BOROUGH OF POOLE
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – THURSDAY 13 APRIL 2006
REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
20mph ZONES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS – ST ALDHELMS VA COMBINED
1.Purpose of Report
1.1To consider a scheme to implement a 20mph zone for ????????,Winston Avenue, in the vicinity of St Aldhelm’s VA Combined sSchool.
1.2The programme of 20 mph Zones outside Schools is contained within the Transportation Capital Programme. This programme of works aims to improve the safety and environment outside schools and achieve targets set out in the Local Transport Plan.
2.Recommendations
It is recommended that :
2.1The proposed 20mph zone in ??????????,Winston Avenue and associated traffic calming measures, as detailed in this report and shown on Ddrg.No. JC????? 0431-24, be agreed; aAnd,
2.2Authorisation to advertise the associated 20mph Traffic Regulationspeed limitOorder be approved.
3.Background
3.1At 13 November 2003 TAG, Members approved a study to implement a strategy for establishing 20mph speed limits outside schools. The results of the study were presented to the 14 April 2005 meeting of TAG where Members approved a list prioritising 20mph zones for all 42 schools in the Borough.
3.2Implementation of a 20mph zone for each school was prioritised from A to D, with A being the highest priority. Priorities were developed on the basis of :
3.2.1School Travel Plans, in order that these zones can be built into a holistic approach to school travel issues. Such plans are a demonstration of collaborative working and indeed their existence attracts additional Government funding.
3.2.2Child casualties outside schools
3.2.3The appropriateness of such a zone to the school(s) location.
3.3St Aldhelm’s VA Combined school is in the A priority category. Proposals for a 20 mph zone in ???????? Winston Avenue is depicted on Drawing No. ??????. JC0431-24.
3.4Normally, 20mph zones have to be self enforcing, i.e. the features in the road would ensure that speeds in excess of 20mph are difficult to achieve. This is generally done by installing traffic calming measures.
3.5With this particular 20mph zone the following treatment is proposed in ????, Winston Avenue:
3.5.1A raised table at the following two locations:of the existing school crossing patrol site.
(a) Outside No.64 Winston Avenue.
(b) Adjacent to the existing footway from Mayford Road.
3.5.13.5.2A kerb build out and raised A pair of speed cushions at outside ????the following two locations:
(a) Outside No.91 Winston Avenue.
(b) Between the junctions of Sunridge Close and Farnham Road.
3.5.23.5.3Erection of 20mph zone warning signs at the entrance to Learoyd Road, in conjunction with a formal Traffic Regulation Order., at the following two locations:
(a) Junction of Cornelia Crescent.
(b) Junction of Farnham Road.
3.6Due to the shape and length of ?????, which is a cul de sac, it is not considered necessary to introduce any traffic calming measures.
3.6Due to the proximity of private driveways it is not possible to construct a standard length (6.0m on a bus route) raised table at the proposed location outside No.91 Winston Avenue. It is therefore proposed to construct a reduced length table 5.2m long.
3.7Discussions have taken place with Ward Members, and the school has been consulted. The head-teacher has responded and is in favour of the proposal. The initial proposals resulted in a good response from Ward Members and the St Aldhelm’s School Travel Group and Premises Committee. Comments were received not only about the 20mph zone proposal but also about general traffic issues in the vicinity. A summary of the comments received is included at Appendix B.
3.8As part of the signage for the 20mph zone Iit is proposed to incorporate an identifiable logo for the schools within the zone, a piece of artwork designed in a competition by the pupils of St Aldhelm’s Schoolas a competition, into the entry signs.
3.9Subject to approval of this group it is intended to advise affected residents of this scheme, with any subsequent detailed issues hopefully resolved with officers and Ward mMembers. Only in the unlikely event of failure to resolve a significant issue in this way will a further report be brought back to this Group, at the same time as any representations over the speed limit and traffic calming measures advertisement.
3.10The anticipated cost for advertising the Traffic Regulation Order, installation of the traffic calming measures and erection of the necessary signs, is estimated at £?????, £40,000. This can be covered within the approved Capital Programme 2006/ 07 for 20mph school zones.
JAMES T BRIGHT
Head of Transportation Services
Appendix A – Proposed Layout Ddrawing Nos. JC??????0431-24.
Appendix B – Summary of Comments Received after Initial Consultation.
Name and telephone number of Officer contact :
Graham Spicer (01202) 262072
TAG130406T3A
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APPENDIX A
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APPENDIX B
WINSTON AVENUE 20mph Zone for St ALDHELM’S SCHOOL
Consultation Timetable and comments received
ACTION AND COMMENTS RECEIVED
/ RESPONSE11/07/05 / Letters and plan (JC0431-21) showing initial proposals sent to School (Head Teacher; Averil Bowyer).
