For Discussion at Reports Meeting On

10 PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL 10/277

Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee – 26 May 2010

A977 MITIGATION MEASURES

Report By Depute Director (Environment)

This report details the revised mitigation measures proposed for the A977 as a result of extensive consultation with the affected communities and Kinross-shire Elected Members. It also outlines the position on the options for future funding for measures on the A977.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee is asked to agree:-

(i) To implement the measures as detailed in Appendix 2 within the available budget;

(ii) To note that the Scottish Government is unlikely to provide further funding for measures on the A977, whilst TACTRAN considers improvements along the A977 as a long term aspiration.

(iii) To agree that Full Business Cases be prepared for the three roundabouts (priorities 8, 9 and 10) in order that these schemes may compete for further Capital funding.

BACKGROUND

1. In October 2006, the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee agreed to accept financial support (£250,000) from the Scottish Executive towards mitigation measures on the A977. This funding was offered followed representations from the Council, Elected Members and the local communities for mitigation measures on the A977 after the construction of the Clackmannanshire Bridge and resultant impact of traffic levels on local communities. The Committee also agreed to the implementation of the measures and for the Executive Director (Environment) to pursue the funding shortfall with the Scottish Executive and via TACTRAN.

2. In January 2009, the Council received £250,000 from Transport Scotland and design work on the agreed measures commenced.

3. The mitigation measures agreed, were formulated and prioritised by the community and Elected Members at that time. The list is detailed at Appendix 1. However, it was recognised that £250,000 was short of the total funding required to implement all of the measures on the list and in order to fully utilise the funding, it was recommended that whilst items 1 to 5 should be tackled as listed, item 7 should be implemented instead of item 6. Item 6 would then become the first priority for future funding.

265 4. In June 2009, the Puffin Crossings at Powmill and Blairingone (Priorities 3 and 4 - Appendix 1) were installed. These works cost £53,000, leaving a budget of £197,000.

5. In October 2009, preliminary drawings showing the remainder of the proposals (Priorities 1, 2, 5, 6 & 7) were presented to Fossoway and District Community Council and Elected Members. At and following the meeting, the communities expressed their concerns about the proposals and indicated that they no longer wanted the measures originally agreed, but wished the list to be revised.

PROPOSALS

Mitigation Measures

6. In December 2009, Council Officers met with the four Kinross-shire Elected Members and representatives of Kinross and Fossoway & District Community Councils and F.O.R.K. (Friends of Rural Kinross-shire) to discuss the views and suggestions of the communities in relation to suitable measures for the A977 and to agree the way forward.

7. A revised list of measures was subsequently drawn up and the measures investigated by Council Officers in January 2010. The proposals were then re- submitted to the Community Councils, F.O.R.K. and the four Elected Members for further comment. The list of measures has now been agreed and is attached at Appendix 2. However, in summary these include:

• Purchase and utilisation of 7 No. vehicle activated signs; • Upgrade, improvement and provision of footways; • Installation of a bus build-out and 2No. bus shelters; • Provision of 2No. Puffin Crossings at Drum and Crook of Devon; • Introduction of a 40mph speed limit between Turfhills Farm and the existing 30mph speed limit; • Removal and upgrading of traffic signs and road markings.

8. There are a number of existing vehicle activated sign sites on the A977 to encourage lower vehicle speeds and it is proposed to continue to utilise these along with the new sites. It is proposed that seven new signs be acquired however four of the new signs will be erected at two junctions (A823 to the north of Powmill and U246 Balado village) and will therefore operate on a permanent basis at these locations.

9. It is also proposed to contact Transport Scotland, to determine whether it would be appropriate for the existing and new Puffin Crossing facilities on the A977 to “sit on red for drivers”, to encourage them to reduce their speeds. However, there may be safety implications with this proposal and advice from Transport Scotland and our Traffic Signal Contractor will be sought before any decision is made.

266 Traffic Volumes

10. Since the opening of the Clackmannanshire Bridge in November 2008, a series of traffic surveys have been undertaken along the A977. Sites have included sections of the road subject to the national speed limit and within the various settlements. The most recent data was recorded in March 2010.

11. In summary, the results of the surveys show that there has been no noticeable increase in the total volume of traffic, volume of HGV traffic or vehicle speeds along the A977 since the opening of the bridge. However, there has been a slight increase on the volume of OGV (other goods vehicles) traffic.

12. Traffic patterns along this route will continue to be monitored to help balance road safety with traffic mobility objectives.

Accidents

13. There are no accident clusters along the route. Historically, there was an accident pattern on the A977 between Turfhills and Drum. To address the rural collisions, the direction and warning signs were upgraded in 2002 as part of a Route Action Plan. Junction bollards were installed at public road junctions. No changes were made to the urban signs at that time.

