Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director, Neighbourhood Services which provided details following a request for a pedestrian refuge at Rotary Way which had been referred to the Highways Committee by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Committee were informed that Council had received a petition which requested a reduction in the speed limit to 40mph on Rotary Way, Pity Me and a re-design of the highway to include a pedestrian refuge.  A representative for the Corporate Director, Neighbourhood Services had provided a response to the petition organiser.  An appeal to the response was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme.  The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board recommended that an equality impact assessment before any scheme the outcome of these deliberations be shared with the Highways Committee.

The Strategic Highways Manager informed the Committee that the request for the refuge was turned down due to the unsuitability of the road for a pedestrian refuge and that it would encourage use of a trampled path through private land. 

Should any improvement be made to this area it should be in the form of a link footway on the north side of the road between the Hag House Farm junction and the Hag House roundabout.

The Committee were informed that the road was derestricted with a 60mph speed limit in force.  There had been no records of personal injuries or traffic accidents reported in the last five years.  Traffic surveys had been undertaken at the location on two separate days. Seven pedestrians had been observed crossing the road between the hours of 8.30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. on a Friday and three pedestrians had been observed crossing the road between 0.40 a.m. to 8.45 a.m.

It was considered that there was sufficient time for pedestrians to cross the road. Of the pedestrians who crossed the road during these times, none had been observed to have any form of disability. It was not routine practice to locate pedestrian refuges on derestricted roads.  Furthermore, the Council didn’t wish to condone the use of the footway which lead into a shop car park and loading area.

Councillor Martin addressed the Committee as the resident who had proposed the scheme by way of a petition. Councillor Martin distributed a map of the immediate area and indicated a number of key points, which included a bridal path, the proposed Council crossing and the various routes that pedestrians had to undertake.  Councillor Martin informed the Committee that the width of the road was wider than normal, and wider still at the entrance to the Hag House Farm.  Cars were travelling, at speed, in both directions and anyone crossing the road at present had to wait for a gap in traffic in a hatched area in the centre of the road.  He commented that he would like to see some form of protection introduced for anyone crossing the road.

Councillor Martin also commented that whilst the original petition requested that the speed limit on the stretch of road be reduced to 40mph, there was a view that a reduction to 50mph would be acceptable and be consistent with other reductions in speed limits on similar stretches of both the A690 and A167.

Councillor Martin questioned the accident statistics provided by the Strategic Highways Manager and commented that an accident had taken place near to the location two months ago.

In terms of the alternative proposal, Councillor Martin considered that the proposal would not be practical and would treble the distance any pedestrian route to the nearby Arnison Centre development. The proposed area had zero visibility around one curved section of the roundabout and this was considered a serious concern, particularly for anyone waiting to cross the road with a buggy, pushchair or wheelchair.

The introduction of a pedestrian refuge was a viable option, which would also act as a traffic calming measure in some respects. Residents were also willing to make a contribution towards the costs.

Councillor Tomlinson felt he was unable to make any form of judgement given some of the issues raised at the meeting, commenting that a first person perspective of the physical layout of the area was essential.  Councillor Tomlinson also queried potential costs to install a pedestrian refuge.  The Committee were informed that each refuge would cost somewhere in the region of £20,000 and total around £40,000 for this option.  The Committee were informed that a protected right turn would also need to be designed for residents exiting Hag House Farm.

Councillor Naylor was in agreement with Councillor Tomlinson’s comments and suggested that the Committee undertake a site visit so they can see at first hand, the issues raised at the meeting.

Councillor Wilkes, local Councillor for the area, commented that the footpath was extremely narrow and anyone crossing at this location would find themselves stepping into the road prior to being able to cross it.  Councillor Wilkes also pointed out that the area was hedged with lots of trees and existing foliage was dense and overgrown.  Referring to a bridleway opposite the junction of Hag House, Councillor Wilkes suggested that it would most likely to be used by many more people given the well-trodden appearance of the path.  Councillor Wilkes also informed the Committee that he was aware of at least two residents in the area were not fully able bodied persons and those people would not have been captured in the survey.

The Strategic Highways Manager informed the Committee that there had to be a compromise and it was extremely important not to give motorists too much visibility.  The issues raised about the bridleway and its use were not disputed.  Of those people observed crossing the road, the survey had inidation that no-one had stopped in the middle of the road whilst crossing and there was concern that if a refuge was constructed as suggested in the petition it would cause a danger.

Councillor Turnbull commented that from his experience of a similar refuge constructed on the A690 at Brandon/Brancepeth caused posed a real danger and simply encouraged people to cross at the wrong point of the road.

Resolved

That a decision be deferred on the issue and that the Committee carry out a site visit prior to any decision being made.