Agenda item

An update will be provided on a number of transport and highways issues in the Ward.

Martin Fletcher noted some of the concerns regarding highways issues in the Wycliffe. The following was noted:

·         Pedestrian safety & accessibility.

·         Inconsiderate Parking / Pavement Parking.

·         Parking – build outs (a work for narrowing a carriageway constructed on one side of that carriageway as an extension of or adjacent to the verge, footway or cycle track) and bollards, road humps removal.

·         One-way requests – Mere Rd & Keythorpe St.

·         Highway condition (Potholes / Road Markings).

·         Petitions in relation to several road issues in the Ward.

·         The safer routes schemes which were previously implemented in the Wycliffe Ward to prevent and reduce casualties.

·         The pedestrian build-out features supported key objectives relating to road safety, therefore there was no plan to remove these build outs.

One Way systems:

·         There was a current team of consultants who were carrying out site surveys and information gathering to explore the feasibility of one way systems at Mere Road, Keythorpe Street and some other streets/ roads in the Ward.

·         There was a suggestion of a one way system from Darley Street towards Hartington Road.

·         Traffic Impact assessments and surveys would be taking place on Melbourne Road and the impact would need to be thought through.

·         Possible changes to the existing one way systems were being looked at.

·         Martin noted that Highways were working with the City Mayor to identify possible funds for the potential schemes.

The next steps would be:

·         To decide on which schemes would take priority and establish funding.

·         Create a detailed design and carry out traffic impact surveys.

·         A formal consultation would need to take place with the Emergency Services, Buses and Public.

·         Following the submission of the petition – decide what to go ahead with.

The meeting was well attended with residents, many of which expressed ideas and concerns, some residents agreed and others disagreed. Residents were also encouraged to write down their views using the paper and pencils provided at the meeting. The following was noted from residents comments at the meeting:

·         Double Yellow Lines requested on Mere Road.

·         The dangers of Mere Road were reported, that due to the incorrect parking, at times the Fire Service had difficulties gaining access through the road.

·         Request for bollards to be removed as a way of resolving the parking issue.

Councillor Master and Martin both expressed the concern about the dangers of removing the bollards as these were part of Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) to increase traffic flow and seen as safe places to cross.

·         The Mere Road one way scheme was proposed/ requested from Ashbourne Street and not Darley Street.

·         Concerns that children were using the bollards as goal posts.

·         Some residents felt that parking permits would be a solution but others disagreed.

·         It was felt that the bus stop and parking bays on Melbourne Street were in the wrong locations and a one way system would not be the answer to improvements on this road.

·         A resident suggested charging £1 a day for any vehicles parked after a households first vehicle (i.e. households 2nd and 3rd vehicle would receive charge), other residents disagreed.

·         More parking enforcement should be undertaken.

Councillor Master noted that traffic enforcement officers could now issue tickets instantly rather than having to wait five minutes on vehicles requiring a penalty notice.

·         Martin also informed the meeting that a process to increase traffic enforcement officers was currently in place.

·         A survey was requested as part of a response to a petition which had been compiled for Vulcan Road addressing the dangers of the two way traffic near Frederick Road.

Martin noted that Vulcan Road was already one of the Roads being looked at.

·         It was requested that Vulcan Road was surveyed on Tuesdays and Thursdays as mosque users vehicles were reported to be parked in many incorrect places.

·         Metal plates on Vulcan Road had been identified.

Martin noted that a road closure was being organised to identify what the metal plates were covering.

·         Vulcan Road conditions were reported to be in disrepair. It was requested for Officers, Councillors and residents to do a walk in the Ward looking at the state of the roads.

·         Berners Street junction/ Melbourne Road, a resident reported that the road condition was not in a good state and required repairs.

·         The double yellow lines proposed on Kent Street were queried.

·         Some trees required pruning – no specific areas mentioned.

·         Suggestions to redesign the build outs or only allow them to be a wheelchair size.

Officers/ Councillors summary:

·         It was noted that three petitions had been received with regards to some of the streets/ roads discussed above.

·         Martin noted that any schemes that were likely to take place, feedback would be most likely provided this financial year 2017/18 but implementation would not commence until the next financial year 2018/19.

·         All residents would be consulted over the details and traffic regulation processes.

·         Both Councillors’ Master and Aqbany encouraged residents to download and use the Love Leicester online application to report concerns.