Bayham Road, Bells Yew Green

Agenda Item No. 6 Committee: Planning Committee

Date: 21 September 2011

Report By: Director of Economy, Transport and Environment

Title of Report: Traffic Regulation Order – Parking Restrictions, Bayham Road, Bells Yew Green

Purpose of Report: To consider the objections to the Order to introduce parking restrictions and traffic calming proposals on the B2169 at Bells Yew Green

RECOMMENDATION

The Planning Committee is recommended:

(i) not to uphold the objections to the Order; and (ii) to recommend to the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment that the Order be made as proposed

Supporting Information

1. Introduction

1.1 In July 2011 East Sussex County Council gave notice under its powers in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, that it was proposing to make a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce waiting restrictions in Bells Yew Green on the B2169 Bayham Road. A copy of the Order is included in Appendix 1.

1.2 Three objections to the proposals were received prior to the end of the objection period on 19 August 2011. A summary of the objection letters is included in Appendix 2.

2. Comments and Appraisal

2.1 In October 2005 Wealden District Council granted planning permission for the demolition of the existing buildings and erection of a mixed use development of 46 residential properties and a retail shop on the former Rawsons Site at Bells Yew Green (Planning Application No. WD/2005/3255). As a result of the planning permission a financial contribution of £39,120 was secured under a Section 106 Legal Agreement between the Developer and the County Council. This contribution was to be used to fund the cost of the introduction of sustainable transport measures to assist in mitigating the adverse highway and/or transport related impacts of the development on the wider network.

2.2 At a site meeting held with representatives from Frant Parish Council in June 2008 a number of possible options to achieve this objective were discussed. The Parish Council expressed concern about the speed of traffic through the village, safety at the crossroads and the poor bus waiting facilities and the lack of anywhere safe for pedestrian to cross the road.

2.3 As a result of these discussions a scheme was developed which includes the introduction of gateway features at each end of the village and two priority build outs on either side of the crossroads in the village. The northern most build out will include a crossing point to help pedestrians cross the B2169 more safely. The kerb radii on both sides of the C81 (Bells Yew Green Road) junction will also be built out into the road to narrow the junction and provide people with a safe place to wait for the bus. The narrower junction will also help to slow down the turning traffic and shorten the distance for pedestrians crossing Bells Yew Green Road. The

21 centre line will also be removed along parts of the B2169 and new edge of carriageway markings will be provided. A plan of the proposals is included in the Information Pack.

2.4 During the public consultation with the Parish Council and the local residents concern was raised about the number of commuters using Frant Railway Station that were parking in the village. A number of commuters currently park their cars immediately adjacent to the junctions serving the new development now known as Broomfield. This is making it difficult for the residents to see when turning onto the B2169 out of the two new estate roads. Parking restrictions will have to be introduced to ensure that the priority working build outs work safely. It was also decided to provide double yellow lines at the two junctions of the Broomfield development to help improve visibility and thereby make it safer for drivers to turn onto the B2169 Bayham Road.

2.5 A new village shop was also provided on the Bayham Road as part of the development. As part of the consultation, a maximum 1 hour parking restriction was requested near the shop to retain some car parking in the village for visitors and users of the shop. This was also included in the Order which was recently advertised.

2.6 Two of the objections to the advertised Order are that the car parking restrictions should be longer and they should be extended northwards from the access to the railway station to the railway bridge over the B2169. One of the objectors also believes that the double yellow lines should be extended to the junction of Broomfield at the proposed build out near the village hall. Another of the objectors; who chose to remain anonymous, was concerned that the waiting restrictions would displace the commuter parking to other parts of the village. Copies of the objection letters are included in the information pack for Members.

2.7 The extent of the proposed parking restrictions was carefully reviewed after a public meeting in February 2011. Although the proposal involves extending the double yellow lines to a point just beyond the access to the station car park to provide a sight line to the north and help drivers turn out of the station safely, it was decided not to extend them all the way to the railway bridge to try and minimise the number of commuter cars that will be displaced to the surrounding roads. In respect to the request for the double yellow lines being extended to the junction of Broomfield at the build out located near the village hall, it is considered important to retain some parking here to help slow down the traffic through the village.

2.8 As well as the 3 letters objecting to the proposed parking restrictions it should be noted that we have also received 8 letters of support one of which was signed by19 residents from near Broomfield. The proposals were also generally well received by the majority of the residents at a public meeting held in the village hall on 21 February 2011. The supporting letters are summarised in Appendix 3 and a copy of the letters is included in the information pack for Members.

