Proposed improvements to cycle facilities along A24 A24 Epsom Road – cycle safety improvements Proposed improvements to cycle facilities along A24 Epsom Road between Central Road and Lower Morden Lane Consultation Report February 2020 1 Contents 1 Consultation summary ...................................................................................... 3 2 Background ...................................................................................................... 4 3 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 4 3 The consultation ................................................................................................ 5 4 Overview of consultation responses ................................................................. 7 5 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders .............................. 11 6 Next steps ....................................................................................................... 15 Appendix A – Copy of the consultation letter ............................................................ 16 Appendix B – Letter distribution area ........................................................................ 19 Appendix C – List of stakeholders consulted ............................................................ 19 Appendix D – List of views and suggestions made during the consultation………… 21 2 Consultation summary Between 8 February and 11 March 2016 we consulted on proposals to improve facilities for cyclists along the A24 Epsom Road by providing a consistent cycle facility in both directions between Central Road and Lower Morden Lane. Our proposals included installing a new wider continuous southbound cycle lane to replace the existing narrow inconsistent cycle lane, a new bus lane between Lower Morden Lane and Rougemont Avenue and upgrading the existing pedestrian crossing facilities. We received 154 responses to the consultation, of which 55% of respondents opposed the proposals, 18% supported the proposals, 20% partially supported the proposals, 2% of respondents were not sure, 1% had no opinion and 3% did not answer the question. Issues raised by respondents included traffic concerns, questions as to whether the scheme was necessary and requests, changes or enhancements to the proposed cycling provision. Next steps We are grateful for the views received through the consultation and have considered these carefully. Following a review of the main issues raised and the results of the consultation we have decided not to proceed with the proposals that were consulted on. This is mainly because we did not receive the support of our key stakeholders, as well as concerns that were raised by local residents. Our long-term intention is still to improve the cycling facilities at this location. We will discuss any new ideas carefully with stakeholders and local residents before a future scheme is devised. This consultation report summarises the consultation exercise and responses received. Our response to issues raised during consultation is available as a separate report. 3 1 Background We proposed to improve cycle facilities along the A24 Epsom Road. In 2012 we consulted on phase one of the scheme which was to improve cycle facilities between Morden Town Centre and Central Road, this was implemented in June 2013. We have now proposed a second phase of improvements, to provide a consistent cycle facility in both directions between Central Road and Lower Morden Lane. We proposed the following: Install a new wider continuous southbound cycle lane to replace the existing narrow inconsistent cycle lane Install a new bus lane between Lower Morden Lane and Rougemont Avenue. This would be shared with cyclists to provide a continuous route for northbound cyclists Upgrade the existing pedestrian crossing to a shared pedestrian/cyclist ‘toucan’ crossing. This would include a small section of shared footway to allow cyclists to access the cycle lanes and crossing area Upgrade the uncontrolled pedestrian crossing facilities, including extending the tactile paving area Improve visibility and safety for vehicles emerging from side roads by building out the kerb slightly Build a wider, better aligned footway on the western side of the A24 Epsom Road junction with Lower Morden Lane In order to make these changes we would need to: Remove one traffic lane in each direction. Surveys and modelling results show that there would be no impact on traffic queues in the area Trim back the central reservation 2 Introduction We recently invited the public and key stakeholders to take part in a public consultation and comment on our proposals for this junction. The consultation took place between 8 February and 11 March 2016. Members of the public could take part in the consultation using the TfL consultation tool online, by email or post. This report details responses received and will contribute to the decision on whether to go ahead with the proposed scheme or not. 2.1 Purpose of the scheme The purpose of the scheme is to improve safety for cyclists using the A24 Epsom Road between Lower Morden Lane and Central Road. 2.2 Location maps The following map shows the extent of the scheme 4 Digital Map Data (c) Collins Bartholomew Ltd (2016) 3 The consultation The consultation ran between 8 February and 11 March 2016 and was designed to enable us to understand local opinions about the proposals. The consultation enabled us to: Raise general awareness of the scheme with local residents, stakeholders and the public Explain the proposed changes Provide the opportunity for people to contact us with their feedback about the proposals The potential outcomes of the consultation were: We decide the consultation raises no issues that should prevent us from proceeding with the scheme as originally planned We modify the scheme in response to issues raised in consultation We abandon the scheme as a result of issues raised in the consultation The objectives of the consultation were: To give stakeholders and the public easily-understandable information about the proposals and allow them to respond To understand the level of support or opposition for the change To understand any issues that might affect the proposal of which we were not previously aware To understand concerns and objections To allow respondents to make suggestions 5 3.1 Who we consulted The public consultation intended to seek the views of residents living close to the A24 Epsom Road in the areas between and around Central Road and Lower Morden Lane. Please see Appendix B for a map of the local area we consulted. We also consulted stakeholders including The Metropolitan Police, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members and local interest groups. A list of the stakeholders we consulted is shown in Appendix C and a summary of their responses is given in Section 5. 3.2 Consultation material, distribution and publicity We sent a letter and map explaining the proposed scheme to 2,189 local households and businesses. A copy of this letter and map is shown in Appendix A. The consultation material asked five questions regarding the proposal: 1. Do you support the proposals to improve cycle facilities along A24 Epsom Road between Central Road and Lower Morden Lane? Yes / Partially / Not sure / No opinion / No 2. Do you support the proposed new southbound cycle lane along A24 Epsom Road between Central Road and Lower Morden Lane? Yes / Partially / Not sure / No opinion / No 3. Do you support the proposed new northbound shared bus / cycle lane along A24 Epsom Road between Central Road and Lower Morden Lane? Yes / Partially / Not sure / No opinion / No 4. Do you support the proposals to upgrade the pedestrian crossing to a toucan crossing? Yes / Partially / Not sure / No opinion / No 5. Do you have any further comments? We invited people to respond to the consultation using the TfL website https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/a24-epsom-road or by writing to us at FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS or by emailing us at [email protected] 3.3 Pre-consultation The London Borough of Merton We contacted the London Borough of Merton before the consultation was published to inform them of our proposals. We asked them for their comments regarding our consultation area as well as which local community groups and resident associations they recommend we should consult. 6 4 Overview of consultation responses A total of 154 consultation responses were received, 122 were submitted online and 32 by post or email (see figure 1 below). Figure 1 In the consultation we asked four questions to see how much support there was for our proposals. Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 below show the questions we asked and the number of people who answered yes, partially, those who were not sure, had no opinion, those who answered no and those who did not answer the question. 7 Figure 2 below shows the answers received to question one Figure 3 below shows the answers received to question two 8 Figure 4 below shows the answers received to question three Figure 5 below shows the answers received to question four Additional comments 9 Respondents were given the opportunity to provide further comments about our proposal. Of the 154 responses received, 136 provided comments. Figure 6 below shows the top 15 issues that were raised during the consultation. A complete list of views and suggestions made during the consultation can be found in Appendix D. Our full response to issues raised will be provided in a separate