Agenda item

Report ES13021

Changes were recommended at the entrance to the Nugent Centre and nearby locations to reduce congestion and improve safety.

Traffic had increased since completion of the Nugent Centre and queuing, particularly from vehicles turning right on to Cray Avenue (A224), had delayed traffic. A staggered Pelican crossing south of the exit added to congestion with frequent crossings by shoppers across Cray Avenue. It was recommended that the crossing be removed and traffic signals added with pedestrian facilities at the Nugent Centre entrance. This would enable the “walk with traffic” design to be used, minimising delay as some traffic would be able to proceed while pedestrians were crossing.

Such a signal controlled junction would help control vehicles exiting and entering the retail park. Accidents would be reduced as each movement would have its own movement stage, avoiding give way operation. Additionally, shoppers would be more likely to park in the Nugent Centre car park as there would be a dedicated exit stage.

It was also recommended that the section of bus lane, currently suspended, be permanently removed. Although there might be a slight delay to buses, it was expected that their delays overall (in both directions) should be reduced by the improvements proposed.

At detailed design stage it was reported that there might be some changes, including a possible relocation of the bus stop on the southbound approach to the entrance, and the possible addition of a left turn filter lane into the Nugent Centre bypassing the new traffic signals.

As a next stage, it was also proposed to consider linking the Nugent Centre junction with the Leesons Hill traffic signals and use Urban Traffic Control (UTC) along much of the A224. By UTC, Transport for London could take direct control of any traffic signal, including crossings, when long traffic queues were detected. CCTV was usually required for visibility.

An options report was also proposed for considering improvements to the A224/Leesons Hill/Station Road junction and the A224/Station Approach junction.

Installing a no right turn ban at the A224/Leesons Hill junction during the Chislehurst Road bridge closure improved A224 traffic flow and reduced the number of injury accidents at the junction. It was recommended that the ban remain in place for congestion and safety reasons.  

Councillor Grainger asked why a signal controlled junction was preferred to a roundabout, which he felt would keep traffic moving. It was explained that a roundabout had been considered by officers but was not recommended. It would mean the existing pelican crossing would have to remain. The proposed new arrangements included a pedestrian phase in the traffic signals which was considered the best option by officers. Modelling figures for a roundabout would be provided to Councillor Grainger for information. Before arriving at a recommendation, Councillor Grainger indicated that he would have preferred to have seen more evidence on the roundabout option including associated traffic flow figures.

Councillor Grainger also suggested part time signals but it was thought that these might not have been supported by officers. With a signal controlled junction, the traffic lights would take account of the absence of any traffic queue from the retail park.

As a further alterative to traffic signals, Councillor Fookes suggested banning right turns and providing other entrances/exits to the retail park. However, any banning of right turns could encourage motorists to “u-turn” along the A224 and the provision of other entrances/exits was not advocated. Councillor Grainger suggested a vehicle exit along the wide pedestrian route from Marks and Spencer at the Nugent Centre to Mill Brook Road/St Mary Cray High Street (B258). However, the Head of Traffic and Road Safety anticipated a significant issue with channelling a large amount of traffic along such a route. In addition, the Assistant Director (Transport and Highways) anticipated concerns from Affinity Sutton with traffic passing residential land.

The Chairman invited Councillor John Ince (Cray Valley West), to address the Committee. Councillor Ince opposed retention of the current right turn bans at the nearby A224 /Leesons Hill/Station Road junction (Recommendation 2.5 of Report ES13021). He also spoke on behalf of Councillor Fortune and a number of local residents in this regard. Since introducing right turn bans to ease A224 traffic flow during the Chislehurst Road Bridge closure, Councillor Ince indicated that Broomwood Road had been used to provide access via other residential roads to Leesons Hill. There was also an industrial area along Murray Road off Leesons Hill. If the right turn bans continued and more traffic was also generated along Station Approach, Councillor Ince felt that some controls would be needed along this road. To avoid a right turn ban into Station Road, views received by Councillor Fortune also indicated that motorists turn right into Kent Road and then left along St Mary Cray High Street.

Councillor Ince also suggested that the cycle lanes are removed from the A224 near the Nugent Centre to improve traffic flow. He also referred to two lanes converging into one along the A224.

Noting that an options report was proposed on improvements to the A224/ Leesons Hill/Station Road junction and the A224/Station Approach junction, Councillor Ince would be prepared to assess the effects of a new signalised junction at the Nugent Centre, including A224 traffic flow, but he wanted to register his objection to the recommendation at 2.5 of Report ES13021.

In the last three years there were 12 injury accidents at the A224/Leesons Hill/Station Road junction with just one of these occurring since the right turn ban was introduced. Additionally, during the right turn bans, 57 cars per hour were delayed compared with delay to approximately 200 vehicles per hour before the right turn bans. On balance, officers favoured retaining the right turn bans. 

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher supported the proposed removal of the bus lane. Motorists were hesitant on when to lawfully use the bus lane - she had noticed that it was usually empty, even during busy times. She also supported the consideration of other options for the A224/ Leesons Hill/Station Road junction apart from a right turn ban. Concerning the earlier suggestion of using the wide pedestrian route from Marks and Spencer, Nugent Centre, to Mill Brook Road/St Mary Cray High Street (B258), she cautioned against this in view of the B258 being particularly busy on a Saturday.

Councillor Ince favoured removing the bus lane along the A224 between Carlton Parade and Poverest Road. 

Given the views expressed on retaining the right turn bans at the A224/ Leesons Hill/Station Road junction, the Chairman suggested that Recommendation 2.5 of Report ES13021 reflect a retaining of the bans pending a review of the junction. Members were advised that it would take some time for the new Nugent Centre signals to be installed and this would enable any suggestions for the Leesons Hill junction to be considered.

As the traffic flow had improved along the A224 and taking account of the wishes of local residents to have the right turn bans lifted at the Leesons Hill junction, Councillor Grainger recommended a roundabout at the junction. He added that for northbound traffic along the A224, the only significant right turn options available with the current bans were at Kent Road or Main Road. He also felt that the pavement should be aligned along the A224 where, heading southwards, the road reduced to a single lane beyond the Poverest Road junction. Councillor Grainger was also in support of transferring the cycle lane from the road to a shared footway.

Councillor Ince highlighted that the top of Station Approach was prone to congestion and he cautioned against encouraging more traffic along the road by retaining the right turn bans.

For Recommendation 2.3 of Report ES13021, Councillor Grainger suggested that Members in the surrounding area should also be consulted by the Executive Director in addition to the Portfolio Holder and Ward Members. 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

(1)  agree the proposal to implement Traffic signals at the Entrance/Exit of the Nugent retail park, as detailed in drawings labelled ‘11239- 01’ and that the existing staggered Pelican crossing be removed and a full pedestrian crossing stage be incorporated in the new proposed traffic signals;

(2)  approve the permanent removal of the bus lane, which is currently suspended;

(3)  delegate authority to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Ward Members, to implement any changes considered necessary at the detailed design stage; and

(4)  agree that the scheme construction costs of £80k be met from the Transport for London funding for Congestion Relief Schemes; and

(5)  approve retention of the current right turn bans at the nearby junction with Leesons Hill and Station Road pending a review of the junction.