3. Conclusion and Reason for Recommendation

3.1 The parking restrictions are necessary to improve safety in the village but still allow everybody to go about their daily business. A balanced view is needed as parking could potentially be displaced to the surrounding roads. The nature and extent of the restrictions has been carefully examined and they are considered appropriate. As a result it is recommended that the objections are not upheld and the Director of Economy, Transport & Environment advises the Assistant Director - Legal and Democratic Services to make the Order as advertised.

RUPERT CLUBB Director of Economy, Transport and Environment 12 September 2011

Contact Officer: Michael Higgs (01273) 482106 Local Member: Councillor Bob Tidy BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: None

22 Appendix 1

EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

B2169 Bells Yew Green (Traffic calming) (Traffic Regulation) Order 2011

East Sussex County Council, in exercise of their powers under Sections 1(1), 2(1) to (3) and 4(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 ("the Act"), as amended, and of all other enabling powers, after consultation with the Chief Officer of Police in accordance with Part III of Schedule 9 to the Act and the Traffic Management Act 2004, hereby make the following Order:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Paragraph no. This Order may be cited as "B2169 Bells Yew Green (Traffic calming) (Traffic Regulation) Order 2011 and shall come into operation on 12 September 2011.

SCHEDULES

FIRST SCHEDULE NO WAITING AT ANY TIME NO LOADING OR UNLOADING AT ANY TIME

C81 Bells Yew Green Road - from a point 6 metres southwest of the north side north-eastern frontage of `The Brecknock Arms public house’ northeast & north-westwards to the boundary of Nos. 4 & 5 Broomfield, a distance of 117 metres.

B2169 Bayham Road - from a point 1 metre northwest of the southeast side south-eastern frontage of No. 7 Broomfield north-westwards to the north-eastern frontage of No. 8 Broomfield, a distance of 18 metres.

B2169 Bayham Road - from a point 1 metre northeast of the southeast side north-eastern frontage of No. 21 Broomfield to a point 1m south-east of the north-western frontage of No. 22 Broomfield, a distance of 19 metres.

B2169 Bayham Road - from the boundary of Nos. 23 & 24 southeast side Broomfield to a point 1 metre northeast of the north-eastern frontage of No. 25 Broomfield, a distance of 20 metres.

B2169 Bayham Road - from a point 2 metres northeast of the southeast side north-eastern frontage of the property known as LAMBS Larder north- westwards for a distance of 18 metres.

23 B2169 Bayham Road - from a point 13 metres northwest of southeast side the north-western frontage of the property known as LAMBS Larder north-westwards for a distance of 40 metres.

Rushlye Close / - from a point 35 metres south of the C408 Hawkenbury Road / southern frontage of No. 1 Rushlye B2169 Bayham Road Close southwest & north-westwards northwest side / for a distance of 268 metres.

SECOND SCHEDULE WAITING AREA LIMITED TO 1 HOURS IN ANY PERIOD OF 2 HOURS MONDAY – SATURDAY 08:00 AM – 6:00 PM INCLUSIVE

B2169 Bayham Road - from a point 9 metres southeast of the southeast side north-western frontage of the property known as LAMBS Larder north- westwards for a distance of 22 metres.

THE COMMON SEAL of EAST SUSSEX ) COUNTY COUNCIL was affixed hereto on ) the ……………………………………….. in the presence of:- )

Authorised Signatory H & T Ctte. 2.4.74 - para 4.2 joint report of County Secretary & County Engineer - para 4.

24 Appendix 2: Summary of Objection Letters to Proposed Car Parking Order B2169, Bayham Road, Bells Yew Green

Objector Officer’s Comment Recommendation

1. Restricting the car parking It is acknowledged that the parking Not to uphold the around the station will move the restrictions could move the problem on to objection. car parking to Kippings Cross other roads in the village. It is for this Road in Bells Yew Green. This reason that the extent of the parking road is narrower than the Bayham restrictions was carefully reviewed after Road and includes a blind junction the public meeting in February 2011. The on a corner that is already often restrictions need to improve safety and the scene of accidents. As the help with the parking problem near road is narrower the cars will park Broomfield and still allow everybody in the on the verge of the green, and cars village to go about their daily business. It / lorries / buses will have to drive was for this reason it was decided to over the green to get past them. retain some all day parking near This is dangerous and Broomfield and not extend the double unacceptable and has already yellow lines as far as the railway bridge. resulted in unsightly damage to the If the restrictions were any more green. The green is a historic extensive they would move more parking green in an AONB that deserves to on to other locations like Kippings Cross be maintained rather than used as Road and Bells Yew Green Road. an overflow car park.

