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Page 59 Agenda Item 8 Page 59 Agenda Item 8 London Borough of Sutton Carshalton and Clockhouse Area Committee - 5 July 2006 Report of the Interim Head of Transport, Planning and Works MEDLAND CLOSE, HACKBRIDGE – PROPOSED DESIGNATED CYCLE ROUTE. Ward Location: Wandle Valley Author(s) and Contact Phone Number(s): Lynn Robinson 0208 770 6461 Area Served: Wandle Valley Lead Councillor: Colin Hall Report for Decision Summary In a continuing commitment to improve Sutton’s cycle network this scheme is to designate a cycle route between Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), an environmentally friendly development in Hackbridge, and the London and National cycle route, which runs adjacent to the river Wandle. It is proposed that the Pelican crossing on London Road be converted to a Toucan Crossing and that the existing path on Medland Close be widened to accommodate cyclists. This report asks Committee to approve the designation of a new cycling route and all works associated with that route. Recommendations I recommend the Committee to: a. Support the designation of a cycle route between BedZED and the existing local and national cycle route on Culvers Avenue/Wandle Trail; b. Authorise the Interim Executive Head of Planning Transport and Highways, in consultation with Ward Members to make minor changes to the design of the cycle scheme as shown of drawing no T8020_FD_01 and to implement the scheme subject to no material objections being received during the consultation period; c. Authorise the Interim Executive Head of Planning, Transport and Highways to convert the Pelican Crossing on London Road near Medland Close to a Toucan crossing and to carry out all associated works, subject to approval by Transport for London’s Traffic Signal Section; d. Agree to the removal of lengths of footway under section 66(4) of the Highways Act (1980) and approve the construction of cycle tracks under section 65(1) of the Act as shown on drawing number T8020_FD_01 and subject to receiving no material objections during the consultation period; and e. Agree to the conversion of some of the grass verge on the eastern side of London Road being converted to a cycle track and note that, if necessary a planning application will be submitted in due course. 1 Agenda Item 8 Page 60 f. Subject to the outcome of the consultation period and securing necessary approvals, Strategy Committee is requested to amend capital estimates by £65,000 and release financial provision. 1. Background 1.1 Officers have a continuing commitment to improve Sutton’s cycle network. BedZED is a zero energy development in Hackbridge that has a legally binding green transport plan. BedZED has been designed to encourage alternatives to car use and generous bike storage space has been provided on site so improving cycle routes to the site is a priority. 1.2 Approximately 450m to the west of BedZED, London Cycle Network Route 24 and National Cycle Network Route 20 both travel across Culvers Avenue and along the Wandle Trail adjacent to the river Wandle. To reach these cycle routes, from BedZED, requires that cyclists cross London Road, where there is a Pelican Crossing but no cycle facilities. Cyclists can then travel along Medland Close to Culvers Avenue. Currently there are no signs informing the cyclist if cycling is allowed or prohibited on this path. 1.3 For approximately 100m west of London Road, Medland Close is a 5m wide un-made surface road with no footways servicing 4 properties. The remainder of Medland Close, approximately 200m, is closed to vehicular traffic. There is a sealed tarmac path over this section that is approximately 2.1m wide and is lit by a series of streetlights. Culvers House Primary School is situated along the northern edge of the path and there is a pathway leading from the footpath in question into the school. 1.4 Officers have been unable to locate any legal documents relating to the closure of Medland Close. However, a Committee decision was made in 1964 that Medland Close (which was then still called Culvers Avenue) ‘ should be reserved for and made convenient for the use of pedestrians only’ and that bollards be erected to prevent the use of the road by through vehicular traffic. This was because at the time, a large number of pedestrians who worked at the nearby premises of Mullard Ltd were using the footpath and the junction of Medland Close with London Road was considered unsatisfactory for vehicles because of poor sightlines. 1.5 According to official records at H.M. Land Registry, the freehold land that now forms Medland Close and a section of Culvers Avenue was conveyed to the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Sutton on 13 April 1964. At the time the whole section of road was known as Culvers Avenue and it was an unmade road. The title number of this property is SY317705. 