Proposed cycling and pedestrian improvements on A21 Farnborough Way at

Consultation Report October 2013

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Contents

1. Introduction……………………………………………….….……………………..2

2. The Consultation...... ………………………………………………………4

3. Results of the consultation…...... …………………………………………...... 4

4. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….10

Appendix A – copy of consultation letter…………………………..……...….…11

Appendix B – list of stakeholders consulted.……………………………..…….13

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1 Introduction

Background

In 2005 a petition with 100 signatures was received by Transport for (TfL) from ( Member), asking us to provide a signal controlled crossing on the A21 near the junction with Lane North. An investigation into providing improved crossing facilities was initiated the same year resulting in a design consisting of a staggered signal controlled crossing which was consulted on in January 2010. Subsequently it was decided that the scheme was not deliverable as collision data for the road was not sufficient to justify the cost of the scheme or impact on general traffic movements.

An alternative scheme for addressing pedestrian improvements was subsequently designed (as detailed below).

Objectives

The proposals are designed to improve pedestrian and cycling accessibility and connectivity around the A21 Green Street Green roundabout and in particular to provide improved pedestrian and cycle links between A21 Farnborough Way and A21 Way as well as the residential developments in Cudham Lane North and the centre of Green Street Green, without significant impact on general traffic movements.

General Scope of proposals

The proposals would see the introduction of a new wide uncontrolled pedestrian and cycle crossing facility across A21 Farnborough Way, improvements to the existing crossing facility across Cudham Lane North, and improved shared pedestrian and cycle routes.

1.1 Description of the proposals that were consulted on:

 Provide a new 2.5m wide uncontrolled pedestrian and cycle crossing facility across A21 Farnborough Way north of the A21 Farnborough Way/ Green Street Green roundabout

 Widen the footway on the eastern side of A21 Farnborough Way/ Sevenoaks Way and convert to shared use with cyclists. This will connect the existing cycling provisions to the north and south of the roundabout

 Widen the refuge island in the Cudham Lane North junction to approx 5m. This will improve pedestrian and cycling accessibility and connectivity across the roundabout. The entry width of Cudham Lane North will consequently be reduced in width to 4.5m from the existing 7.2m

 A de-cluttering exercise will be undertaken as part of the scheme to rationalise street furniture and remove redundant signage.

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2 Consultation

The consultation was designed to help TfL understand local opinion about the proposed changes to the junction before making a final decision. Letters were sent to stakeholders and residents on 8 July 2013, asking for comments and feedback by 12 August 2013.

The consultation objectives were to:  Give stakeholders and the public enough information about the scheme to allow them to give informed responses (using varied techniques)  Gauge the level of support for or opposition to the scheme  Help understand the background to concerns and objections  Identify any new issues  Allow stakeholders and the public to make suggestions  Allow stakeholders and the public to influence the final decision

2.1 The Audience

The consultation was intended to seek the views of people living close to the roundabout and those who would use the crossing points on the roundabout (i.e. residents and school children) in addition to road users. We also consulted stakeholders including the affected Council, traffic police, London TravelWatch, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members and local interest groups.

2.2 Engagement material, distribution and publicity

The consultation letter which explained the proposals was distributed to approximately 126 properties and 111 stakeholders (See Appendices for copy of the letter and stakeholder distribution list). The letter asked for the respondents to provide feedback and ask questions by 12 August 2013.

We invited people to respond by emailing [email protected], or by online consultation here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/streets/a21-farnborough-way

3 Results of the consultation

3.1 Consultation responses

We received 13 responses to the consultation in total. Of these 11 were received from members of the public and we received 2 responses from stakeholders; Cyclists and the Green Street Green Society. Of all responses, 12 were submitted online and 1 received by email.

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Number of replies 14

12

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4 Number of Responses of Number 2

0 Public Stakeholder Online Email Total Number of replies 11 2 12 1 13

Support for scheme

14

12

10

8

6

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2 Support for the proposals Support

0 Neither opposed or Support Do not support Total support Number of replies 5 1 7 13

The overall number of responses represented a 5% response rate to the consultation.

