The Manor Primary School Area - 20mph speed limit Feedback Report February 2016

Transcription

1 The Manor Primary School Area - 20mph speed limit Feedback Report February 2016 Purpose of the report This report is to feedback the results from the recent consultation on the proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit in the vicinity of The Manor Primary School, Coalpit Heath. The report has the following sections: Background Feedback from the consultation Future programme Background South Gloucestershire Council made a resolution in September 2013 to ensure that, as far as practicable, all schools in South Gloucestershire are covered by a 20 mph speed limit. This approach is in line with guidance from the government, which is encouraging local authorities to introduce 20 mph speed limits or zones, in residential areas being used by people on foot or bicycle. The purpose of the scheme is to reduce traffic speed in the vicinity of The Manor Primary School, which will improve road safety for vulnerable road users as well as making walking and cycling to school more attractive. Feedback from consultation Consultation material was forwarded to all frontages potentially affected by the proposed 20mph speed limit and consultation notices were posted on lighting columns in the local vicinity. The online consultation plan was viewed a total of 229 times. A total of 20 responses were received of which 10 were in support, 6 objected to the proposal and 4 other comments were received. These are detailed in Appendix A along with Officer comments. Future Programme Following this consultation it is proposed to proceed with the 20mph speed limit scheme as proposed. The next stage will be for South Gloucestershire Council to formally advertise the Traffic Regulation Order with the proposals. Depending on the outcome of this advertisement period, it is anticipated that works will begin on site shortly after the Traffic Regulation Order has been signed and sealed. However, if

2 objections are received during the advertising period South Gloucestershire Council will be required to take a report to the Planning Transport and Strategic Environment Committee for a decision on how to proceed. APPENDIX A Comments received at initial consultation stage Officers comments OBJECTIONS As a resident within the area affected by this proposal, I wish to object on the grounds that: Reduced speed limits unfairly penalise all motorists. Reduced speed limits do nothing to tackle the real problem of motorists who already ignore the 30mph limit. The extent of the proposed zone is far wider than can be justified by the proposed definition of the scheme as in the vicinity of The Manor Primary School. I should like to know: What data the council has on the actual traffic volumes and speeds within the area covered by this proposal? What attempts to date have been made to target speeding traffic within the area covered by this proposal? What evidence exists that reducing speed limits ACTUALLY encourages more walking and cycling to schools? On how many days in the last 12 months have the local police attended the school in order to help enforce the current parking restrictions as previously announced by the council? South Gloucestershire Council made a resolution in September 2013 to ensure that, as far as practicable, all schools in South Gloucestershire are covered by a 20 mph speed limit. This approach is in line with guidance from the government, which is encouraging local authorities to introduce 20 mph speed limits or zones, in residential areas being used by people on foot or bicycle. The purpose of the scheme is to reduce traffic speed in the vicinity of The Manor Primary School, which will improve road safety for vulnerable road users as well as making walking and cycling to school more attractive. The Manor Primary School is on Roundways at the southern end of the proposed scheme. Having the proposed 20mph speed limit only covering the length of Roundways in the direct vicinity of the school would give the wrong impression to drivers as they leave this section and continue within the residential estate. I am somewhat confused about the areas suggested as being in the vicinity of Manor School. Coalville Road is about 400 metres from the school, is a housing association road run by Merlin with age limits on residents apart from one private house (mine) and I can The Manor Primary School is on Roundways at the southern end of the proposed scheme. Having the proposed 20mph speed limit only covering the length of Roundways in the direct vicinity of the school would give the wrong impression to drivers

