Meeting documents
Highways Committee (DCC)
Wednesday 10 December 2008
Meeting: Highways Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 10/12/2008 10:00:00 AM)
Item: A3 Request for a Puffin Crossing on C16a at Delves lane, Consett
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| Report of John Richardson, Corporate Director, Environment | |
1.0 Purpose of the Report
1.1 To advise Members of the outcome of investigations into proposals to provide a formal light controlled pedestrian crossing [Puffin Crossing] on the C16a at Delves Lane, Consett (see layout plan no 642/40640/CON/01 attached).
1.2 This report requests that Members support the installation of this crossing in accordance with the current County Council policy.
2.0 Background
2.1 Earlier this year investigations were carried out into the possible provision of a Puffin Crossing in the vicinity of the Post Office / Village Hall in Delves Lane. This was in response to concerns from residents that there was a need for a safe and convenient crossing point at a location where there was considerable pedestrian activity.
2.2 Following preliminary design, a public consultation exercise was carried out and 21 responses were received. Of these 19 [91%] supported the introduction of a crossing with the other 2 not giving a view either way. Of the 19 respondents, 12 [63%] preferred a crossing close to the Post Office [Option 1] and 7 [37%] preferred a crossing outside the Village Hall [Option 2].
2.3 On the basis of the above and other factors such as Option 1 is on the pedestrian desire line, it retains the existing parking provision, is more convenient for users of the nearby bus stops, Option 1 has been selected as the preferred scheme.
2.4 The provision of a light controlled crossing is subject to national guidance, national design guidelines and a local policy developed by Durham County Council which was adopted by Cabinet in May 2004 (copy of report enclosed).
2.5 The first requirement as part of the design and assessment is a site survey which includes classified vehicle counts, vehicle speeds and classified pedestrian counts in prescribed time intervals.
2.6 The current policy stated that if the PV2 is above 0.75, then a crossing should be provided where resources permit. However on this occasion the PV2 is 0.44 when the weighting factors to reflect local need are applied. These weighting factors are site specific and relate to
· The percentage of elderly pedestrians crossing
· The percentage of unaccompanied children
· The percentage of HGVs (above 7.5t)
· The average time taken to cross the road
· The traffic speeds
· The number of recorded personal injury pedestrian accidents.
2.7 A low figure would normally lead to a decision not to introduce a crossing. However, there has been a long standing request for this crossing from the substantial number of people that live in the area who are finding it increasingly difficult to cross the main road to get to the Post Office / Store which is a key facility for the residents of the area. This is especially so for the many elderly who live locally. In addition the crossing will help reduce the severance that the main road causes to other facilities such as the Village Hall. The crossing will also provide a permanent feature that will help regulate the speed of traffic on this section of road.
2.8 A safety assessment has suggested that Option 1 will increase the possibility for vehicle/pedestrian or vehicle/vehicle conflicts. However, the site is a very open one on a straight main road, has the benefit of waiting restrictions, a bus lay-by and a parking lay-by, and consequently pedestrians will be able to see vehicles and vice versa. This will help minimise concerns over conflicts.
2.9 Pedestrian surveys have shown that there is an established demand for pedestrians to cross at this location. Furthermore, the provision of a crossing will undoubtedly introduce a number of benefits for the local community as mentioned previously.
2.10 The Police have been consulted on the proposals and lend their support to Option 1.
3.0 Local Member Consultation
3.1 The Local Members, Councillor Young and Councillor Brown have been consulted and are in support of the scheme.
4.0 Recommendations and Reasons
4.1 It is recommended that Members endorse the proposal to introduce a Puffin Crossing at the chosen location on this part of Delves Lane.
Background Papers
Report to Cabinet on 13 May 2004, item no. A8.
Copies of correspondence have been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre.
Appendix 1: Implications 1.1 To advise Members of the outcome of investigations into proposals to provide a formal light controlled pedestrian crossing [Puffin Crossing] on the C16a at Delves Lane, Consett (see layout plan no 642/40640/CON/01 attached).
