                   There are no particular environmental, equal opportunity or property implications associated with this report.

 

 

8.1                   That the proposals shown on drawing no. TM/ED00119 (Option 1) be approved for construction.

 

8.2                   That all residents submitting representations be informed accordingly.

 

John Bann

Head of Transport & Highways

5th June 2008