Of the responses received 33% said they supported the proposals 8% said they did not support the proposals and 59% neither opposed nor support the proposals in full.

Generally, the feedback received was in support of the proposals although the main issues raised were around why the proposed crossing was uncontrolled and also the feeling that a better place to site the crossing would be opposite the Rose & Crown pub where it would be more convenient.

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3.2 Individual stakeholder responses

Bromley Cyclists:

The widening of the refuge/island on the Cudham Lane North arm should be good as it provides cyclists/pedestrians with a larger island to wait on before crossing the second half of the road. Also widening the island means narrowing the road which should reduce traffic speeds as motorists enter/leave the roundabout on this road.

The proposed (uncontrolled) pedestrian island in the middle of the A21 Farnborough Way to the north of this roundabout needs to be a toucan crossing (i.e. with traffic lights). This is too wide and fast a road for an uncontrolled crossing.

Why is the crossing so far from the roundabout? Is it near some bus stops, perhaps? If pedestrians/cyclists want to cross the A21 at the roundabout, why should they have to go all the way to this distant crossing? There ARE traffic-signal crossings across the A21 quite close to the Shire Lane roundabout to the north AND near the Pratts Bottom roundabout to the south, so why not here too?

The proposed, wider "footway" on the eastern side of the A21 to the SOUTH of this roundabout is welcome, as it can be added to the existing facility on the eastern side of the road to the NORTH of the roundabout. But there needs to be some provision for cyclists/pedestrians to get safely across the A223 High Street (Green St Green).

Green Street Green Society

I think that yet again TfL plans do not consider the needs of residents at the southern end of Green Street Green High Street!

There is nowhere for us to safely cross the south of the High Street road at all. We would welcome the proposals made but would wish that the following also be taken into consideration:

 there are a large number of residents who live at the southern end of Green Street Green High Street (past World's End Lane) who were not included in the initial consultation conducted in January 2010 but who have far greater parking problems and general pedestrian needs than seems to be acknowledged. We truly need somewhere where people can cross the road safely. Please can we have a crossing?

 Buses from the Green Street Green garage come down the narrow High Street southbound and turn around the roundabout and THEN start picking up passengers as they head back northbound. If they started out travelling down the A21 and then came up the High Street to pick up passengers this would halve the problem of congestion immediately on our narrow High Street.

A summary of key themes and TfL’s responses has been put into the table below.

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3.2 Issues raised in consultation

Issue TfL Response In the original consultation conducted in January A signal controlled crossing was part of an earlier proposal but was subsequently 2010 the proposals were much more wide ranging considered not to be deliverable due to a TfL’s Smoothing Traffic Flow strategy and highly suitable for this part of this very busy and the economic need to reduce revenue expenditure which would be required road and, more importantly, included a toucan for maintenance of a new signal controlled crossing. For the number of people crossing. Why does this consultation propose an crossing at this location an uncontrolled crossing is considered appropriate. uncontrolled pedestrian crossing? A controlled pedestrian crossing on the existing A signal controlled crossing was part of an earlier proposal but was subsequently traffic island in front of the Rose & Crown pub is considered not to be deliverable. There is an existing uncontrolled crossing point needed, not an uncontrolled crossing. Everyone adjacent to the roundabout exit and we have observed that people prefer to cross crosses the A21 at the Rose & Crown. further away from the roundabout using the narrow part of the island to get to and from the lane leading to the High Street. Unfortunately we cannot safely put a crossing at this location without affecting the accesses. At the location we propose for the crossing there will be one southbound lane of traffic to cross which we consider to be safer than crossing where there are two lanes nearer the roundabout. Reducing the width of the access to Cudham Lane Reducing the width of the exit from the roundabout into Cudham Lane North to North by 2.7m seems hardly a good idea 4.5 metres is intended to make it easier and safer for pedestrians and people on considering the speed at which the traffic enters cycles to cross the road at this point and to reduce the speed of vehicles moving this junction. into Cudham Lane North. The removal of the bus stand at the end of the The High Street is outside the scope of this project. The highway authority for the High Street is long overdue and would make that High Street is the London Borough of Bromley. end of the High Street much safer for everyone - including car drivers. There is no need or requirement to improve this TfL is only responsible for maintenance of roads on the roundabout for cyclists. The funds would be better Road Network (TLRN). Please contact [email protected] if you have employed on trunk road maintenance which has specific concerns about trunk road maintenance and we will do our best to been neglected over recent years. respond to your concerns as soon as possible.

