Agenda item

This briefing paper has been produced to update the Panel on the progress of this project.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that on 11th April 2012 the Cabinet approved a 2 year programme to implement 20mph limits in residential roads throughout Bath & North East Somerset. A funding item of £500,000 was allocated for this work, and a nominal timescale indicated, which showed the project being rolled out progressively through 14 defined areas within the urban areas and larger villages, and a 15th phase to cover residential roads in all the smaller villages, to be completed by the end of 2013. A period of approximately 7 months has been allowed, from the start of consultation to implementation, for each phase. No detailed costing of the proposal had been carried out at this stage.

He added that 76,000 households have been informed about our plans for 20 mph zones across the district in the summer edition of Connect Magazine. The next stage of our communications plan is to raise awareness through the media and our own communication channels about when and where the plans are being rolled out. A media launch is planned to coincide with implementation of the Twerton/Southdown 20 limit, which signals the beginning of the 20mph roll-out.

The first 20mph limit area (Twerton/Southdown) is due to be implemented on 24^th September. Consultation has now finished for the second area, Peasedown St John, with 615 leaflets returned by the end of August (out of 2800 distributed). 61.4% of returns supported the proposal, 4.3% had no opinion, and 32.1% were against. Consultation is currently being carried out in Newbridge/Weston and Keynsham, with leaflets due to be returned by 17th and 26th September respectively.

Mr Gerald Chown addressed the Panel. He said that he wished to make 2 points, one Specific and the other General.

He firstly wanted to make a special plea for the inclusion of Widcombe Hill as a 20mph zone. He explained that it is a steep, narrow, residential access road to the City centre and that he has lived in Macaulay Buildings for over 40 years. In that time he said that there had a been a huge increase in traffic volumes and an increasing number of car and cycle accidents, caused by drivers and cyclists taking the road bend at Macaulay Buildings too quickly. He added that the Council had installed signs and road surface treatments to slow cyclists, but suggested that the introduction of a 20mph limit at an appropriate point above the road bend would reduce the risk of more accidents and help to ensure that drivers take the rest of the Hill more slowly.

His second and more general point was to suggest that it would be less confusing for drivers if 20mph limits were in place on all residential access roads to the City. He stated that this would make it clear that the whole City is a 20mph zone and it would be simpler and more effective than a piecemeal approach. He said it would also save cost by reducing the multiplicity of signs and road markings, which are involved in the piecemeal approach.

He also asked which roads were individually affected by the introduction of the scheme.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that all of the information relating to the individual roads was available on the Council’s website and said that Mr Chown could contact him personally if he required any further information. He added that the current plan was to only include the lower half of Widcombe Hill within the scheme.

The Chairman asked if the list of wards within Appendix 1 was in order of priority and what was likely to happen to the wards at the end of the list given that a shortfall of £100,000 currently existed.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that the wards listed within Appendix 1 were in order of priority and that indeed it might not be possible to complete the planned work for Lyncombe, Widcombe and Bathwick given the current shortfall.

The Chairman asked if he could explain a little more how the figure of £60,000 was reached to embark on ‘soft measures’ / social marketing methods.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that a University of the West of England study done on Bristol’s behalf had suggested that the social marketing element of widespread 20mph limits should attract around 10% of the total scheme cost, therefore if the Council were to do something similar, a funding element of up to £60,000 in total would need to be found.

Councillor Caroline Roberts commented that road safety was the biggest mailbag topic that she receives. She asked if the scheme could be introduced on major roads near to schools.

 The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that the Council could think about having a lower speed limit in these areas and offered to take some readings if required. He added that he would welcome any residents who wished to bring forward initiatives.

Councillor Caroline Roberts questioned whether the proposed stage eight of the scheme in Abbey / Kingsmead needed to be carried out.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that he would look into that.

Councillor Brian Webber commented that it was policy decision made by the ruling party to introduce the scheme and one that he did not agree with. He added that he was obviously in favour of road safety and believed himself to be a cautious driver but said there was no evidence to support the decision made. He stated that he felt the conclusions reached were merely provisional and had not reduced the number of accidents.

He suggested that further flashing speed warning signs and road reconfiguration is installed and that an assessment of the schemes should be carried out once they have been introduced.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that some of the evidence could be conceived as tenuous, but he was well aware of the huge concern over traffic speed / flow from the public. He added that he felt that the Government / Department for Transport had not led strongly enough on this matter.

Councillor Geoff Ward commented that more rural areas needed to be part of the scheme and highlighted the Hartley Bends as a particular problem area.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that as this was an A road it came under the jurisdiction of the Highways Agency.

Councillor Geoff Ward asked if he was able to liaise with the Highways Agency on behalf of the Council.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that he had actually met with them in the previous week and did discuss the Hartley Bends. He said that the Highways Agency do not see that area of the road as a big problem.

Councillor Ian Gilchrist commented that he hoped he could save the Council some money by informing them that Greenway Lane already had a 20mph restriction in place. He added that he understood why the focus was currently on Bath and asked that members of the Panel be involved when addressing the maps relating to 20mph roads.

Councillor David Martin commented that he was in favour of Widcombe Hill becoming 20mph from top to bottom. He also hoped that areas of Bathwick could be included within the scheme.

The Chairman on behalf of the Panel thanked the officer for the update.