14. From 2003, this section of the route has been subject to enforcement by Tayside Safety Camera Partnership. Since deployment of the safety cameras, accident numbers and casualty severity have reduced (although it has not been possible to confirm any direct correlation). Ongoing traffic and casualty monitoring continues quarterly, on behalf of the Camera Partnership.

Future Funding for the A977

15. Given that Transport Scotland has provided £250,000 towards mitigation measures on the A977, it is unlikely that the Scottish Government will provide any further funding.

16. Improvements along the A977 have also been referred to in TACTRAN’s Regional Transport Strategy as a long term measure. Whilst recognising there will be benefits in carrying out improvement works, it is unlikely there will be any shorter term funding for this project and it will remain a longer term aspiration. In the short to medium term, projects within the region which have proved better from a cost benefit analysis perspective, will be implemented first, funding permitting.

17. The communities have expressed their wish to pursue the implementation of the three roundabouts on the A977 (Priorities 8, 9 and 10 on the list at Appendix 1). It is therefore proposed that Full Business Cases be prepared for each of these in order that they may compete for future capital funding.

267 CONSULTATION

18. The Head of Legal Services, the Head of Democratic Services, the Head of Finance and Tayside Police have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

19. The four Kinross-shire Elected Members, Kinross Community Council, Fossoway and District Community Council and F.O.R.K were involved in the development of the revised proposals and have therefore been fully consulted.

RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

Capital

20. The funds from Transport Scotland (£197,000) will be fully utilised to implement the measures listed at Appendix 2.

21. £40,000 has also been allocated from the Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Budget to fund the proposed Puffin Crossing in Crook of Devon, as this has also been identified through the school travel planning process.

Revenue

22. The ongoing maintenance costs for the mitigation measures (traffic signs, footways, road markings, rumble strips) are estimated at £12,000 per annum. This will be identified as a budget pressure and will be prioritised from the Roads Maintenance budget from 2011/12.

23. The ongoing maintenance and power costs for the 2No. Puffin Crossings are estimated at £850 each and will be identified as a budget pressure and met by the Traffic & Road Safety UTC budget.

24. The ongoing maintenance, rotation and power costs for the 3No. VA signs are estimated at £1,000 each and will be met by the Traffic & Road Safety AIP budget.

COUNCIL CORPORATE PLAN OBJECTIVES 2009-2012

25. The Council’s Corporate Plan 2009-2012 lays out five Objectives which provide clear strategic direction, inform decisions at a corporate and service level and shape resources allocation. This report impacts on the following:-

(i) A Safe, Secure and Welcoming Environment (ii) A Prosperous, Sustainable and Inclusive Economy

EQUALITIES IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EqIA)

26. An equality impact assessment needs to be carried out for functions, policies, procedures or strategies in relation to race, gender and disability and other

268 relevant protected characteristics. This supports the Council’s legal requirement to comply with the duty to assess and consult on relevant new and existing policies.

27. The function, policy, procedure or strategy presented in this report was considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) with the following outcome:

i. Assessed as relevant and actions taken to reduce or remove the following negative impacts: If budgeted costs are exceeded it will be necessary to liaise with the communities to determine what measures will not be implemented. ii. Assessed as relevant and the following positive outcomes expected following implementation: potentially improved road safety and traffic mobility for all road users and a positive feeling of wellbeing which speed reducing measures and traffic management generally bring.

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

28. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a legal requirement under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 that applies to all qualifying plans, programmes and strategies, including policies (PPS).

29. However, in this instance, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report because they do not constitute a PPS as defined by the Act.

CONCLUSION

30. This report details proposals for mitigation measures on the A977 using funding given to the Council from Transport Scotland. These measures have been formulated in full consultation with the four Kinross-shire Elected Members and the communities adjacent to the A977. The report also outlines the options for obtaining further funding for measures on the A977.

JIM VALENTINE DEPUTE DIRECTOR (ENVIRONMENT)

NOTE

The following background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (and not containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to a material extent in preparing the above Report; (list papers concerned)

• Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee Item 664 October 2006

Contact Officer: Jillian Robinson, Ext No 77291, [email protected] Address of Service: Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD Date of Report 18 May 2010

269 If you or someone you know would like a copy of this document in another language or format, (on occasion only, a summary of the document will be provided in translation), this can be arranged by contacting Alma Murray, Equalities Assistant on 01738 476558 or [email protected]

