Agenda item

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

The Area Committee had previously discussed the issue of upgrading existing traffic-calming measures on Bramcote Lane at its meetings on 16 September 2013 (minute 18), 11 November 2013 (minute 26) and 17 February 2014 (minute 37).

Lylse-Anne Renwick introduced a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services updating the Committee on progress of the proposed traffic calming review scheme along Bramcote Lane between Wollaton Vale and Wollaton Road. The Committee also received a presentation by Navid Arif, Engineer, Highway Design. The main issues highlighted in the report and presentation were:

(a)  the majority of respondents to consultation supported or partially supported the proposals, but there was less support for chicane/give-way features because of concerns over congestion and tail-backs. As a result, chicane/give-way features will not be put in place, and instead 3 pedestrian refuges will be installed;

(b)  6 round top road humps are proposed to replace 7 existing speed cushions and the raised plateau near the Community Centre will be removed;

(c)  the proposed zebra crossing is to be relocated closer to the library and Community Centre and 2 bus stops (WO18 – Community Centre and WO07 – Library) will be moved slightly to accommodate the zebra crossing;

(d)  several changes around the Village Pump area are proposed, including extending the Riven Yorkstone paving around the pump to Wollaton Road, removing pedestrian guard railing, relocating illuminated bollards away from the Village Pump and uplighting the Village Pump to make it a more prominent local feature;

(e)  several changes to road signage are proposed, including relocating the ‘bend ahead’ sign near St Leonard’s Church and installing 20mph roundels (not vehicle-activated signs) on the carriageway;

(f)  new footway arrangements at both the northern and southern sides of the Bramcote Lane junction with Wollaton Road;

(g)  revised funding estimates are £100,000, with £60,000 from the Local Transport Plan and £40,000 from Wollaton West Area Capital Fund. The revised proposals are subject to consultation.

During discussion, councillors and community representatives made a number of points:

(h)  a community representative stated that a number of citizens had concerns about the proposed relocation of the zebra crossing, and that it should be located at Wollaton Vale, where there was greater footfall. Mr Arif explained that the Wollaton Vale location was not suitable. The smallest zebra crossing possible was 2.4 metres wide, and that once appropriate zigzag markings were in place this would block citizens’ driveways;

(i)  Mr Arif explained that the current location of a crossing point near to the roundabout was not ideal, because drivers normally accelerate away from roundabouts, and having to slow down suddenly can lead to shunting accidents;

(j)  a councillor and community representative suggested that a crossing refuge nearer to Glenwood would be more convenient for those crossing to and from the church and schools, and Mr Arif undertook to include this feedback in the consultation process;

(k)  a community representative did not support installing 20mph roundels and Mr Arif undertook to include this feedback in the consultation process.

RESOLVED to support the following proposals:

(1)  replace the existing seven pairs of speed cushions with six round top road humps; similar to the humps on Parkside.  One pair of speed cushions will be removed to allow one of three pedestrian refuges to be built.  This will also reduce the number of raised traffic calming features;

(2)  remove the existing raised plateau near the Community Centre and Library to further reduce the number of raised traffic calming features;

(3)  remove the three proposed chicane/ give-way features due to possible congestion issues and instead install three pedestrian refuges to improve pedestrian safety;

(4)  relocate the proposed zebra crossing closer to the Library and Community Centre to be closer to the pedestrian desire line and to lessen the possibility of congestion onto Wollaton Road;

(5)  slightly relocate bus stops (WO18 –Community Centre) and (WO07 - Library) to accommodate the proposed zebra crossing;

(6)  create new and safer crossing points for pedestrians by extending the paving (Riven Yorkstone) around the Village Pump to Wollaton Road;

(7)  create a new footway by building out from the northern side of Bramcote Lane with Wollaton Road and to accommodate three parking spaces adjacent to the cottages;

(8)  create a new safer crossing point for pedestrians by building out the footway on the southern side of Bramcote Lane with Wollaton Road.  This will also create potentially four new parking spaces adjacent to the cottages on the south side of Bramcote Lane;

(9)  remove the proposed two Vehicle Activated Signs (“too expensive” & “not in-keeping with the area”) and instead replace with 20mph roundels on the carriageway, at appropriate locations, to remind motorists to travel at 20mph;

(10)  relocate the existing internally illuminated “keep left” bollards away from the Village Pump and put in recessed up-lighters to highlight the Village Pump;

(11)  in partnership with Nottingham in Bloom relocate and upgrade the existing planters and put in additional planters where appropriate;

(12)  remove unnecessary pedestrian guard railing around the Village Pump area;

(13)  relocate the triangle warning “bend ahead” sign adjacent to St Leonard’s Church to a more appropriate location.