TfL should also add in new road markings at the Lane destination road markings are only be justified where turning flows are highway approaches as follows: consistently heavy throughout the day. Lane destination markings (arrows) reduce lane choice flexibility and would adversely affect the capacity of the

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Direction arrows so vehicles are in correct lanes roundabout, unnecessarily impacting on journey times. for turning left or proceeding ahead or to the right.

A21 in both directions should have two lanes for proceeding forward, all other intersections should have only one with a single left turn or right turn lane.

Road lining on the roundabout to indicate two through lanes in the roundabout on A21, and to add clarity to turning left off of the roundabout.

Why can’t the crossings at this junction be either Zebra crossings cannot be installed at this junction as the speed of the road is Zebras or Pelican / Toucan style crossings? too high (zebra crossings cannot be put roads with speeds over 30mph). It is also not possible to install toucan style crossings at this junction as there is insufficient collision or injury data at the junction to justify a controlled crossing. Can a crossing be installed at the southern end of This request is outside the remit for this scheme. We will however pass the Green Street Green (past World’s End Lane)? request to the appropriate team within TfL for consideration.

Can buses from the Green Street Green garage This request is outside the remit for the proposed scheme. We will however pass started out travelling down the A21 and then came the request to our bus network development team for their consideration. up the High Street to pick up passengers addressing congestion issues on the narrow High Street? Can you narrow the A21 Farnborough Way to 1 The A21 Farnborough Way has one lane in each direction which increases to two lane in each direction? lanes on the approaches to this junction. Removing a traffic lane on each of the approaches would have an unnecessary impact on journey times. Can you install new white line lane markings on Lane markings on roundabouts are considered appropriate only on large the roundabout? roundabouts. The collision history at this junction does not indicate that there is a problem that requires additional markings. TfL needs to widen the already planned extension The width of the traffic island has been maximised and still allows large vehicles of existing traffic island on the north arm of to negotiate the turning. Farnborough Way You should reduce the speed limit on all Design guidance for roundabouts on major roads is that the speed of the

8 approaches to the roundabout to 20 or 30 mph roundabout should be consistent with the speed of the major road. Fill in the Cudham Lane North exit from the Rose & Consent to close any of the Rose & Crown accesses would be required from the Crown car park as it’s an unnecessary hazard owners. We will consult the owners. From a traffic management view it would be helpful to close the access directly from the roundabout.

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4 Conclusion

The proposed improvements on Green Street Green on the A21 Farnborough Way in Bromley have been designed to provide improvements for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road.

In particular the proposals are designed to improve pedestrian and cycling accessibility and connectivity around the A21 Green Street Green roundabout and in particular to provide improved pedestrian and cycle links between A21 Farnborough Way and A21 Sevenoaks Way as well as the residential developments in Cudham Lane North and the centre of Green Street Green.

We have considered the feedback from the consultation and have decided to proceed with the scheme as proposed.

Some respondents requested changes to the proposals which we have concluded are not possible to implement. Details of our response to these requests are shown in the issues raised table in section 3.2 above.

4.1 Next steps

TfL has programmed the work to start in Spring 2014. We will write to local residents and stakeholders with details of construction work in due course.

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Appendix A – Copy of the consultation letter

8 July 2013

Dear Resident

A21 Farnborough Way, Green Street Green proposed cycling and pedestrian improvements

Transport for London (TfL), is currently developing proposals to improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists at the Green Street Green on the A21 Farnborough Way in Bromley.

