Issue - meetings

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

35.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

35.2     Councillor Jackie Appleton, the Lead Petitioner for the petition calling on the County Council to Full traffic safety survey through the villages of Arlington and Caneheath spoke to highlight concerns including road safety for vulnerable road users, the increased speed of vehicles observed since a previous speed survey was conducted, the use of the routes as a cut through between the A22 and A27 and the number of non-personal injury crashes in the area.

DECISIONS

35.3     The Lead Member RESOLVED to advise petitioners that:

(1) an assessment of the safety record of the roads detailed in the petition has been undertaken by the Road Safety Team and there are no locations that meet the Council’s threshold for inclusion in the annual road safety programme; and

(2) the roads and lanes within the parishes of Arlington, Berwick and Long Man set out at paragraph 1.1 of the report do not meet the Council’s policy for a 40mph speed limit, and measures such as gateway features, Vehicle Activated Signs and improved signage may be appropriate. These measures could be considered via the Community Match initiative. The Traffic and Safety team can provide Arlington Parish Council with advice over what measures could be considered.

REASONS

35.4     Speed surveys have shown that average speeds on Caneheath, The Street and Arlington Road West are already very close to or below 40mph, and it is expected that the other roads detailed in paragraph 1.1 of the report will have broadly similar average speeds. A lower speed limit on the roads and lanes detailed in paragraph 1.1 of the report does not meet the Council’s policy for a 40mph speed limit for the reasons set out in paragraphs 2.4 and 2.5 of the report. An assessment of the safety record of the roads specified in the petition has been carried out and there are no locations that meet the Council’s threshold for inclusion in the annual road safety programme.

35.5     Whilst a lower speed limit does not meet the Council’s policy for a 40mph limit, other road safety improvements could be considered should an alternative source of funding become available, or if an application through Community Match was successful. The Traffic and Safety Manager is happy to meet to discuss possible options for consideration through Community Match. The speed data for Caneheath, The Street and Arlington Road West that was recently collected can be provided to the group, upon request and further speed data collections can be arranged, should external funding be available.