19/07/05 / Letter and plan (JC0431-21) showing initial proposals sent to Salisbury Diocese Diocesan Office, Salisbury.
01/08/05 / Letters and plan (JC0431-21) showing initial proposals sent to members of WoS/SS group.
01/08/05 / Letters and plan (JC0431-21) showing initial proposals sent to Ward Councillors (Cllrs. Eades, Lavender, Hillman and Pethan).
02/08/05 / Comments received from Sally Funnell, Cycling and Walking Officer :
Possibility of providing a pair of speed cushions at the entrance to the school car park (to prevent parents parking in this area). / Irresponsible parking by parents delivering and collecting children at school times is a universal problem throughout the Borough. The issue could be addressed by publicising the problem at schools, or installation of waiting/ loading restrictions (and then enforcing them.
08/08/05 / Comments received from Cllr Eades who thought the proposals were “an excellent plan to create a safer environment for pupils” particularly that the 20mph zone would start some way from the school. He did however caution over the use of children’s “art” – a reference to the proposal to include a sketch or drawing as part of the road signs. / The principle of utilising artwork provided by schools local to new Zones has been previously agreed by TAG. It is also considered beneficial to involve local children in safety schemes of this nature.
14/08/05 / Comments received from Cllr Pethen that he thought the proposals would be welcomed in principle by most people. He had some specific concerns however :
Selfish parking of cars by parents at the end of the school day, with cars parked on both sides of Winston Avenue and most side roads. He suggested a site visit of TAG members to see the problem for themselves at the peak time. / Irresponsible parking by parents delivering and collecting children at school times is a universal problem throughout the Borough. The issue could be addressed by publicising the problem at schools, or installation of waiting/ loading restrictions (and then enforcing them).
APPENDIX B
WINSTON AVENUE 20mph Zone for St ALDHELM’S SCHOOL
Consultation comments received (continued)
COMMENTS RECEIVED
/ RESPONSE14/08/05 / If road humps are to be used they should be over the full width of the road, not cushions. / The two speed-calming measures closest to the school will be full-width raised tables and will provide crossing points for pedestrians including school children and parents/carers. Elsewhere the width/alignment of the road makes the use of speed cushions the most practical measure to be employed.
08/05 / Requests from Cllr Hillman to discuss with Engineering the current parking restrictions and the proposals for the 20mph zone. This to be undertaken as part of the on-going consultation process. / Any such concerns to be addressed either through TAG or by consultation between/ with Members as part of the detailed-design process.
22/09/05 / Comments received from Cllr Lavender following a meeting of the School Travel Group :
Request for an extension of the 20 mph zone - the concern was that if the zone ended at Cornelia Crescent the traffic would pick up speed on the hill which is very steep and causing a danger on the corner with Guest Ave.
Comments collated from members of the "walking bus" (this crosses at the junction of Winston Ave and Guest Ave) and parents very concerned at the high speeds on the hill – would also like the zone to end at the junction of Winston Ave and Guest Ave. / The creation of the 20mph Zone is primarily aimed at improving the safety of children and parents/carers within the immediate proximity of St Aldhelm’s School. Extending the zone down the hill could lesson the impact by reducing the adherence of drivers to the reduced speed limit.
As part of a separate scheme a vehicle activated sign is to be installed between Guest Avenue and Carroll Close to warn drivers if they are travelling above the speed limit.
03/10/05 / Letter received from Martyn Thresh on behalf of the School Travel Group and Premises Committee following their first meeting of the autumn term. Points raised:
Generally welcome the idea of a 20mph Zone in the area of the school and will support the proposal.
The biggest problem with speed is down the hill between Cornelia Crescent and Guest Avenue and suggest that the 20mph Zone is extended at least partly along this length. / See above. As part of a separate scheme a vehicle activated sign is to be installed between Guest Avenue and Carroll Close to warn drivers if they are travelling above the speed limit.
APPENDIX B
WINSTON AVENUE 20mph Zone for St ALDHELM’S SCHOOL
Consultation comments received (continued)
COMMENTS RECEIVED
/ RESPONSE03/10/05 / Consider this to be an opportunity to use one or two raised crossing points to serve the school pedestrian entrances.
The school will contact Nick Ellis, School Travel Plan Officer, regarding the artwork for the road sign.
Concerns raised over visibility problems at the junction of Winston Ave. and Guest Ave. :
- pedestrian visibility when using the new pedestrian crossing;
A sight line Order, restricting the height of hedges on adjacent properties, is currently being investigated.
As part of a separate scheme a vehicle activated sign is to be installed between Guest Avenue and Carroll Close to warn drivers if they are travelling above the speed limit.
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