REPORT AGENDA ITEM 9

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS FORUM FOR CHARNWOOD

5TH SEPTEMBER 2012

RESPONSE TO PETITION: REQUEST FOR FURTHER TRAFFIC SURVEYS AND MEASURES TO ADDRESS TRAFFIC VOLUMES THROUGH AND BARKBY THORPE

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT

Purpose of Report

1. To report the outcome of investigations and advise the forum of the options available to deal with reported problems of rat running from commuter and shopping traffic through the villages of Barkby and Barkby Thorpe.

The Petition

2. The petition containing 128 signatures was received on 20 th December 2011 from Mr Parsons CC, on behalf of the lead petitioner Mrs P Green. The petition was presented to this Forum on the 17 th January 2012.

The wording of the petition is as follows:

Barkby and Barkby Thorpe Parish Council As residents of the parishes of Barkby and Barkby Thorpe we are intensely aware that the volume of “rat-run” and shopping traffic from all directions through our villages has reached an intolerable level. We fully support our parish council’s campaign to persuade the highways authorities to conduct a new census of traffic volumes and then to propose measures which will properly address the problem.

Press coverage at the time of the presentation of the petition to Mr Parsons also highlighted concerns of the petitioners over the effect on traffic of any future development in the area.

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Background

3. The villages of Barkby and Barkby Thorpe are located to the east of and and north of Hamilton and the City.

When travelling between north east and the City motorists have the option of driving through the two villages via Barkbythorpe Road, Queen Street, Thorpe Lane and Road, in preference to the main A46/A607 arterial route via the ‘Hobby Horse’ roundabout.

Measures to prompt motorists to use the more suitable A46/A607 route were installed in 2007 during LTP2 (2006-2011) under the objective of Reducing the Impact of Traffic. The measures consisted of a series of speed cushions and priority village gateway narrowings. These were specifically targeted at the north/south routes through the villages, as being the most likely to be affected by potential diversions from the A607/A563 (outer ring road) and traffic generated from the Barkby Road, Syston residential development through which the measures were partly funded.

Assessment Criteria

4. Under our third Local Transport Plan (LTP3) all requests for traffic management measures must now achieve at least one of the six outlined objectives. Of the six objectives the following two are the most relevant in assessing traffic management measures, including requests for traffic restraint measures to reduce rat running:

• To improve road safety • To improve quality of life

Outcome of investigations

5. The request has therefore been assessed against the above objectives.

To improve road safety . There have been a total of 10 accidents over a 5 year period between 2007 and 2011 in Barkby and Barkby Thorpe resulting in 12 slight personal injuries. The accidents occurred at various different locations and show no clear pattern. Furthermore, of the 10 accidents only 2 occurred when traffic volumes were at there highest during the morning and afternoon peak periods. The prevailing record of accidents therefore does not support the introduction of further traffic deterrent measures.

To improve quality of life . 2

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Whilst this is more difficult to quantify, LTP3 does state two quantifiable areas which are likely to affect quality of life, these are noise and air pollution. A number of transport-related factors impact on air quality and noise levels including traffic volume. In addition, localised noise issues can arise from increased vehicle speeds and from the presence of heavy goods vehicles in populated areas. a). Vehicle speeds Recorded vehicle speeds taken at various locations in both villages indicate that speeds are generally compliant with the 30mph speed limit. The existing traffic calming features and the general road layout through the villages help maintain speeds below 35mph (the level at which the Association of Chief Police Officers recommends enforcement action within a 30mph speed limit). b). Traffic volumes A new survey of traffic volumes has been carried out using data collected from the County Councils three permanent automatic traffic counters located on Queen Street and King Street, Barkby Thorpe and Barkby Road, Queniborough (as shown in appendix A). The results show that despite slight increases in 2010 and 2011 there has been a gradual reduction in traffic levels, between 6- 17% since the counters were installed in 2005 . (see table below)

