Decision details

(1) Construction of a roundabout at the junction of Warren Road and Court Road (A224) is approved at an estimated cost of £148k.

(2)  One or two Vehicle Activated Signs are to also be considered in the vicinity of the scheme to reduce vehicle speed.

(3)  Authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Ward Members, to approve the scheme’s detailed design.

From June 2005 to August 2016, a total of 15 collisions have occurred at the junction of Warren Road and Court Road (A224), including one fatal collision and three serious collisions. In view of their number and pattern, as well as safety concerns raised by Ward Members, the construction of a roundabout is proposed at the junction to improve road safety.

Of four design options, Option C is preferred comprising a compact roundabout to improve movement through the junction for Warren Road vehicles. Vehicle speeds will also be reduced on Court Road to negotiate the junction and for the value of collisions saved compared to intervention cost, Option C offers the highest First Year Rate Return at 117%.   

Some land will be required on the north eastern (highway verge) and south western sides of the junction (land ownership unclear at present). The existing access into Rose Cottage might also need relocating subject to the owner’s agreement and a £20k allocation for the work is included in the scheme cost. Prior to construction, further investigation will also be made into statutory undertakers’ equipment at the junction with a number of BT cables, EDF cables, and Thames Water pipes running under the carriageway. Initial assessments of plans suggest they should not present an issue but a more detailed analysis of information (and trial holes) will be necessary at detailed design stage. Design of Option C will also require vehicle tracking assessments to check if vehicles are able to carry out all movements at the junction. 

The estimated scheme cost at £148k will be funded from the Casualty Reduction allocation in the 2017/18 LIP budget of £262k.

In supporting the Report’s recommendations, the Environment PDS Committee also recommended that discretion be provided for one or two Vehicle Activated Signs if desired to help reduce vehicle speed in the vicinity of the scheme.