Archived decisions

APPENDIX

Dear Barry

A326 Safety Improvements, Marchwood - Twiggs Lane to Staplewood Lane

Thank you for consulting the National Park Authority on the above proposals and for arranging a site meeting to brief officers on the details of the scheme.

The National Park Authority recognises that the A326 creates a severance issue between the Waterside communities and the National Park, and is therefore broadly supportive of schemes which improve access between these two areas. The Authority is also aware that the recent poor accident record has contributed to the urgent need for safety improvements on the A326.

The proposed scheme broadly breaks down into three areas; puffin crossing, street lighting and improvements to the informal drop of point for school children. Our comments are set out below against each of the three areas.

Proposed Puffin Crossing

The delivery of the proposed puffin crossing will create a safer environment for pedestrians, in particular those accessing the nearby infant school. Whilst this is welcomed, our understanding is that surveys associated with feasibility work did not pick up a demand for a crossing for cyclists and equestrians. However given the low number of safe crossing points of the A326 for vulnerable road users, perhaps consideration could be given to upgrading the crossing at a later date to cater for these user groups.

The Authority understands that new footways linking the proposed crossing with the existing highway network will be constructed to current standards, and where within the National Park boundary, a more appropriate surface dressing will be considered. Fencing to separate the footways from the highway network will be traditional wooden post and rail.

In general the Authority would ask that signing associated with the scheme be kept to a minimum, such as signing the proposed puffin crossing for a period of 3 months post implementation

Proposed Street lighting

Unfortunately the proposals involve a considerable net gain in street lighting and associated lighting columns. Whilst acknowledging that the highway authority has a statutory responsibility to light the proposed puffin crossing to a distance of 60m either side, the Authority would question the need for any additional lighting above this statutory requirement. Additional street lighting will create significant light pollution which will impact upon the tranquillity of this sensitive National Park setting, and the lamp columns will create a visual intrusion.

It is noted that the speed limit in the vicinity of the site has recently been reduced to 40mph, and that anti-skid material has been laid. Perhaps these measures alone could be monitored over a period of years to assess whether their introduction results in the desired reduction in accidents. This may negate the need for non-statutory lighting.

Proposed Informal Turning Head

The Authority understands that there is demand for improvements to the existing informal drop off point to enable local residents to safety access their properties at peak times. The turning head is located within the National Park boundary and as such any design and materials should be sympathetic to the environment. You agreed to prepare some sketches of a potential scheme which would be shared with the Authority's Landscape Officer, Sarah Kelly.

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Given that the works are scheduled to commence in early 2010, the Authority hope that some of the proposals can be revisited, particularly with regard to the street lighting elements.

Thank you again for consulting the National Park Authority.