1.6 It is intended that if this cycle link is successfully implemented, that in the future officers will look to extend it through to the gravel extraction works to form a link between the existing cycle network and Hackbridge Station, Wandle Valley Country Park, Beddington Park and Beddington Lane. 2. Issues 2.1 Transport for London, under an initiative called Greenways - Cycling has allocated £65,000 to the borough for the implementation of this scheme in 2006/2007. 2.2 Pedestrian and cycle counts were undertaken on Tuesday 17 and Saturday 14 May 2005 between 7am and 7pm. The highest flow of pedestrians was 251 in one hour from 3pm to 4pm on Tuesday. This was due to the large number of families going home from the nearby school. The count also recorded an average of 2 people per 2 Page 61 Agenda Item 8 day having walking difficulties and 1 person per day with visual impairments. The highest flow of cyclists was 8 in one hour, from 2pm to 3pm on Saturday. 2.3 It is proposed that this track be widened to 3.5m and that this area be shared area by cyclists and pedestrians. The guard railing that is currently in place at either end of the path will remain to prevent the use of the path by motorcyclists, however this railing may need to be modified slightly to improve access for people in wheelchairs and for those with pushchairs. The scheme would include the erection of traffic signing to warn of a shared path and tactile paving to warn the visually impaired of the presence of cycling. 2.4 In the absence of any legal order closing this road to through traffic, it is believed that all that would be required to legally allow cycling on this path is the approval of the Area Committee. However it is intended that public consultation take place before making any changes to ensure that all local residents can give their comments on the scheme. The results of the consultation will be discussed with Ward Councillors. 2.5 The conversion of the Pelican Crossing on London Road to a Toucan Crossing will require works to widen the crossing point and reposition the signals. The footways on either side of the crossing will need to be removed and replaced with shared areas of footway/cycleway to allow cyclists to reach the crossing. This can be done following consultation under sections 66 (4) and 65 (1) of the Highways Act 1980. The areas that will need conversion to cycleways are shown on drawing no. T8020_FD_01. 2.6 At the present time there are problems with getting traffic signal works implemented as the Traffic Signal Section of Transport for London, who install and operate all signals, are experiencing problems with staff shortages and high demand for their services. This situation may delay the proposed conversion of the Pelican Crossing into a Toucan Crossing so may result in the scheme being implemented in two phases. 2.7 In order to complete a cycle route to BedZED, a 2m wide section of the grass verge on the eastern side of London Road will require conversion to a cycleway. Planning permission may need to be sought to construct this new cycleway. 2.8 The Traffic Management Act 2004 imposes a network management duty on all local authorities to manage their road network with a view to achieving, so far as may be reasonably practical having regard to their obligations, policies and objectives, the expeditious movement of traffic, including cycles, on the authorities road network. The action which the authority may take in performing that duty includes, in particular, any action which they consider will contribute to securing the more efficient use of their road network or the avoidance, elimination or reduction of road congestion or other disruption to the movement of traffic on their road network. 3. Financial Implications Group Finance Comments 3.1 The total costs for these works are estimated to be £65,000. 3.2 Transport for London Street Management has allocated £65,000 to the Borough for the implementation of this scheme in 2006-07 Strategic/Corporate Finance Comments 3 Agenda Item 8 Page 62 3.3 This scheme is being funded under a new Transport for London initiative called Greenways - Cycling. This is separate and complementary to the Borough Spending Plan process. 3.4 Subject to the outcome of the consultation period and securing necessary approvals, Strategy Committee is requested to amend capital estimates by £65,000 and release financial provision. 4. Influence of the Council’s Core Values 4.1 By introducing a safe infrastructure for cyclists to ride along, promoting cycling as a healthy way of living and a sustainable alternative to the car, this will contribute directly to investing wisely for the future, protecting human and natural resources to ensure a healthy environment for present and future generations.
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