Archived decisions

Contact: Lee Porter, ext 5028

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the responses of the B3335 Twyford Village Traffic Management Scheme Consultation carried out, in cooperation with Twyford Parish Council, in July 2002. Comments were sought from local residents and stakeholders within the close surrounding area of the scheme to allow their views to be taken into account on the finalisation of the scheme (see attached location plan).

1.2 As a result of the consultation it is proposed to modify the proposed village gateways and further investigate the pedestrian crossing facility in the village centre.

2. Background

2.1 The Hampshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006 includes proposals, as part of the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS), to develop initiatives on transport corridors to promote bus routes, improvements to cycle and pedestrian facilities, road safety and improved connections to transport interchanges. CHARTS includes a commitment to develop three route strategies and one of these is for the B3335/B2177 Twyford to Wickham corridor. Twyford is the first village on the route to be studied in detail, to be followed by Colden Common.

2.2 It was agreed at this Panel on 23 February 2001 to start consultation on the B2177 Twyford to Wickham corridor. Funding for the scheme was approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 25 January 2002.

2.3 The main elements of the scheme are as follows:

(i) gateways at the southern and northern ends located at the 30/40 speed limit signs;

(ii) three uncontrolled crossing points;

(iii) new edge of carriageway white lining to provide visual narrowing of carriageway;

(iv) new kerbline to reduce bellmouth and widen footway at the junction with Bourne Lane; and

(v) upgrade of the existing bus shelter.

A plan of the scheme will be available at the meeting.

3. Consultation

3.1 The Twyford Consultation was held on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July 2002 at the Twyford Village Hall. The Parish Councils informed parishioners of the consultation and the County Council issued a press release. Each attendee was given access to a comments form which they could fill in on the day or take home and return within a three week period. Key stakeholders and interested parties were formally consulted. The exhibition was attended by approximately 300 members of the public over the two days and a total of 131 comments were returned.

4. Consultation Data Analysis

4.1 A total of 77% of the respondents agreed with the scheme in general with 54% requesting minor modifications.

4.2 Of the modifications suggested, the following is the order of preference by ten consultees or more:

(i) extend the area of coverage for the 30 mph limit;

(ii) install speed cameras;

(iii) general comments concerning lines and signs;

(iv) incorporate/coordinate the crossroads crossing and traffic lights;

(v) limit heavy goods vehicles access through Twyford village;

(vi) add gateways features (flowers/five bar gates/cattle grid) at village entry to enhance realisation of speed restriction;

(vii) increase number of controlled crossings;

(viii) increase number of uncontrolled crossings; and

(ix) install mirrors/reactive signs.

A summary of the comments is attached as an appendix.

4.3 The following responded by letter:

(i) Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Councillor Peter Mason, Twyford Parish Council and Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind were supportive of the scheme as it stands.

(ii) Winchester City Council, Hampshire Cyclists' Touring Club and local City Councillor Jim Wagner were supportive of the scheme but requested some degree of modification.

5. Responses to Suggested Modifications

Extend 30 mph Limit

5.1 The existing speed signs are sited on the edge of the village, and to extend them would require a Traffic Regulation Order, which may not be supported by the police. Any proposals for Colden Common, which is the next village on the route, would also impact upon the modification of existing speed limits. No firm decision should be made until after consultation on draft proposals for Colden Common.

Install `Speed' Cameras

5.2 It is not County Council policy to install `speed' cameras at locations other than those with a known high accident record relating to speed. Furthermore, Hampshire Constabulary is unwilling to place new fixed site safety cameras at sites that do not have a proven evidence of severe road casualties, a condition not supported by accident figures for Twyford.

General Sign and Line Comments

5.3 Regarding respondents' comments on use of signage and road lining, most requests were not feasible due to limitations within regulations or to the lack of specified details. Two issues that will be assessed further are the possibility of yellow lines on Park Lane in Twyford, and the request for the reinstatement of yellow lines around the corner outside Twyford Post Office.

Incorporating Twyford Crossroads and the Pedestrian Crossing

5.4 Incorporating the existing controlled pedestrian crossing with the traffic lights at Twyford will need to be subject to a more detailed and comprehensive investigation. Any modifications to the crossing will not, however, affect the implementation of the rest of the scheme. It is therefore the intention to separate this issue from the proposed scheme to enable the scheme to be progressed without delay.

Restriction of Heavy Goods Vehicles Access

5.5 Access for heavy goods vehicles through Twyford cannot be restricted as the B3335/B2177 is at this time an advisory local lorry route, and in times of emergency is used by the police to offer an alternative to the M3 motorway.

Modifying Gateways

5.6 Flower planters and gates are an easy and inexpensive option that could be integrated into the scheme to enhance the gateway features. Twyford Parish Council has expressed support for this modification.

Modifying/Adding Crossings

5.7 The current number of proposed crossings has been agreed with Twyford Parish Council. The proposal for zebra crossings is not feasible as they would not meet the standards and criteria relating to the volume of traffic and pedestrians.

Installing Mirrors/Reactive Signs

5.8 It is County Council policy not to encourage the installation of mirrors due to problems with reflection and distortion. Reactive signs are only used on a trial basis at sites which have a high injury accident report.

6. Conclusions

6.1 From the analysis of the Consultation responses, it is clear that the majority of respondents support the proposed scheme. Modifications in response to comments will be incorporated in the detailed design for the scheme.

6.2 Further work is also proposed to address the feasibility of the incorporation of the controlled pedestrian crossing with the Twyford Crossroads traffic signals.

6.3 The results of the Consultation have been discussed with Twyford Parish Council, which approves of the proposed modifications and supports the suggested way forward for the issue of pedestrians crossing at the crossroads.

Recommendations

1. That Members note the outcome of the consultation.

2. That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Panel:

(i) notes the proposed modifications;

(ii) asks that detailed designs be undertaken to take the scheme forward to implementation; and

(iii) asks that work be undertaken to investigate pedestrian crossing facilities at the traffic signals in the village centre.

7413/LP

APPENDIX

Twyford Consultation Responses July 2002

Rank No¹ Issue

1 22 Extend the area of coverage of existing 30 mph speed limits/ lower existing speed limits

2 19 Install speed cameras

3 17 General signs/lines comments

4 14 Incorporate/coordinate cross-roads crossing with the traffic

lights

5 13 Limit HGV access

=6 12 Add gateways/flowers/cattle-grid at entry to enhance realisation

of speed restriction

=6 12 Increase number of controlled crossings

8 11 Increased number of uncontrolled crossings

9 10 Install mirrors/reactive signs

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10 8 Raised carriageways

=11 7 Pro narrowing and chicanes

=11 7 Hedge trimming

13 5 Pay greater attention to Finches Lane

=14 3 Bourne/Hazeley Road suggestions

=14 3 Wider roads needed

=16 2 Restrict further building in Twyford

=16 2 Create cycle path

=18 1 Surface noise concern

Visibility at crossroads

Maps inaccurate

Proposed "neighbourhood speed watch"

Widen the pathways

Build a bypass