Council Text Phone Number 01738 442573

270 Appendix 1

List of Measures

Priority Proposal Indicative Comments Cost 1 Improved public transport £25,000 Encourages public transport infrastructure usage, and may reduce traffic volumes on A977 2 Improved cycle facilities on £50,000 Encourages sustainable parallel routes transport choice, and may reduce traffic volumes on A977 3 Puffin-type pedestrian £32,000 Encourages pedestrian activity crossing in Blairingone and improves accessibility, and may help reduce traffic speeds on A977 4 Puffin-type pedestrian £32,000 Encourages pedestrian activity crossing in Powmill and improves accessibility, and may help reduce traffic speeds on A977 5 Footway link on east verge, £33,000 Encourages pedestrian activity between A823 and Milkbar at and accessibility Powmill 6 Widen footways and £40,000 Encourages walking and cycling, pedestrian/cycle crossing and is likely to be a road safety Points at A977/M90 benefit at this junction interchange 7 Footway/cycleway in south £78,000 Encourages pedestrian activity verge from Balado and accessibility To Turfhills 8 Roundabout at the £250,000 Reduces through traffic speeds A977/B913 junction at on A977 Blairingone 9 Roundabout at the £250,000 Reduces through traffic speeds A977/B9097 junction at on A977 Crook of Devon/Drum 10 Roundabout at the £250,000 Reduces through traffic speeds A977/Service Station on A977 junction TOTAL £1,040,000 Total items 1 to 5 plus Item 7 £250,000

271

272 Appendix 2

List of Revised Measures

Proposal Cost Comments (£) BLAIRINGONE

Upgrade footway between Windy 13,000 Edge and village Install rumble strips on approaches 700 to village 1 new vehicle activated sign site - *See costs for VA signs. (east end of village) Upgrade, removal and relocation 7,750 of signs; provision of central island; cut back vegetation

POWMILL

Footway link on east verge 21,000 Included on original list of between A823 and Milk Bar measures. 2No. new vehicle activated sign - *See costs for VA signs. sites (west of Devonshaw and Aldi Road) Upgrade, removal and relocation 1,000 of signs in vicinity of A823 junction; cut back vegetation Install 2No. junction vehicle - *See costs for VA signs. activated signs (solar powered) Install bus shelter at Gartwhinzean 7,000 Loan Install junction warning and 500 repeater signs on western approach to village Remove and alter signs on eastern 350 approach to village

CROOK OF DEVON

Removal of signs on western 100 approach; cut back vegetation Provision of bus build-out outside 3,000 shop to facilitate safe parking and assist public transport users Removal of speed limit countdown 900 and repeater signs; extend hatching; improve Drum/Crook of

273 Devon gateway signs Provision of Puffin crossing in 40,000 Remove of speed limit vicinity of Institute; remove part- required to accommodate time 20mph speed limit crossing facility. 3No. new vehicle activated sign - *See costs for VA signs. sites at east end of village Provision of Puffin crossing in 40,000 vicinity of Drum crossroads

A977 BETWEEN CROOK OF DEVON AND M90 INTERCHANGE

Dropped kerbs at cyclist crossing 2,000 point at Balado Install 2No. junction vehicle - *See costs for VA signs. activated signs in vicinity of Balado (solar powered) Provision of new bus shelter at 7,000 Balado crossroads Widen footway on north side of 33,000 road between Services and Balado Introduction of a 40mph speed limit 1,200 between Turfhills Farm and existing 30mph speed limit; improve signing at Services junction; provide reflective bollards at Services and Dobbies junctions

TOTAL 178,500 *7No. VA signs 24,500 Traffic Surveys 1,200 Admin/Design Costs 17,000 TOTAL COSTS 221,200

274 Appendix 3

Location Plans for Existing and Proposed VA Sign Sites

U215

A977

Replacement 30mph VA sign New 30mph VA sign

U123

PerthPerth && KinrossKinross CouncilCouncil (c)(c)(c) CrowCrowCrow n n n copyrightcopyrightcopyright andandand databasedatabasedatabase rightrightright (2010).(2010).(2010). AllAll rightsrights reserved.reserved. OrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurvey LicenceLicence numbernumber 100016971.100016971.

Vehicle activated signs at Blairingone

275 A823

A977

New 30mph VA sign

Replacement 30mph VA sign

New 40mph VA sign A823

PerthPerth && KinrossKinross CouncilCouncil (c)(c)(c) CrownCrownCrown copyrightcopyrightcopyright andandand databasedatabasedatabase rightrightright (2010).(2010).(2010). AllAll rightsrights reserved.reserved. OrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurvey LicenceLicence numbernumber 100016971.100016971.

Vehicle activated signs at Powmill and A823 junction

276 U222

New 40mph VA signs

B9097 A977 New 30mph VA sign

Replacement 30mph VA sign

Vehicle activated signs at Crook of Devon / Drum

B918

New "Side Road Ahed" VA signs

A977 Old A977 at Balado

PerthPerth && KinrossKinross CouncilCouncil (c)(c)(c) CrownCrowCrow n n copyrightcopyrightcopyright andandand databasedatabasedatabase rightrightright (2010).(2010).(2010). AllAll rightsrights reserved.reserved. OrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurvey LicenceLicence numbernumber 100016971.100016971.

Vehicle activated signs at Balado junction

277

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