I would suggest that if the parking If the restrictions were extended to Bells Not to uphold the is to be restricted it should include Yew Green Road and Kippings Cross objection. restrictions in Bells Yew Green Road this would move the problem on to Road including Kippings Cross other locations in the village like Rushlye Road up to Cricketers Close. Close and Cricketers Close. These are residential roads with limited off road parking, so restrictions in these roads would not be appropriate.

Furthermore they would It is not proposed to restrict car parking at Not to uphold the recommend that the car parking is the train station as it is acknowledged that objection. not restricted by Frant Train if restrictions were put in place here it is Station as the road is straight and likely that it would move the car parking wide enough to accommodate car onto other locations in the village. parking, it is nearer the train station and there are no houses immediately fronting the road in this area and it will reduce demand in other areas.

2. The proposed regulation is It is accepted that some car parking Not to uphold the unnecessarily restrictive because contributes to the traffic calming and it is objection. its purpose is to ease traffic flow for this reason that some on street car through Bells Yew Green this does parking in the village is being retained. not require parking to be prohibited Cars will be able to park on the road near at any time. Limited parking along Broomfield where there are no double the stretch before the railway yellow lines. They will also allow cars to station would prevent the all day park on the road for a maximum of 1 hour parking obstruction that currently near the shop. occurs. Some occasional parking in the village contributes to calming traffic and provides for a safer environment.

The impact of the parking It is acknowledged that the parking Not to uphold the prohibition will result in more all restrictions may result in more car parking objection. day parking near the railway bridge by the railway bridge. However, the and make that part of the B2169 extent of the restrictions were carefully more dangerous. Traffic needing considered after the public meeting and it to pass parked vehicles on the was decided not to extend the double B2169 faces oncoming traffic on a yellow lines to the railway bridge as this blind corner. A limited restriction would displace more parking into Rushlye would again prevent all day Close, Kippings Cross Road and parking and lessen that danger. Cricketers Close.

3. The north chicane island is too It is important to keep some car parking Not to uphold the close to the permitted parking on the B2169 as the parked vehicles objection. spaces. When driving south cars provide some calming. If too much is will have to stop to allow north removed we could increase vehicle flowing traffic to have preference, speeds through the village. The double but the latter will be obstructed by yellow lines do extend for 25m from the any permitted parked cars. give way line and there will be sufficient width available for traffic to carefully pass still allowing for 3 or 4 normal cars to park.

The no parking at any time will only The extent of the parking restrictions were Not to uphold the encourage cars to park further to carefully considered after the public objection. the north on the railway side which meeting. It was decided to extend the will impede flow and the double double yellow lines by the station to yellow lines should go to the provide a sightline to the north of the train railway bridge. station access. However, it was decided not to extend the double yellow lines to the railway bridge as this would displace more parking into Rushlye Close, Kippings Cross Road and Cricketers Close.

26 Appendix 3: Summary of Letters in Support to Proposed Car Parking Order B2169, Bayham Road, Bells Yew Green

Supporter Officer’s Comment Recommendation

1. I have looked at the plans and The proposed parking restrictions will To implement the would like to register my approval provide double yellow lines either side of Order as and I look forward to them being the junctions. This will make the junctions advertised. implemented as soon as possible. safer by helping drivers turning onto the Bayham Road see oncoming traffic. I have lived at Broomfield for 3 years and turning onto the Bayham Road is dangerous with cars parked bumper to bumper on both sides of you it is impossible to see if there are oncoming cars.

Trying to cross the Bayham Road The priority working build out near the To implement the with my 2 dogs is also dangerous village hall will include a pedestrian Order as and I have to squeeze through crossing point and the parking restrictions advertised. parked cars whilst checking for will keep the road clear of parked vehicles oncoming traffic. making it safer for pedestrians to cross the road.

