Agenda item

(CSP: SLE & SLE2)

Purpose: To report the results of the public consultation into the proposed highway improvement project and approve an appropriate way forward.

Resolved that:

(1)       The A339/Bear Lane Improvements and associated highway improvement works would be progressed, albeit with some changes to the proposals advertised in the consultation. The amended scheme was described as “Option 3” in Appendix A to this report, and involved:

(a)   Retaining the on-street parking on Cheap Street (south);

(b)   Replacing the “give way” priority junction at the Cheap Street/Market Street junction with a new traffic signal controlled junction incorporating controlled pedestrian crossings on all arms and a “no-entry” restriction which prevents access (except cycles) to Cheap Street (south);

(c)    Removing the existing pedestrian crossings on Cheap Street (north) and Market Street (these will be replaced by the crossings at the above junction);

(d)   Not implementing the proposed mini roundabout or pedestrian crossing on Cheap Street (south).

(2)       Traffic Regulation Orders to give effect to the various traffic restrictions required to deliver the project were taken to statutory advertisement and consultation, with any objections received being reported to the Executive Member for Highways and Transport for Individual Decision.

(3)       If approved, the revised proposal detailed in Paragraph 2.1 would be assessed by the VISSIM traffic modelling software prior to construction to check that the benefits were similar to the benefits of the original proposals.

(4)       If approved, an assessment of the air quality implications of the revised scheme be carried out.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 3^rd August 2017, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 7) which outlined the results of the public consultation into the proposed highway improvement project and which sought approval of an appropriate way forward. The report proposed that “Option 3” be progressed for the A339/Bear Lane improvements and associated highway improvement works, subject to amendments made following the consultation. This amended, proposed, scheme involved:

(1)     Retaining the on-street parking on Cheap Street (south);

(2)     Replacing the “give way” priority junction at the Cheap Street/Market Street junction with a new traffic signal controlled junction incorporating controlled pedestrian crossings on all arms and a “no-entry” restriction which prevented access (except cycles) to Cheap Street (south);

(3)     Removing the existing pedestrian crossings on Cheap Street (north) and Market Street (these would be replaced by the crossings at the above junction); and

(4)     Not implementing the proposed mini roundabout or pedestrian crossing on Cheap Street (south).

Councillor Jeanette Clifford confirmed that the goal was to improve traffic flows on the A339 as this was a road on which the whole district depended upon. As part of the s106 Agreement the developer of the Racecourse had committed to fund various off-site highway improvements in order to mitigate the effect of additional traffic resulting from the development. A contribution of £900k had been received in order to improve the A339/Bear Lane roundabout (Sainsbury’s roundabout). She referred to the recently completed new junction which had been provided on the A339 into the London Road Industrial Estate. This was a project which had been completed on time and to budget. The Sainsbury’s roundabout was simply not big enough and often resulted in queuing traffic on the roundabout. Traffic modelling had been undertaken and a number of options had been taken out to a comprehensive consultation exercise. The plan which was being put to the Executive that evening was even better than had originally been proposed. A large number of respondents to the consultation had called for the retention of parking along Cheap Street and consequently Officer’s had come up with a way to achieve this. This showed that the Council did respond positively to responses received through the consultation process. Councillor Clifford felt that this was a good scheme which had been designed and modelled by experts and would help to keep traffic moving.

Councillor James Fredrickson said that this was the second large infrastructure project in the Northcroft Ward. There had been a lot of cynicism around the London Road Industrial Estate junction but it had much improved the traffic flow and the success of that encouraged him that the project would improve safety and movement around the Sainsbury’s roundabout and that it would be completed on time. The improvements would release traffic and reduce air pollution in that area. The consultation exercise had been extensive and he thanked the press and the Communications Team for all their hard work around that. He confirmed that the Council had listened to the feedback received and where possible had accommodated changes to the scheme. There would be pain whilst construction of the junction was taking place but there would be a long term benefit.

Councillor Lee Dillon asked what about commuters accessing the station.  Councillor Jeanette Clifford responded that a balance needed to be struck. A large number of comments had been received about the loss of parking in Cheap Street and that needed to be balanced against the small number of commuters who accessed the station via Cheap Street South. Traffic counts had been undertaken and at peak time only 49 vehicles accessed the station in that way. There were alternative routes via the A339 and also along Bartholomew Street/Station Road. The balance was therefore in favour of retaining the parking along Cheap Street.

Councillor Billy Drummond agreed that the London Road Industrial Estate junction appeared to be working well. He asked whether there was a whole strategy in terms of the improvements along the A339. Councillor Jeanette Clifford stated that work would also take place on the Robin Hood roundabout when funding was available but at present the Council were doing what they could with the resources that they had. All junctions had been considered together in terms of modelling but the reality of the situation was around the funding.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       The A339/Bear Lane Improvements and associated highway improvement works to be progressed, albeit with some changes to the proposals advertised in the consultation. The amended scheme was described as “Option 3” in Appendix A to this report, and involved:

(a)       Retaining the on-street parking on Cheap Street (south);

(b)       Replacing the “give way” priority junction at the Cheap Street/Market Street junction with a new traffic signal controlled junction incorporating controlled pedestrian crossings on all arms and a “no-entry” restriction which prevented access (except cycles) to Cheap Street (south);

(c)       Removing the existing pedestrian crossings on Cheap Street (north) and Market Street (these would be replaced by the crossings at the above junction);

(d)       Not implementing the proposed mini roundabout or pedestrian crossing on Cheap Street (south).

(2)       That Traffic Regulation Orders to give effect to the various traffic restrictions required to deliver the project were taken to statutory advertisement and consultation, with any objections received being reported to the Executive Member for Highways and Transport for Individual Decision.

(3)       If approved, the revised proposal detailed in Paragraph 2.1 would be assessed by the VISSIM traffic modelling software prior to construction to check that the benefits were similar to the benefits of the original proposals.

(4)       If approved, an assessment of the air quality implications of the revised scheme was carried out.

Reason for the decision to be taken: To report the results of the public consultation into the proposed highway improvement project and approve an appropriate way forward.

Other options considered:

Option 1 - Implement the proposals unaltered.

Option 2 - Implement the proposals, with the following amendments:

(1)       Retain the on-street parking on Cheap Street (south);

(2)       Retain the current “give way” priority junction at the Cheap Street/Market Street junction but implement a “no-entry” restriction which prevents access (except cycles) to Cheap Street (south);

(3)       Do not implement the proposed mini roundabout or pedestrian crossing on Cheap Street (south).

Option 4 -  “Do minimum”:

(1)       Replace the traffic signals at the A339/Bear Lane junction with new equipment and implement a new control strategy;

(2)       Add the third lane to the northbound approach to the A339/Bear Lane junction;

(3)       Do not implement any of the other proposals