1.2 This report requests that Members support the installation of this crossing in accordance with the current County Council policy.
2.0 Background
2.1 Earlier this year investigations were carried out into the possible provision of a Puffin Crossing in the vicinity of the Post Office / Village Hall in Delves Lane. This was in response to concerns from residents that there was a need for a safe and convenient crossing point at a location where there was considerable pedestrian activity.
2.2 Following preliminary design, a public consultation exercise was carried out and 21 responses were received. Of these 19 [91%] supported the introduction of a crossing with the other 2 not giving a view either way. Of the 19 respondents, 12 [63%] preferred a crossing close to the Post Office [Option 1] and 7 [37%] preferred a crossing outside the Village Hall [Option 2].
2.3 On the basis of the above and other factors such as Option 1 is on the pedestrian desire line, it retains the existing parking provision, is more convenient for users of the nearby bus stops, Option 1 has been selected as the preferred scheme.
2.4 The provision of a light controlled crossing is subject to national guidance, national design guidelines and a local policy developed by Durham County Council which was adopted by Cabinet in May 2004 (copy of report enclosed).
2.5 The first requirement as part of the design and assessment is a site survey which includes classified vehicle counts, vehicle speeds and classified pedestrian counts in prescribed time intervals.
2.6 The current policy stated that if the PV2 is above 0.75, then a crossing should be provided where resources permit. However on this occasion the PV2 is 0.44 when the weighting factors to reflect local need are applied. These weighting factors are site specific and relate to
· The percentage of elderly pedestrians crossing
· The percentage of unaccompanied children
· The percentage of HGVs (above 7.5t)
· The average time taken to cross the road
· The traffic speeds
· The number of recorded personal injury pedestrian accidents.
2.7 A low figure would normally lead to a decision not to introduce a crossing. However, there has been a long standing request for this crossing from the substantial number of people that live in the area who are finding it increasingly difficult to cross the main road to get to the Post Office / Store which is a key facility for the residents of the area. This is especially so for the many elderly who live locally. In addition the crossing will help reduce the severance that the main road causes to other facilities such as the Village Hall. The crossing will also provide a permanent feature that will help regulate the speed of traffic on this section of road.
2.8 A safety assessment has suggested that Option 1 will increase the possibility for vehicle/pedestrian or vehicle/vehicle conflicts. However, the site is a very open one on a straight main road, has the benefit of waiting restrictions, a bus lay-by and a parking lay-by, and consequently pedestrians will be able to see vehicles and vice versa. This will help minimise concerns over conflicts.
2.9 Pedestrian surveys have shown that there is an established demand for pedestrians to cross at this location. Furthermore, the provision of a crossing will undoubtedly introduce a number of benefits for the local community as mentioned previously.
2.10 The Police have been consulted on the proposals and lend their support to Option 1.
3.0 Local Member Consultation
3.1 The Local Members, Councillor Young and Councillor Brown have been consulted and are in support of the scheme.
4.0 Recommendations and Reasons
4.1 It is recommended that Members endorse the proposal to introduce a Puffin Crossing at the chosen location on this part of Delves Lane.
Background Papers
Report to Cabinet on 13 May 2004, item no. A8.
Copies of correspondence have been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre.
| Contact: John Ray Tel: 0191 332 4404 |
| Local Government Reorganisation None Finance From School Travel Plan budget. Staffing There are no adverse implications. Equalities and diversity There are no adverse implications. Accommodation None. Crime and Disorder There are no adverse implications. Sustainability None Human Rights There are no adverse implications. Localities and Rurality C12a Delves Lane, Consett Young People No change from existing situation and conditions. Consultation Public Consultation exercise was carried out. Health There are no adverse implications. |
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Attachments
Request for Puffin Crossing on C16a at Delves Lane, Consett.pdf