Agenda item

The Assistant Director for Traffic and Parking introduced the report. He explained that officers had been asked to look into road safety in this area, particularly with respect to schools. Officers had consulted with Ward Councillors. No decision was required at this stage. Officers had been asked by Members to look into road safety issues with respect to South Eden Park Road and adjacent areas—mainly with regard to local schools. The schools concerned were Langley Park, Unicorn, St David’s and Oak Lodge.

Officers had undertaken site visits to consult with local residents. On the list of casualty cluster sites in the borough, one of the sites that officers had recently been looking into was on the junction of South Eden Park Road and Links Way. There was no specific casualty problem identified with respect to any particular school. The Assistant Director explained that there was no funding available from TfL for this type of work to be undertaken until at least the 11^th December. This, however, did not mean that the Council could not continue to investigate and prepare plans and costings in the interim.

Councillor Nicholas Bennett attended and addressed the Committee.  He said that his concerns were with respect to Beckenham Road and South Eden Park Road. His main concern was focussed on cars speeding on Beckenham Road. He explained that this was a route taken by the 194 bus—it was a very straight and wide road and drivers were often tempted to speed along it. His concerns were for the local residents and for people trying to cross the road as they were put in danger because of speeding traffic. There was only one crossing point on the road which was a traffic island by St David’s School.

Councillor Bennett made the following suggestions:

·  A 20 mph warning activated sign to be installed by St David’s School. This would operate only during school hours

·  Changes should be made to the current crossing at St David’s Road. It should be changed to either a light controlled crossing or a zebra crossing. His preference was for a zebra crossing that would give priority to pedestrians.

·  The widening of the pavement from 18 Beckenham Road to the junction. This was only 110mm wide and was basically just enough width to get a pram through.

·  There was a concern about vehicles jumping the traffic lights at the junction of Red Lodge Road and Station Road. A camera should be installed to capture the details of any vehicle jumping the traffic lights.

Councillor Christine Harris drew attention to what she regarded as a very dangerous stretch of road that ran from Creswell Drive to 82 South Eden Park Road. She expressed the view that this was a very hazardous stretch of road for pedestrians as it was only the width of a buggy. Councillor Harris had witnessed occasions when young people had stepped out into the road without looking behind them in order to let others pass by. The issues were compounded by the fact that this particular pavement was likely to be used by children from 6 local schools and on the other side of the road no pavement existed to provide an alternative walkway.

A question was raised with respect to School Streets and it was noted that the review results of the trial of temporary school streets would be an item on the agenda  for the November PDS meeting. This would include feedback from the trial of the School Street in Hayes. 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder permit Council officers to undertake feasibility studies and to progress the scheme to an informal consultation and detailed design.