Meeting: Highways Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 08/08/2007 10:00:00 AM)
Item: A3 Proposed Traffic Calming Scheme Unc East Street, Blackhall Colliery - Report of Corporate Director, Environment
Highways Committee
8 August 2007
Proposed Traffic Calming Scheme
Unc East Street, Blackhall Colliery
Report of John Richardson, Corporate Director, Environment
1. Purpose of the Report
1. To advise Members of the objections received with regard to a traffic calming scheme recently advertised for East Street, Blackhall Colliery.
2. The scheme will be funded from Councillor Cox’s 2006/07 Local Area Measures Allowance.
3. This report requests that Members consider the objections to the proposals and endorse the recommendations.
2. Background
1. Residents have approached Councillor Cox requesting measures to be taken to reduce the speed of traffic on East Street, Blackhall Colliery.
2. Following these representations a traffic calming scheme consisting of 7 traffic calming humps was designed and became subject to a consultation exercise (see attached drawings).
3. A total of 60 letters, with plans and pre-paid response cards were delivered to residents who will be directly affected by the installation of the scheme.
4. 37 response cards were returned and of these 97% (36) were in favour of the scheme and 3% (1) was against the scheme.
5. The statutory consultation was undertaken in parallel with the residents’ consultation. Responses in favour of the scheme were received from Durham Constabulary and Durham and Darlington Fire Brigade Service (via Peterlee Fire Station). A representation was received from the North East Ambulance Service raising their concerns regarding the use of vertical traffic calming measures.
6. The formal advertisement of the scheme was placed in the press and on site between 21 June 2007 and 13 July 2007. Two letters of representation were received to this consultation from the North East Ambulance Service and the County Durham and Darlington Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters, both raising concerns relating to vertical traffic calming measures.
2.
Representations 2.1 A resident commented that he objects to the proposal because of the lack of accidents. “There have been no accidents in the last 4 and half years that he has been a resident there”.
Response: Local residents requested this scheme, many with children who have to cross this road on a regular basis. The accident statistics have revealed 1 injury accident during that period at this location. This accident involved three vehicles, was caused by driver error, and involved no pedestrians. 2.2 The North East Ambulance Service and The Fire & Rescue Service have responded giving their reservations regarding the effect on response times.
Response: It is well known that both the Fire and Ambulance Services have reservations about road humps. Durham Ambulance Service have expressed their usual concerns regarding traffic calming but have not formally objected. A similar letter has been received from the Fire and Rescue Service. 4.0 Local Member Consultation 4.1 The Local Member, Councillor Alan Cox, has been consulted and fully supports the scheme.
5.0 Recommendations and Reasons 5.1 It is recommended that Members endorse the proposal to set aside the objection and proceed with the scheme.
Background Papers Correspondence on Office File.
Copies of correspondence have been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre.
Contact: David Battensby Tel: 0191 332 4404 Appendix 1: Implications
Finance
Funding will be available from the 2006/07 Local Area Measures Allowance which was brought forward from last financial year.
Staffing
None
Equality and Diversity
None
Accommodation
None
Crime and Disorder
The measures will improve the problem of inappropriate driving within the street.
Sustainability
Possible improvements in residential amenity.
Human Rights
None
Localities and Rurality
As detailed in the report.
Young People
Potential safety improvements.
Consultation
Consultation on the proposed traffic calming measures was undertaken.
Health
None
FOR COPIES OF PLANS PLEASE REFER TP HARD COPIES LOCATED IN CORPORATE SERVICES, COUNTY HALL, OR DURHAM COUNTY RECORD OFFICE.
Attachments
Aug 07 - Unc East Street, Blackhall Colliery.pdf