Agenda item

Report ES19805

With an increase of pedestrians and cyclists visiting Crystal Palace Park (travelling to and from nearby stations) and to provide a safe and more accessible crossing point at the junction of Crystal Palace Park Road and Thicket Road (a gateway to Crystal Palace Park), approval was sought for a Toucan Crossing to be installed. 

In recent counts over 300 pedestrians crossed at the junction during two hours of peak time on a weekday and over 700 pedestrians at a similar two-hour period on a Saturday. The PV² Value to justify a pedestrian crossing for the junction (using traffic count figures over two days in September 2019) was more than double the threshold needed. Residents have requested a pedestrian crossing at the location, many expressing safety concerns, particularly for those crossing with children. Ten personal injury collisions have also occurred at the location over a five-year period resulting in two serious injuries with one pedestrian sustaining slight injury.  

Modelling also shows a high level of pedestrian severance at the location and the surrounding area has strong potential to switch from local car trips to walking. L B Bromley’s LIP3 also aspires to extend Cycleway 7 (to end at Crystal Palace Parade) into Bromley via Crystal Palace Park and the route onwards towards Penge to link with the Lower Sydenham to Bromley and Greenwich to Kent House Quietways at New Beckenham. A Toucan crossing forms a key part of the aspiration, linking Crystal Palace Park to residential streets to promote cycling for local trips and trips to neighbouring boroughs. The crossing would also link pedestrians/cyclists to residential streets around Penge East Station.

Although a parallel Zebra Crossing is not viable (traffic congestion from heavy pedestrian footfall), a Signalled Controlled Crossing in the form of a Toucan Crossing (combined pedestrian and cycle crossing) provides safer crossing for pedestrians and cyclists and would also be demand dependent.

A shared path along the wide section of footway on the northern side between Thicket Road and Crampton Road would also be proposed and the opportunity taken to review dropped kerbs and tactile paving in the area. The urban realm would also be improved by adding trees and seating where appropriate. Additionally, a highly visible crossing surface could be added e.g. colourful dinosaur footprints which will help to highlight the crossing for drivers and particularly enhance it as an approach to the park.

A £105k sum for the scheme (estimated cost) is currently allocated within TfL LIP Walking Infrastructure Development Funding. This includes ongoing running costs of the proposed signals for approximately ten years based on anticipated annual costs.  

The Vice-Chairman noted that the crossing would be sited within close proximity of another crossing in the area. This contrasted with other borough locations for a requested crossing where existing crossings are much further apart. However, in this case, the main park entrance is at the end of Thicket Road (close to the junction with Crystal Palace Park) and there is high footfall in summer months. The PV² Value following traffic counts is (at least) twice the recommended value for considering a crossing. The scheme will also link the Park to Penge East Station by cycle and foot.

In highlighting a high use of Elmstead Woods Station, the Vice-Chairman was advised that further traffic counts can be undertaken but in the case of Crystal Palace Park Road/Thicket Road, pedestrian traffic can be almost continuous and there are safety considerations. Another Member highlighted his own use of the Park’s Thicket Road entrance and he welcomed the proposals.

On the PV2 calculation for Crystal Palace Park Road, 18^th September 2019 (Enc 1 appended to Report ES19805), a Member noted an inconsistent figure(s) for count details at 15:00 – 16:00 that day. The Assistant Director, Traffic and Parking  agreed to check the details.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

(1)  approve installation of a Toucan crossing at the junction of Crystal Palace Park Road with Thicket Road, as shown in diagram no13066-02 (Enc 5) appended to Report ES19805;

(2)  authorise an allocation of £105k from the 2019/20 TfL LIP Walking Infrastructure Development programme;and

(3)  delegate any minor changes to the design to the Director of Environment and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.