A4 Great West Road Proposed toucan crossing with the junction of Ridgeway Road December 2015 A4 Great West Road Proposed toucan crossing with the junction of Ridgeway Road Contents 1 Background ................................................................................................................ 3 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 3 3 The consultation ......................................................................................................... 4 4 Overview of consultation responses ............................................................................ 6 5 Responses from members of the public ...................................................................... 8 6 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders ......................................... 12 7 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 14 Appendix A – Copy of letter to occupiers of 719 and 721 Great West Road ........................ 15 Appendix B – Copy of letter and drawing to other residents ................................................ 18 Appendix C – Copy of the bus stop notice ........................................................................... 21 Appendix D – List of stakeholders consulted ....................................................................... 22 Appendix E – Response to issues raised ............................................................................ 23 1 Background This scheme was identified in response to requests from Isleworth and Syon School and Hounslow residents for a safe place to cross the A4 near the junction of Ridgeway Road. The nearest available at grade crossings are 350 and 400 meters away at the adjacent junctions. At the moment, pedestrians crossing the A4 are doing so via the narrow central reservation, particularly in the vicinity of the bus stops serving the H91. The scheme will aim to improve safety and confidence for both pedestrians and cyclists, and formalise the crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians in the area. 2 Introduction We proposed to provide a new ‘staggered’ toucan crossing on the A4 Great West Road, west of its junction with Ridgeway Road. It has been observed that a high number of pedestrians (including pupils from Isleworth and Syon Boys School) cross the A4 at this point. The particularly busy nature of the A4 and the speed of vehicles using it makes pedestrian safety the main reason for providing a formal place for pedestrians and cyclists to cross. This has been highlighted by the School and its Parent Teacher Association, who have asked TfL to provide such a crossing (similar to that created near Lampton School). Preliminary designs were developed which included siting the proposed crossing to either the east or the west of Ridgeway Road. Following careful consideration, the option to site the toucan crossing to the east of Ridgeway Road was rejected because it was not on the required desire line (that is, existing path taken by pedestrians) to the nearest bus stop. 2.1 Purpose of the Scheme The overall aim of the scheme is to provide a formal crossing point from a nearby school to bus stops, recreational and other amenities. We proposed to install a signal controlled staggered toucan (cycle and pedestrian) crossing 20 metres to the west of Ridgeway Road. 2.2 Descriptions of the proposals To do this we would need to: Widen the carriageway on the north side to maintain the 3-lane configuration (in order to create a safe waiting area in the middle of the carriageway) Widen the central reservation by 2 metres to create a safe waiting area Move the eastbound bus stop (located on the northern side of the A4) by 5.5 metres 3 Create a shared surface for pedestrians and cyclists around nearby bus stops and the crossing point. Tactile paving and signage would be used to indicate that the area is shared by pedestrians and cyclists Move and replant existing trees and/or plant new ones (resulting in no overall loss to the number of trees in place) Remove one parking bay located outside 719 and 721 Great West Road. 2.3 Location maps A map showing the location of the scheme can be found in Appendix A. 3 The consultation Consultation between 4 June and 3 July 2015 was designed to enable TfL to: Raise awareness of the scheme amongst local residents, stakeholders and the public Explain the proposals Provide an opportunity for people to tell us what they think about the proposals Potential outcomes of all TfL’s consultations are that we: Decide the consultation raises no material issues that prevent us from proceeding with the scheme as originally planned Modify the scheme in response to issues raised by consultation Abandon the scheme as a result of issues by the consultation The objectives of the consultation were to: Give stakeholders and the public clear and accessible information about the proposals to enable them to respond Understand the level of support