Objectives

The proposals are designed to improve pedestrian and cycling accessibility and connectivity around the A21 Green Street Green roundabout and in particular to provide improved pedestrian and cycle links between A21 Farnborough Way and A21 Sevenoaks Way as well as the residential developments in Cudham Lane North and the centre of Green Street Green, without significant impact on general traffic movements.

General Scope of proposals

The proposals would see the introduction of a new wide uncontrolled pedestrian and cycle crossing facility across A21 Farnborough Way, improvements to the existing crossing facility across Cudham Lane North, and improved shared pedestrian and cycle routes.

Proposals (also see attached design map):

 Provide a new 2.5m wide uncontrolled pedestrian and cycle crossing facility across A21 Farnborough Way north of the A21 Farnborough Way/ Green Street Green roundabout

 Widen the footway on the eastern side of A21 Farnborough Way/ Sevenoaks Way and convert to shared use with cyclists. This will connect the existing cycling provisions to the north and south of the roundabout

 Widen the refuge island in the Cudham Lane North junction to approx 5m. This will improve pedestrian and cycling accessibility and connectivity across the roundabout. The entry width of Cudham Lane North will consequently be reduced in width to 4.5m from the existing 7.2m

 A de-cluttering exercise will be undertaken as part of the scheme to rationalise street furniture and remove redundant signage.

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All of the proposed measures are subject to change as a result of this consultation and further design work. It is anticipated that these improvements will be implemented by Spring 2014.

How to comment on the proposals:

For further information or to let us know your views, please visit our website at: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/streets/a21-farnborough-way. You can also contact TfL’s Consultation Team at the above address or by emailing [email protected]. Please let us know your views by 12 August 2013.

Yours sincerely

Sara Peters TfL Consultation Delivery Team

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Appendix B – Copy of scheme proposals map

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Appendix C – List of stakeholders consulted

Political stakeholders:

Elected members: Cllr & Pratts

Julian Grainger Bottom Ward [email protected] Huntington- Cllr Chelsfield & Pratts Samaris.huntington- Samaris

Thresher Bottom Ward [email protected] Cllr Chelsfield & Pratts

Russell Jackson [email protected] Bottom Ward

Richard Scoates Cllr Ward [email protected]

Colin Smith Cllr Ward [email protected]

Joseph Johnson MP for [email protected] Assembly Member for Bromley [email protected] Assembly Member – Chair

Transport Committee [email protected] Tony Arbour Assembly Member [email protected]

Andrew Boff Assembly Member [email protected]

Victoria Borwick Assembly Member [email protected]

Tom Copley Assembly Member [email protected]

Stephen Knight Assembly Member [email protected] Fiona Twycross Assembly Member [email protected] Alan Keen MP for Hounslow [email protected] Darren Johnson Assembly Member [email protected] Assembly Member [email protected]

Nicky Gavron Assembly Member [email protected] Murad Quereshi Assembly Member [email protected]

Other stakeholders consulted included:

Greater London Forum for the Elderly The British Dyslexia Association

Campaign for Better Transport National Grid

Asian People’s Disability Alliance Authority

Association of British Drivers Road Haulage Association

Joint Mobility Unit British Motorcyclists Federation

Green Flag Group MIND

EDF Energy Motorcycle Industry Association

Sixty Plus Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Cttee

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Living Streets Disability Alliance

Stroke Association London Travelwatch

London City Airport Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People

RNID Freight Transport Association

London Councils CBI

The Royal Parks Motorcycle Action Group

Thames Water Royal Mail

AA Motoring Trust AA Public Affairs

National Children’s Bureau NHS Trust

London Older People’s Strategy Group RADAR London Access Forum

Port of London Authority RNIB

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association BT

London Underground Age Concern London

Association of Car Fleet Owners

Age UK Sense

Bromley Safe Transport Team Orpington District Transport Users Association

Eltham Public Transport Group Disability Voice Bromley

Bromley Council on Ageing Virtual Norwood Forum