AGENDA ITEM 7
BOROUGH OF POOLE
ALDERNEY, BRANKSOME EAST AND BRANKSOME WEST AREA COMMITTEE
26 FEBRUARY 2014
REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
OBJECTIONS TO TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS – COY POND ROAD
1.0 Matter for Consideration
1.1. To consider representations to recently advertised Traffic Orders.
2. Recommendation
2.1 It is recommended that the Orders are made as advertised.
3. Information
3.1 The following Orders were advertised in the last batch of advertisements (31 October to 28 November 2013) :_
a) Revocation of the existing no waiting (8am-6pm) on the southern side of Bourne Valley Road outside the Old Generator House.
b) Revocation of the existing no waiting (8am-6pm) on the western side Dalling Road north of Wolterton Road.
c) Removal of the bollards at the western side of the railway bridge over Coy Pond Road.
3.2 Four letters of objection have been received. The objections are from Dorset Cycling Network, Cyclist Touring Club, and from two residents of Bournemeouth.
3.3 The objectors emphasise the value of the traffic-free route through the closed section of Coy Pond Road and its importance to as part of the Bourne Valley Greenway. They feel that removing one set of bollards to allow parking under the bridge will make it difficult for cyclists to get through the corridor.
3.4 Some of the objectors feel that the Council should not be encouraging workers to drive to the area by making more parking spaces available.
Conclusion
3.5 The proposals have been developed in response to long-standing concerns about parking in the residential roads on each side of the commercial estate. Councillors and Council Officers met representatives of the businesses to encourage them to address these problems, and many of the employers already encourage staff to cycle.
3.6 A line of bollards will be retained under the eastern side of the bridge, so the route will remain closed to traffic. While kerbside parking would mean that cyclists could not use the gaps close to the kerbs, in fact these gaps are already obstructed when cars park at the end of Coy Pond Road. The layout of the bollards means that cyclists can also pass through the gap in the centre of the road, and it is suggested that double yellow lines are imposed on both sides of the gap.
3.7 The give Way lines and carriageway markings will be amended at the Dalling Road junction to emphasise the main traffic route, and a “Emergency Access, Please Keep Clear” sign will be placed at the closure point to make sure drivers see the bollards and keep the access clear.
3.8 While parking restraint can be an effective way of encouraging workers to consider other modes of transport, experience elsewhere in the Borough has shown that this only works if the restraint area extends a long way from their place of work, and if the area is well served by other alternative transport modes. It is unlikely that the current restrictions are significantly discouraging car-borne commuting.
JULIAN McLAUGHLIN
Head of Transportation Services
Background Papers None
Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact
Steve Dean (01202) 262071