Report to: Executive Member – Environmental Services Date: 10th July 2007 Report of: Director of Environmental Services Report No: EMES/77/07 Contact Officer: Chris Holt/Mike Heather Tel No: 01204 336475/336344 Report Title: Smithills Dean Road, Bolton - Proposed Traffic Management Measures – Response to Consultation Non Confidential: This report does not contain information which warrants its consideration in the absence of the press or members of the public Recommendations: Having considered the comments made in response to the consultation, and in view of the clear support for the scheme, the Director of Environmental Services recommends the Executive Member Environmental Services to agree to the implementation of the traffic management measures with the amendments referred to in the report. Decision: Background Doc(s): Results of consultation with local residents held on file in the Highways and Engineering Development Services Section. Signed: Leader / Executive Member Monitoring Officer Date: Page 1 of 7 Summary: Local residents and business people were consulted on the proposals in June 2007 and a meeting was with residents, organised by the Ward Members, held on 11th June 2007. In response to the consultation, replies were received from 103(25%) of those consulted. It is clear from the responses that the majority of those who replied are in favour of the scheme. A number of concerns were expressed about some aspects of the scheme and these are detailed, and commented upon, in the report. Having considered the concerns, the Director of Environmental Services recommends that approval is given to implement the measures with the amendments referred to in the report during the current financial year. Page 2 of 7 ID 138344 Background Information 1. A number of issues, relating to traffic conditions on Smithills Dean Road, have been identified for attention. These include the speed of traffic, conflicting movements in the vicinity of Smithills Dean School and Sixth Form College and parking problems relating to the Sixth Form College. As a result a proposal has been drawn up to reduce the speed of traffic and provide safe crossing points for pedestrians. The scheme is included in the current Highways Capital draft Programme for Minor Works. 2. In the period between 2002 and 2004 there were 10 reported injury accidents on Smithills Dean Road which resulted in 14 casualties, two of which were serious. Two of the accidents involved pedestrian casualties and 3 were children. As a result of the accident record and concerns about the speed and volume of traffic using the route, an assessment was carried out using the Borough wide assessment criteria (CAPS). The scheme was ranked at 12th position and a scheme was therefore drawn up to address the concerns. In the 3 year period from 2004 to 2007 there have been a further 8 reported injury accidents which resulted in 10 casualties, all of which were slight. These included 3 pedestrian casualties, all children. 3. The main features of the proposed scheme are the provision of pedestrian refuges/traffic islands, parking bays, a gateway feature where the existing speed limit changes, new signs and central hatch markings. Consultation with residents 4 Local residents have been consulted on the proposals illustrated on the attached plan (Dwg No. 931047/03) and a total of 412 letters were sent out in June 2007. In addition a meeting with residents was organised by the Ward Members, held towards the end of the original consultation period. As a result the consultation period was extended. It is clear from the responses that the majority of those who replied are in favour of the scheme. A number of concerns have been expressed about some aspects of the scheme and these are commented upon, in the report. Responses were received from 103 (25%) of those consulted which is less than might have been expected. Of these, 55(53%) support the proposed scheme and 37 (36%) are opposed to it. The more detailed analysis of the consultation may be summarised as follows:- Total No view Yes No replies /no reply Do you support the proposal as outlined on 103 55 (53%) 37 (36%) 11(11%) the attached plan? Do you have any other, more specific 103 67(65%) 19 (18%) 17(17%) concerns regarding the proposals for this scheme? Observations on Response to Consultation 5. It is clear from the response to the consultation that the majority of those who replied are in favour of the scheme and have positively welcomed the introduction of the measures. Comments that have been received include:- 1. “plan well thought through and will decrease speed of vehicles” “good idea to try to slow traffic down -” “seems a good idea” “in favour of restricted speed limits” “welcome the Council’s attempt to address vehicle speeds” Page 3 of 7 ID 138344 “measures needed to reduce the speed of traffic” 6. One of the major concerns of residents is that the introduction of central hatching and pedestrian refuges/traffic islands which, they believe, will increase the congestion on a narrow road that is already congested with vehicles accessing the schools in the vicinity. Several of the residents are concerned that these features are not in keeping with the rural nature of Smithills Dean Road and would be more appropriate in an urban area. Some are concerned that it will become even more difficult for them to enter or leave the adjoining side roads as well as individual properties. It is acknowledged that the pupils do not always cross the road in a safe and orderly manner. The central refuges are essential to provide a safe crossing point in the vicinity of the school and enable pedestrians to wait safely when crossing, to allow traffic to pass. The central white hatchings will also serve to separate opposing traffic streams, especially at the side road junctions. The introduction of these features will create an impression to drivers that they should be travelling more slowly and reduce speed accordingly. 7. A view has been expressed by some residents suggesting that the refuges should be moved to a different location such as between Jesmond Road and the entrance to Smithills Hall or at the junction with Smithills Croft Road. The former location would conflict with the bus stop on the east side of the road. The latter location is already provided for in the proposed scheme by the refuges on Smithills Dean Road on either side of this junction. 8. Some residents are concerned that traffic will use Smithills Croft Road as a rat run to avoid the speed control measures, and have asked for traffic calming to be introduced. When Smithills Croft Road was assessed for calming in 2005 using the Borough wide assessment criteria (CAPS), it was ranked in only 153rd position out of 260 locations. It is unlikely that the use of this route by rat running traffic will increase as a result of the scheme and the introduction of calming cannot be treated as a priority on the basis of the current ranking. 9. Concern has also been expressed about the number of new refuges being proposed and the potential for parked vehicles to be displaced into the side roads, adding to the problems experienced by residents at present. It is accepted that some vehicles will be displaced by the introduction of the refuges on Smithills Dean Road which from the most part are to be positioned at locations which are already unsuitable for parking. It is not intended to introduce additional waiting restrictions on this road, or on the side roads, at this stage. The introduction of restrictions would affect the ability of residents and their visitors to park as well as preventing parking associated with the schools. This matter could be considered at some future time if it is identified as a priority compared to other locations in the Borough, subject to a funding stream being identified. In the meantime the Parking Contractor has been requested to give the area some attention to enforce the current restrictions. 10. A number of residents have expressed concern about consideration being given to removing the existing ‘school’ bus stop on the north side of the entrance to Smithills Dean School and Sixth Form College. However, because of the reaction of residents to this part of the proposal, it is recommended that the stop be retained in the current location. The kerb build out originally proposed at this point will be removed and a designated bus box provided. Consideration will be given to a bus stop clearway at a future date. 11. There are concerns about the extent of the speed reduction measures and residents have commented that vehicles are travelling much too quickly when they enter the existing 30 mph ‘zone’. Several of them have requested that either a 30mph limit or a 50mph limit is introduced as far as the Scout Road/Walker Fold Road junction. There have also been requests for the introduction of speed cameras or additional vehicle actuated electronic signs. Page 4 of 7 ID 138344 12. With regard to the possible extension of the speed limit, a review of the Council’s speed limit policy is currently being undertaken, based on guidance issued recently by the Department for Transport (DfT). This will be the subject of a future report to PDG and the Executive Member. Until such time as the new policy is implemented it is not considered appropriate to amend the speed limit on Smithills Dean Road. 13. As far as the provision of speed cameras is concerned, this road does not meet the criteria for the introduction of cameras in Bolton. In April of this year the strict criteria issued by the Department of Transport to determine whether a speed camera could be installed, has been relaxed to become guidance and the local safety camera partnerships have been free to develop their own criteria.