Agenda item

Report ES13059

At the Leesons Hill/Station Road junction with Sevenoaks Way a right turn ban was introduced during the Chislehurst road bridge closure. The bridge reopened in November 2012 and a decision was taken in April 2013 to maintain the ban to assist traffic flow along the A224 - at least until completion of the Nugent traffic signal scheme planned for autumn 2013.

Requests had been received from some residents to remove the right turn ban as local journey time had increased and the ban was causing localised inconvenience. Accordingly, the Portfolio Holder asked officers to investigate alternatives to the right turn ban.

Options were presented on alternatives to the current design; officers recommended Option 2 as providing the greatest benefits. An estimated cost for each option was also provided.

Councillor Ellis as a Cray Valley West Ward Member held a number of meetings with residents. She referred to drivers circumventing the current right turn ban by using adjacent/local roads. Acknowledging a reduced level of congestion on the A224 as a result of the ban, Councillor Ellis favoured investment to improve the road - two lanes ahead in both directions - and a dedicated right turn lane in each direction (Option 2). This was recommended by the Head of Traffic and Road Safety and if approved, the carriageway would be widened accordingly. The option would also provide a pedestrian crossing stage on each arm of the junction so providing less risk of accidents compared to options for a roundabout. Although accidents at roundabouts tend to be less serious in view of slower speeds, roundabouts also had disadvantages if the flow from the different arms was too uneven. If it was necessary to proceed with a roundabout, the Head of Traffic and Road Safety recommended Option 1B.

In view of pedestrian crossings adversely affecting traffic flow, Councillor Grainger suggested a consideration of Option 1B without a pedestrian crossing. He referred to a study in Belgium and suggested that both accidents and their severity reduced with a roundabout. The speed of vehicles reduced and traffic flow increased. There were less collisions and a roundabout offered significant benefits in helping reduce vehicle CO2 emissions. As well as being safer, capacity at roundabouts could also be increased. Additionally, Councillor Grainger referred to a Swiss study and to the costs of Options 1A, 1B and 2.

A roundabout was not the preferred approach of officers in the context of pedestrian safety and road crossing. Without a signalised crossing, pedestrians could take risks. Councillor Catherine Rideout enquired of any support for blind and partially sighted pedestrians and the Head of Traffic and Road Safety advised against any scheme without a crossing facility.

Councillor Peter Fortune as a ward Member for Cray Valley East sought to ensure that local residents were properly served - a number of residents travelled out of St Mary Cray to the Cray Valley. He outlined his preference for Option 2. The Assistant Director (Transport and Highways) also advised of an intention to link three junctions along the A224 (including Leesons Hill junction) with intelligent signalised technology.

Supporting her preference for Option 2, Councillor Ellis suggested that there might be insufficient gaps in traffic for vehicles to enter - some drivers were not patient. There were also large housing developments locally from which a significant amount of traffic could be generated. Additionally, there were a number of elderly residents in the area and a number of families with children. Councillor Ellis wanted these and other residents to have the option of crossing safely. She felt that a roundabout without sufficient controlled crossings was not good.

Members were advised that the larger a roundabout, the slower traffic moved around it and the easier it becomes for vehicles to enter. It was also confirmed that intelligent traffic signals would be used for a signalised junction.

Councillor Grainger felt that Option 1B addressed the desire of users. It also included a crossing. He suggested that on the basis of evidence, roundabouts are safer with any accidents usually minor. There was also no downtime with a roundabout and it is a less expensive option. 

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher highlighted that the War Memorial roundabout at the end of Orpington High Street had a zebra crossing on its arms. She enquired whether a similar approach could apply at the Leesons Hill junction. Members were advised that adding more crossing facilities to the arms of a roundabout would diminish traffic flow. Additionally, zebra crossings were considered inappropriate near stations as traffic queues could form with a high volume of pedestrian throughput. Traffic Signals were preferred to a zebra crossing as they provided a set amount of time to cross. With a roundabout option, having one pedestrian controlled crossing near to Station Road was preferred by officers.

Councillor Nick Milner concluded that with a crossing needed for pedestrians to and from St Mary Cray Station along with crossings ideally needed on the other arms of a roundabout, a signalised junction seemed the best approach. On balance, Councillor Getgood also supported a signalised junction, preferring Option 2. He advocated use of intelligent signal technology e.g. technology allowing traffic lights to turn red when there is no traffic.

In consideration of cyclists, Members were advised of a cycle route on the western side of the A224. However, a roundabout would remove the signal crossing currently available at the junction and introduce a risk in crossing.

It was confirmed to Councillor Grainger that any new signalisation would have an on-going cost for electricity and maintenance.

Upon a vote it was agreed by a majority to support the recommendation that the Portfolio Holder approves Option 2. Councillor Grainger asked for his support of Option 1B to be recorded along with his opposition to Option 2. 

 RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

(1)  approve Option 2, the widening of the A224 Sevenoaks Way, to allow the introduction of dedicated right turn lanes and the re-introduction of right turn manoeuvres into Leesons Hill and Station Road; and

(2) delegate authority for approving the scheme’s detailed design to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Ward Members.