3 assure you there are no school children living in this road. I think the 20 mph limit is unnecessary, as traffic tends to be very slow in the narrow streets around the Manor School. The only road where 30 mph might be reached is Roundways, between the Badminton Road and Henfield Road, though, even there, not very often. I believe that the 20 mph limit is informally in place already. Making it formal would be a waste of money, both the implementation and the maintenance / enforcement. Nothing would be achieved, but money would inevitably spent. My concern is an increase in pollution, i.e. a vehicle travelling at 20mph takes longer to travel any distance that at 30mph, thus an engine is running for a greater (longer) time. Secondly is there a history of accidents (due to speed) in the area. My observation is that Station Road has little if any traffic involved with Manor Primary School. Some mothers with pushchairs pass my house on the pavement. Cars leaving and entering do not normally exceed 20mph in view of the road configurtation and the new road markings. Station Road mostly serves the Ram Hill Business Park and to and from the Ring Road to Badminton Road. In the area of the school at in/out muster times it is not possible to exceed 20mph. It seems ridiculous to impose a 20mph limit at all times for the limited in/out muster times at the school. We fully support measures to safeguard children,and also support the 20 mph restriction near schools. However we do not support being restricted to 20 mph on empty roads at weekends,or throughout school holidays. It should be borne in mind that an actual requirement exists for 2/3 hours per weekday, in term time only,this equates to as they leave this section and continue within the residential estate. South Gloucestershire Council made a resolution in September 2013 to ensure that, as far as practicable, all schools in South Gloucestershire are covered by a 20 mph speed limit. This approach is in line with guidance from the government, which is encouraging local authorities to introduce 20 mph speed limits or zones, in residential areas being used by people on foot or bicycle. The purpose of the scheme is to reduce traffic speed in the vicinity of The Manor Primary School, which will improve road safety for vulnerable road users as well as making walking and cycling to school more attractive. Reduced speed levels should encourage greater levels of walking and cycling in the area which should in turn lead to reductions in air pollution levels. The nature of Station Road is such that it makes sense to include it within the 20mph limit rather than signing it at a higher speed limit. The World Health Organisation s Pedestrian Safety: a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners summarises published research on the science of road safety for those on foot. It uses case studies from around the globe. A distinguished peer review group have carefully studied the evidence. The report says

4 a mere 600/650 hrs. per annum,out of the total of 8760 hrs. in a calendar year. Also, by travelling at 20mph, instead of 30, a vehicle generates a 50% increase in emissions/pollution per given journey. Experience in Bristol has generated a view (petition signed by over 6000 people), that driving at 20mph creates it's own dangers,by demanding a constant focus on the speedometer, rather than essential viewing of busy roads. The cost of painting/maintaining 20mph logos on the road surface, plus signs on each road would be expensive and unnecessary,particularly on the side roads listed in your proposal, which are so short in length that 20mph would be hard to achieve anyway. A sensible system could be the use of signs (preferably solar powered), which would operate only at required times. As few as 4 signs would probably suffice located in key locations. We feel that such a system would have the support of the much maligned motorist, rather than the antagonism which has been provoked by the growing obsession to impose blanket 20mph limits. One of the most effective ways to improve pedestrian safety is to reduce the speed of vehicles and in particular, reducing speed limits. Specifically listed as a proven intervention is to Implement area-wide lower speed limit programmes, for example, 30 km/h (20mph) The advantage of a full time permanent 20mph speed limit is it protects pedestrians and cyclists in the area even outside school times. The roads in question all have average speed at or below 24mph so lend themselves to a permanent 20mph speed limit. The way in which these speed limits are being introduced in South Gloucestershire is different from Bristol. Bristol have introduced blanket 20mph speed limits over large areas of the city and have included in them main roads such as the A38 Gloucester Road. The proposed 20mph speed limits in South Gloucestershire are significantly smaller. The signage associated with part time speed limits is significantly more expensive that that associated with formal speed limits, due to the need for the signs to be powered. SUPPORT I am writing to say I am in agreement with the 20 mph in Coalpit Heath. It will be better neat the Manor School for the safety of the children. We fully support measures to safeguard children,and also support the 20 mph restriction near schools. However we do not support being restricted to 20 mph on empty roads at weekends,or throughout school holidays. The proposed speed limit will be in force throughout the year and cannot be brought in on a temporary basis. I am very much in favour of the proposals for a local 20 mph speed limit in the