Barkby Rd, Barkbythorpe Rd, King Street,

Queniborough Barkby Thorpe Barkby Thorpe

Average Annual Average Annual Average Annual Year Weekday Traffic Flow Weekday Traffic Flow Weekday Traffic Flow

(24hr) (24hr) (24hr)

2005 6150 7316 3950 2006 6597 7983 4013 2007 5819 7205 4855 2008 5377 6708 4100 2009 4776 5932 3934 2010 4979 6491 4772 2011 5088 6558 3396 c). Existing traffic restraint measures The features installed in 2007 provided the appropriate level of treatment judged appropriate to deter through traffic. The measures balanced the requirement to deter some peak hour vehicle movements without being too punitive to local residents who may have to journey through the features many times per day, including regular passage of agricultural vehicles.

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d). Lorry restrictions Both villages are subject to a 7.5 tonnes weight restriction (except for loading) with appropriate signing in evidence. A road narrowing on Barkby Thorpe Road, Thurmaston acts as a further physical deterrent to heavy goods vehicles. Any residents concerned about lorries using weight restricted routes should contact the police at: [email protected] . Alternatively they can contact the police on 0116 222 2222. e). General route signing The villages of Barkby and Barkby Thorpe are purposely omitted from destination signs on the A607 and the A563 (outer ring road), in an attempt to avoid rat-running.

Impact of future developments

6. The origin and destination of development traffic generated by 320 proposed residential dwellings in Hamilton was a key issue in the County Councils determination of this application. At the pre-application stage the County Council made it clear that it would not support a vehicular access directly onto Hamilton Lane for many of the same reasons raised by local residents. This access was subsequently withdrawn from the proposals.

Using data extrapolated from the LLITM ( & Leicestershire Integrated Transport Model) around 4% of the development traffic is forecast to use Barkbythorpe Road. On the basis of the total peak hour flows of the proposed development the number of additional trips is considered to be negligible in comparison with background flows, and also when compared to the numbers stated in our observations that will use Humberstone Lane. The County Council can only insist that developers mitigate against their own impacts where there is a material increase in traffic and/or congestion arising directly from that development. Supporting a request for further highway improvements, including traffic deterrent measures, in Barkby and Barkby Thorpe, would prove difficult if the County Council was challenged at an appeal or public inquiry, when the extent of traffic forecast to use Barkbythorpe Road is so small.

7. Charnwood Borough Council (CBC) are currently considering options for housing and employment growth including a North East Leicester SUE as part of their Core Strategy Planning Document. It is currently understood that CBC are aiming to publish their Pre-Submission Core Strategy in the autumn before submission to the Secretary of State at the end of the year.

To align with the Regional Spatial Strategy, which is still extant, a significant proportion of the proposed allocation for housing across the borough needs to be provided on the edge of the Principal Urban Area of Leicester.

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Accordingly, an area to the east of Thurmaston and north of Hamilton forms one of the options that are currently being considered by the Borough Council, along with other potential locations which could include Birstall, Anstey and Syston.

We would expect the Borough Council to publish an evidence base that underpins their Core Strategy, including the outcomes of transport modelling work. We would also expect the Core Strategy to set out how the preferred options for growth will be accommodated on the local and strategic highway networks. This is in the interests of ensuring the negative impacts of growth are mitigated as far as is reasonably possible and the necessary improvements, including any traffic deterrent measures, are delivered on the transport network.

Network Management Plan

8. Over the next 12 months, the County Council will be developing a new network management plan which will include policy and guidance on a number of traffic management issues, including rat running. The issues relating to this particular location will be considered in the development of this document.

Conclusion

9. When considered against the objectives of LTP3, there is currently insufficient justification to recommend the introduction of further traffic restraint measures in Barkby and Barkby Thorpe.

10. The effects of any future development in the area will be considered if or when planning applications are submitted, as developers are required to mitigate against the effects of any extra traffic created by their proposals

Officer to Contact

David Wright Tel: (0116) 305 5080 Email: [email protected]

Background Papers

The petition containing 128 signatures is held on the Chief Executive's Department petition file.

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