Agenda item

An officer from the Highways & Transportation Section will give an update on highways and transport issues in the Abbey Ward and there will be a presentation on the Highways and Transportation Action Plan.

Jeff Miller, Director – Regeneration, Transport and Highways gave an update on the Highways and Transport Action for area, and specifically the following matters were discussed:

Parking in the surrounding roads

Jeff confirmed that the Parking and Traffic Regulation Order Team had visited the areas concerned. It was found that the only enforceable road was Beaumanor Road, and as a result enforcement action had been taken to address the issues.

Speeding traffic

Jeff confirmed that the Traffic Impact Team had visited the local hotspots to conduct traffic surveys. In relation to Somerset Avenue it was confirmed that speeding was not found to be a problem, that there had only been one personal injury in three years, and that the road was ranked 117^th on the priority list. In relation to Parker Drive it was confirmed that speeding was identified as a problem, the vehicle activated signs had not worked, that the road was ranked 4^th on the priority list and therefore traffic calming measures would be worked up for recommendation and would be brought back to the meeting for consultation. It was also confirmed that, although no budget had been identified for this, contributions were being sought from local developers. Finally, in relation to Marwood Road it was confirmed that no problems had been reported, that only four personal injury accidents had been reported in the last three years, that the road was ranked 27^th on the priority list and that any works needed would be brought forward in the 2011 Local Transport Plan.

Councillor Byrne, with the support of Councillors Bhavsar and Marriott, confirmed that consideration would be given to spending some Community Meeting funds on the Highways and Transport issues outlined within the action plan.

Residents raised the following questions/issues:

·        Consideration should be given to creating a one way system on Langley Avenue due to the speeding traffic;

·        The removal of the concrete bay on Halifax Drive has created additional problems;

·        The road surface on Hatton Avenue and Marwood Road was dangerous;

·        A resident was using a domestic garage to operate a car repair business, which in turn was creating safety issues to the large number of vehicles parked on the carriageway;

·        Speeding was said to occur at various times during the day on Somerset Avenue;

·        Measures to address speeding on Halifax Drive should be considered due to the length of the road. 

·        Visitors to the factories on Parker Drive were parking on the street rather than using the grounds of the companies they were visiting; and

·        That double yellow lines should be considered on Sudley Avenue.

In response, Officers from Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Constabulary stated that:

·        The Traffic Impact Team would investigate the issues on Langley Avenue, advising Councillors beforehand, and would report back to a future meeting;

·        That parking restrictions and traffic calming measures would be considered for Parker Drive and the options reported back to meeting;

·        The issues raised in relation to Halifax Drive and the removal of the concrete bay would be looked into;

·        That Trading Standards and the Police had been able to find no immediate issues with the garage operation on Marwood Road at the time;

·        That additional speed surveys would be arranged for Somerset Avenue and Halifax Drive at different times during the day; and

·        That the appropriateness of introducing double yellow lines on Sudley Avenue would be investigated and reported back to the meeting.