23rd January 2014

Dear Mr Osborne

Re: Freedom of Information Request 6599_1314

Thank you for your information request, reference number 6599_1314 which asks:

My request relates to the recent regeneration project undertaken at the junction of Bethlehem Street, Grimsby.

The pelican crossing opposite the station approach outside the Wetherspoons pub has been removed and not replaced. Due to the layout of the new paving system and design, there is no physical barrier nor signage or lighting controls in place stopping pedestrians entering the roadway.

I believe that this has significantly increased the risk of a road traffic vehicle/pedestrian collision occurring.

Can you please furnish me with the risk assessments undertaken for this removal of pelican crossing and for the new road/paving design in respect of road safety.

Could you please also furnish me with the names of those councillors/officers responsible for signing this off, and any others who bear corporate responsibility for this work.

North East Lincolnshire Council holds the following information.

I understand that you are concerned about the changes that have been made along Bethlehem Street near the entrance to Station Approach. The new area that has been created is a shared space. Shared space is a design approach that changes the way streets operate by reducing the dominance of motor vehicles, primarily through lower speeds and encouraging drivers to behave more accommodatingly towards pedestrians.

I have attached a leaflet which explains more about how shared spaces operate.

With regards to consultation and approvals, Station Approach and Riverhead Square were both identified as areas in need of regeneration during the Town Centre Masterplanning process which was undertaken in 2008. The Grimsby Town Centre

Informatics and Research, North East Lincolnshire Council, Cleethorpes Civic Offices, Knoll Street, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 8LN Tel: 01472 323372, Email: [email protected] Masterplan was created following extensive public consultation and was adopted by NELC Cabinet in October 2008.

Concept designs were then created for Station Approach and Riverhead Square. The designs were developed through design workshops and were tested and refined through public engagement events. Engagement with wider stakeholders such as landowners and local businesses was also undertaken from the outset again to test and refine the project requirements. The detailed design for these projects builds on the Grimsby Town Centre Masterplan and the concept design work for Station Approach and Riverhead Square. The final details of the scheme were approved by NELC Cabinet in November 2012.

The whole design for the LSTF scheme in Grimsby town centre was subject to a Road Safety Audit (RSA), not a risk assessment, this was carried out by Parsons Brinckerhoff. The purpose of a RSA is to identify safety issues which may arise once the designed scheme is constructed, and to allow the design to be changed prior to the physical works taking place. As the works are concentrated in two specific areas, namely the Riverhead and Station Approach, we have provided an extract from the RSA relevant to the location: -

5 STATION APPROACH - PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED AT THIS STAGE 2 ROAD SAFETY AUDIT

5.1 General 5.1.1 No specific Road Safety Problems identified

5.2 Local Alignment 5.2.1 No specific Road Safety Problems identified

5.3 Junctions 5.3.1 No specific Road Safety Problems identified

5.4 Non Motorised User Provision 5.4.1 No specific Road Safety Problems identified

5.5 Road Signs, Carriageway Markings and Lighting 5.5.1 No specific Road Safety Problems identified

Each shared space site is different and the way a street performs will depend on its individual characteristics, the features included and how these features work in combination. Once a shared space has been introduced, it is then necessary to monitor the success of the scheme and introduce any further measures that may be necessary.

For more information about the Green Transport developments in Grimsby town centre and across North East Lincolnshire, visit www.heartofgrimsby.co.uk. If you are unhappy with the response you have received, you have the right to request an internal review by the Council. If following this you are still dissatisfied you may contact the Office of the Information Commissioner. If you wish to request an internal review, please contact me and I will make the necessary arrangements.

Yours sincerely on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council

Feedback Officer Resources Directorate