for, or opposition to, the proposal Understand any issues that might affect the proposed crossing which we were not previously aware of Understand concerns and objections Allow respondents to make suggestions 3.1 Who we consulted Public consultation sought the views of people living close to the location of the proposed toucan crossing, users of the bus routes affected by bus stop 4 changes, and users of other local facilities (such as local churches, sports facilities and the local Magistrates Court). To achieve this, letters setting out the proposal were hand delivered to 563 households, businesses and other organisations in the area on 5 June 2015. We also consulted stakeholders including Hounslow Council, London TravelWatch, the Metropolitan Police, the London Fire Brigade, Members of Parliament, London Assembly Members, local councillors, local schools, churches, and other businesses. A list of the stakeholders we consulted is shown in Appendix D. A summary of their responses is given in Section 6. 3.2 Consultation material, distribution and publicity Letters and accompanying drawings explaining the proposed scheme were distributed to 563 local households and businesses. Copies of the letters and drawings are shown in Appendices A and B. A notice was also posted on the eastbound bus stop on the north carriageway to alert customers to the proposed relocation of this stop by 5.5 metres to the west. See Appendix C for a copy of this notice. We invited people to respond by: emailing us at [email protected]; using the TfL website (consultations.tfl.gov.uk); or writing to us at FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS. 3.3 Meetings and site visits (if appropriate) No public meetings or exhibitions were held. 5 4 Overview of consultation responses We received 91 responses all of which were submitted online. The tables below show who responded (by type), the level of support for the proposal and main issues raised. Table 1: Consultation responses by respondent Question 2 Local Resident 73 Business Owner 1 Employed locally 9 Commuter 5 Visitor 4 Other 12 Not answered 1 Sub total 105 The majority of respondents (90%) support the proposed crossing; only 5% are opposed: Table 2: Answers received to Question 1 – Do you support the proposed scheme? Question 6 Strongly support 72 79.12% Support 10 10.99% Neither 2 2.198% Do not support 2 2.198% Strongly do not support 3 3.297% Not answered 2 2.198% Sub total 91 100.0% 6 Table 3: Common themes arising from consultation Theme (frequency high to low) Total Per cent Will create a safe crossing point 31 22.79 Good idea 28 20.58 Will improve road safety 14 10.29 Concern about impact in traffic 7 5.14 Alternative crossing too far away 5 3.67 Alternative style crossing suggested 5 3.67 Concern about shared space 5 3.67 Will help slow traffic 3 2.20 Place crossing on the east side of Ridgeway Road 3 2.20 7 5 Responses from members of the public We asked six questions relating to the proposal and received 91 responses in total. The results are summarised below. 1.1. Question 1: “What is your name?” Question 1 Name provided 90 99% Not answered 1 1% Sub total 91 100% 1.2. Question 2: Are you? (please select all boxes that apply):” People had the choice to let us know if they were visiting the area, if they had a business, were commuting through the area or were a resident. The vast majority (80%) of respondents were local residents: Question 2 Local Resident 73 Business Owner 1 Employed locally 9 Commuter 5 Visitor 4 Other 12 Not answered 1 Sub total 105 1.3. Question 3: “What is your email address?” In response to this question the majority (85%) provided an email address which will enable us to update respondents on the outcome: Question 3 Email 77 84.96% Not answered 14 16% Sub total 91 100.0% 1.4. Question 4: “If responding on behalf of an organisation, business or campaign group, please provide us with the name:” Seven respondents provided the name of the organisation they were responding on behalf of. Their responses are included in section six. 8 1.5. Question 5: “What is your postcode?” Of those that answered this question, the majority (76%) were from the location of the proposed crossing (TW7): Question 5 KT12 1 1.19 N16 1 1.19 N7 1 1.19 RG4 1 1.19 SE16 1 1.19 SW1 1 1.19 SW12 1 1.19 TW1 1 1.19 TW2 1 1.19 TW3 3 3.57 TW4 1 1.19 TW5 1 1.19 TW7 64 76.19 TW8 1 1.19 UB2 1 1.19 V6 1 1.19 W4 3 3.57 Sub total 84 100% 1.6. Question 6: “To what extent do you support the proposed new toucan crossing west of Ridgeway Road on the A4 Great West Road?” The majority of respondents (90%) supported the proposed crossing; only 5% were opposed: Question 6 Strongly support 72 79.12% Support 10 10.99% Neither 2 2.198% Do not support 2 2.198% Strongly do not support 3 3.297% Not answered 2 2.198% Sub total 91 100.0% 9 1.7. Question 7: “Question 7: Do you have any further comments?” This question allowed respondents to provide additional comments (inc.