2, 3 & 4 We had three letters The extent of the double yellow lines has To implement the supporting the proposals believing been carefully reviewed to help improve Order as they are in the best interests of the safety on the Bayham Road without advertised. village overall. All of the letters displacing too much car parking onto the asked for the double yellow lines at surrounding roads. The double yellow the north of the village to end just lines will extend beyond the red surface to past the station entrance. We do provide a sightline to the north of the not quite know what the village station access. gates will consist of but we assume it will not be possible to park on the red part of the road.

5. Believed it was exactly what As previously discussed we have listened To implement the was needed and would like to to the concerns of the local residents in Order as commend the traffic engineers for the village and tried to take a balanced advertised. listening to the concerns of the view in respect to the extent of the problems of local residents. They proposed car parking restrictions on the expect us to receive objections B2169. The parking occurs as from commuters who park along commuters are understandably trying to the road. Perhaps they can avoid the charges in the railway station explain why there are so many car park. empty spaces in the station car park, equivalent to, or exceeding the number of cars parked on the B2169.

6. Fully support the traffic The car parking restriction and traffic To implement the restrictions being considered for calming will slow the traffic down in the Order as Bells Yew Green. Not only are they village and improve pedestrian safety in advertised. in the best interests of the village the village. but are in the interests of residents of Bayham Road who are regularly inconvenienced by inconsiderate car parking and the speed of traffic through the village. As a parent with young children such restrictions are long overdue, as if the current situation continues I am concerned about the safety of my children as before long there will be a serious accident.

7. Fully support the proposed The car parking restrictions and changes To implement the changes to the parking and road to the road layout will help improve safety Order as layout in Bells Yew Green. Believe in the village. advertised. the proposals are for the best and will improve safety on the road and adjoining junctions taking into account the amount of parked (often illegally) cars along the road.

8. Petition signed by 19 residents – The proposed restrictions will still allow To implement the We the residents and businesses in some car parking on the B2169 near Order as Broomfield have been most affected Broomfield. However, it will prevent advertised. by traffic and parking problems in commuters from parking near the Bells Yew Green and request junctions improving safety for the immediate action in respect to the residents of Broomfield by providing a parking of cars on the B2169. The sightline along the road as they turn out situation has got worse and now onto the B2169. cars are bumper to bumper from the railway station to the Brecknock The proposed traffic calming will also help Arms Pub at Bells Yew Green to slow down the traffic passing through Road. This letter serves to support the village improving safety in Bells Yew the traffic calming from all of the Green. residents. Cars driving at speed have narrowly missed serious accidents. Worse still many parents with children cross the road to visit ‘Minormania’ the children’s play centre opposite and also activities in the village hall. The sightlines for residents coming out of Broomfield is obstructed, and many drivers and pedestrians have reported being almost being hit by speeding cars. Also the Police Community Support Officer is called on a daily basis to deal with illegally parked cars on the corners of Broomfield. As some commuters have seen commuters parking outside of Broomfield it has encouraged them to do the same. The residents have been further affected as deliveries cannot be made to the properties that directly face the road.

28 Traffic Regulation Order –Proposed Parking Restrictions at Bells Yew Green

Pond

Rushlye Wood SL

Bayham Road

Beechwood Car Park

Bells Yew 102.0m

Green LB Cricket Ground

30 to 33 Frant Station Depot The Beeches Anjax 34 to 36 Bells Yew Green Frant

BROOMFIELD Bells Yew Green

Railway 25

9 11

26 23 Station Pavilion 10

8 Post El Sub Sta

105.8m

15 BROOMFIELD RUSHLYE

7 BROOMFIELD 4 15 Village 3

Village

Hall 2 Hall

14 CRICKETERS CLOSE

MS 36.75 RUSHLYE CLOSE

22 21

24 1

B 2169

B2169 Yew Trees

Cedar Church

House

The Manse

Brecknock Arms The GP

(PH)

Pond 110.2m

LB TCB

Camden Villas

Shelter

Prospect

House

Wentways The Pax Tor Old C81 - Bells Yew Post House B 2169 Lowfield Green Road

Stormwell 105.0m

Location Plan Camden House

Wish Wood

Track 117.1m

Site

MP 37

Scale 1:50000

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with Rupert Clubb Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the Rupert Clubb the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office BEng (Hons) CEng MICE Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. BEng (Hons) CEng MICE © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright Director,Director, Economy,Transport Transportand Environment and Environment Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. ScaleScale 1: 1:3000 and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. East Sussex County Council, 100019601, 2007 EastEast SussexSussex CountyCounty CouncilCouncil East Sussex County Council, 100019601, 2011 29