Officers from the Council will be in attendance to talk about Highways and Transport issues in the area including road safety and sustainable transport.
Minutes:
Ravi Mohankumar, Acting Team Leader, Traffic Impact Team attended the meeting to give an update on the Highways and Transport issues raised at the previous meeting as follows: -
Traffic Lights – London Road junction
Were being looked at.
Car Parking
Big issue, enforcement started in Castle area and information required as to areas to target.
Encouragement of people to car share, use buses, walk or cycle
Queens Road, Clarendon Park Road etc. – consultation took place in 2006 and outcome was that the residents did not want residents parking scheme
Clarendon Park Road – traffic calming introduced together with junction tables and raised crossings
Clarendon Park Road – assessment made of speeding traffic
Condition of Roads – Roads inspected on a regular basis. Feedback welcomed on potholes and these would be dealt with
Accident Blackspots – identified from information contained in road traffic statistics. When identified a scheme was drawn up to improve safety. 26 such sites had been identified this year
Cycling and Walking to Schools – City Council had introduced ‘Safer Routes to Schools’ schemes at a number of schools, although not all schools had such plans. Many parents drop children at school on way to workand then collect them on the way home. Some schools have large catchment areas. Work to address these issues was being looked at.
At this point questions were asked by the public present and responses were given as indicated.
Question 1
A Large area of derelict land was situated adjacent to Avenue Road Extension/Clarendon Park Road and it was questioned whether it would be possible to turn this site into a car park, although it was understood that there could be petrol and diesel storage tanks under the surface.
Response
The Chair stated that the land in question was actually owned by a private individual who was looking to develop the sites with residential properties. It would not be realistic to purchase this land for car parking. It was accepted that the site was an eyesore and the Council had limited powers to do anything about it. The owner had, so far, shown no interest in submitting a planning application to the Council. It was suggested that the City Wardens would be asked to speak to local people on their views regarding the future use of the site.
Question 2
Officers were asked to explain the process for the erection of temporary signs relating to road works. At the top end of Hazel Street recently a temporary sign had obscured a ‘No Entry’ sign meaning that for a couple of weeks Hazel Street had become two-way.
Response
Ravi stated that contractors should first get the necessary permissions from the Traffic Team at the City Council before any signs were erected.
Question 3
It was stated that a number of designated cycle lanes across the City ended abruptly, or were rather intimidating to use, putting some cyclists off using them.
Response
The Chair stated that the City Council hosted the Cycle City Workshop and input on cycle lanes and routes would be welcomed. Contact details for the City Council Cycling Officer were provided.
Question 4
It was stated that, over a period of time, London Road had been closed to enable several events to take place and some signs were still in place along London Road for events that already taken place. It was questioned what action the City Council would take.
Response
The City Wardens stated that they would look at this, although they already took down ‘out of date’ notices and signs, or would refer to the City Council to remove.
Question 5
Following a fatality at the roundabout at the London Road/Victoria Park junction it was questioned what action the City Council would be taking.
Response
A meting was planned to look at possible actions and information was awaited from the Police and the County Council. The Police investigation was underway to ascertain why the individual was killed and until this had been concluded limited action could be taken.
Question 6
It was stated that there was a problem with speeding traffic on Queens Road, and of damaged car door mirrors overnight, but that when the Police came to undertake speed checks the car drivers slowed down.
Response
Officers stated that if they were made aware of the specific times then speed surveys could be carried out and the results reported back.
Councillor Senior stated that several constituents had expressed concerns that certain roads were being used as ‘rat runs’ and that they had expressed a view that a 20mph zone be introduced. The streets concerned were Avenue Road, Gainsborough Road, Portland Road and Queens Road.
The officers stated that they were looking at implementing 20mph zones across several areas of the City. In the interim speed surveys could be carried out on request to check the speed of vehicles in various locations. It was possible for the City Council to carry out a range of schemes but these had to be prioritized due to the likely costs involved.
RESOLVED:
that the information be noted.