5 residential through roads in and around the Manor School. However, your plans cover multiple short cul-de-sacs as well as access to garages etc.- places where it is as impossible to reach more than 20 mph anyway - and two cases that are not school runs at all. This implies unnecessary signage (if not foolish) and certainly a huge waste of money, if they should be included. If the cul-de-sacs where left out of the proposed 20mph speed limit area, this would lead to more signs being required, as the change in speed limit would need to be signed at the entry/exit to these roads. We live in Henfield Road and fully support the 20mph speed limit. We fully support this speed limit. Just to let you know that we fully support the scheme. I totally support the proposed change to 20mph. Roundways in particular is used as a rat-run and speed limit abused. I have two children at the manor and would like to see the speed limit reduced both for them and the local residents. I am very pleased that you are considering implication a 20 mph speed limit around the roads that are near to The Manor School. I would go even further to say that speed bumps should also be introduced on to Rose Oak lane As a South Glous tax payer, I fully support this plan! I support this move as a local resident and as a British Horse society representative. As horse riders we support all traffic slowing measures. Saying Yes to 20 mph - Should have been done years ago, and would be valid without a school there due to the blind bend

6 COMMENTS I can understand why the Government is recommending a lower speed limit of 20 mph around schools, but I feel that this is the cheap and least effective option for the area around Manor School, and will have little impact on the real issue. There are very few cars that speed along the roads highlighted as part of the proposal, mainly because of the size and shape of the roads (especially the cul de sacs), and also because of the many cars parked along these roads (such as Roundways) during both the day time and school start and leave times. In addition, these roads are never policed and, because of this, I cannot see how this reduction in speed limit will work. I believe the ideal solution is to review the possibility of a one way road from the top of South View Rise, past the Manor School, and along Henfield Road to Badminton Road. Of course St Anne's Drive and the other surrounding roads could be considered if required, but the key danger area (ie outside Manor School) would be much safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. While I understand the need to reduce speed on the designated roads within the consultation document no mention is made of the URGENT requirement to impose a restriction on cars being parked on pathways and corners along with double parking at school times. Introducing one way streets generally result in higher vehicle speeds because drivers no longer need to make allowance for meeting oncoming vehicles. Increasing vehicles speeds is the opposite of what this scheme is trying to achieve. A review of school keep clears and adjacent waiting restrictions in the immediate vicinity of the school was the subject of a separate review in 2015 and this review is currently with the legal section awaiting advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order By reducing the speed limit from 30MPH to 20 MPH this may slow traffic down but as the road is always congested with cars and obstacles parents need to show greater awareness of how they park. A child being injured or killed is an accident waiting to happen or a major car collision on this road is inevitable. I think the committee needs to look further than just a 20 MPH zone and work in collaboration with the police authorities to see what can be achieved as they seem

7 unable to prevent the road chaos at the moment and they do not impose the present 30MPH zone or parking in this vicinity. How much of the council Tax payers money is going to be wasted in changes to signage that will make not one bit of difference to the main problem that is Parent Parking. Having lived in Coalpit Heath all my life and Roundways for some 40 years I have some knowledge on this subject. I believe I understand the problem exactly but you fail to make the necessary decisions around the school your problem is parent parking in the first instance and then the speed limit not the other way around. Let parents park in designated drop off and collection areas if they cannot walk to school perhaps the Manor Hall car park or the Pub could be a good starting point even British Rail offer that type of facility. What will it be like in 2020 even with your 20 MPH ZONE!!!!! On some of the roads included no-one is likely to exceed 20mph anyway now so there should be no problems. (eg any of the Closes). Unfortunately the funds available are not sufficient to allow further measures to be introduced outside the school. While I can understand the zoning idea, helping to protect people walking and cycling in the area heading to and from the school, this zone (which I can't see it being any particular problem in itself) extends far beyond protecting the immediate vicinity of the Manor School which I believe was the original idea. Unless, when you approach the most critical part near the actual school there is something additional to point out extra care is needed in this particular area, then I don't think the original purpose will be achieved. You need to be prepared to slow down possibly well below 20mph when passing the school at entry and exit times. A blanket zone extending up to half a mile away will not in itself achieve this without extra measures near the school.

8 I am writing to express that I feel a 20mph restriction will only be useful if parking restrictions are put in place on roundways and up to the traffic lights. When there are events at the school this road becomes obstructed by parked cars and causes a further danger to school children trying to negotiate the roads. A review of school keep clears and adjacent waiting restrictions in the immediate vicinity of the school was the subject of a separate review in 2015 and this review is currently with the legal section awaiting advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order