A Highways Officer will be present to provide an update on Highways issues in the ward.
Minutes:
Rupert Bedder, Highways Network Asset Manager and Sally Slade, Active Travel Team Leader, were present to provide an update on highways related matters in the ward, which included the following points:
· A petition regarding Northcote Road junction had been reported back to Councillors following several recent incidents, which had been investigated. A seven-day camera had been installed on the junction on 7th February 2023 and the footage was currently being reviewed to identify issues.
· An experimental order had been placed on Craighill Road since February 2022. While objections had been received early on, no objections remained. A public surgery had been held and results were being analysed.
· Regarding road maintenance, the following points were raised:
o Queens Road and Aston Boulevard roadworks had been completed.
o Chelmsford Road was currently being worked on.
· Bollards were being installed across the ward, noting 15 were being installed around the Stoneygate Islamic academy.
· Regarding issues on Carisbrooke Road, highway works on the crossing point had completed in January 2023. Installations on speed bumps were still awaited, following the finalisation of contracts for the rubber.
· Regarding speeding and rat running issues on Gilford Road, a traffic calming scheme was being implemented and was noted to be the current top priority.
· A report was being drafted regarding a petition involving rat running issues on Heather Road and would be reviewed soon.
· Temporary school measures had been made permanent on St Thomas More School. Measures for Overdale school was currently still in the experimental stage.
· The Clarendon Park Phase 3 parking scheme would be live from 10th March 2023 and signs were being put up around the area inside the Knighton ward.
A member of the public enquired whether there was a permanent scheme to block off the end of Knighton Drive or if the plastic bollards would be left there. It was noted that the scheme was still in the experimental stage for 18 months, awaiting any potential objections. A request for funding had been sent out in hopes to make the area more attractive, such as using planters. It was noted that the bollards would either be made permanent or taken out within the next six months.
A member of the public raised concern about speeding vehicles on Knighton Drive and Ratcliffe Road and requested traffic slowing measures be implemented. Councillors noted that Ratcliffe would be addressed following resolution of issues on Guildford, Northcote and Heather Roads.
A member of the public noted that most speeding issues on Northcote and Craighill Roads were at quiet times at night.
A member of the public requested the dates that the data for Northcote Road was taken. The Highways Officer agreed to take the request back and find out. It was noted that the data covered the whole area between May and October for 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Councillor Whittle highlighted that residents felt traffic speeds had been slower on Queens Road since its resurfacing, which was contradictory in comparison to beliefs that smoother roads increased traffic speed.
Members of the public raised concern about the phase 3 parking scheme in Clarendon Park pushing displacement parking onto Queens Road. It was noted that a residential parking scheme had been offered to residents on Queens Road but had been refused.
A member of the public enquired about the speed aimed for since calming measures had bene installed. It was noted that a 20mph speed limit was projected. Council aims were to increase the number of 20mph speed limit roads in residential areas.
Members of the public raised concern about the increase in pavement parking seen in the ward and enquired about a ward pavement parking ban. Councillors noted the issue, which had been causing concern on Clarendon Park, Overdale, Stanfell and Gainsborough Roads. Councillors noted the issues involved in trying to install a pavement parking ban and highlighted the need for a better system. Members of the public were encouraged to report issues on roads to Councillors to increase awareness.