Agenda item

ES20371

The Traffic Engineering Manager and the Assistant Director for Traffic and Parking introduced the report and explained the difficulties experienced by pedestrians in trying to cross the junction by the Chislehurst War Memorial. It was acknowledged that this was not exactly the solution that the public wanted, but it would provide a sensible and safe crossing alternative which was deliverable. The three Chislehurst Ward Councillors attended to support the proposal.

Councillor Alison Stammers explained that this matter was a key issue in the 2022 local council elections and so it was right that this was a matter that the Ward Councillors should support and follow through. She said that crossing by the Memorial was dangerous, especially for the elderly and those with mobility issues. The vicinity around the crossroads was used by approximately 2500 schoolchildren, as well as being a key bus and school interchange. Members heard that there had been numerous previous attempts to deliver solutions at this junction and they had all failed for various reasons. One had failed because it would have involved the moving of a utility service which would have cost in the region of £950k. Another proposal had failed because of a lack of support from affected land owners. It was important to note that this proposal was supported by the Council, TfL and by the landowners. Councillor Stammers said that although the scheme was in a sense sub-optimal, it would nevertheless provide two safe places to cross on two arms of the junction. Pedestrians would now be able to cross Royal Parade safely.

There were four areas of concern that had been raised for consideration by local residents:

a) Local residents had requested the provision of a ‘yellow box’ on the Kemnal Road side of Bromley Lane. This would be reviewed.

b) A lay-by for the bus stop: this was not supported by TfL.

c) A signalised crossing on Centre Common Road: this would be addressed in the future.

d) There was concern regarding the potential loss of 8 parking bays on Royal Parade. This was a particular area of concern for local traders. This would be investigated by officers at the detailed design stage.

Councillor Stammers concluded by saying that the Chislehurst Ward Councillors supported the proposal, and that the funding from TfL would be lost if it was not used. 

Councillor Igoe asked that her name be recorded in the minutes regarding her observations. She said that she had recently spent 45 minutes observing the movements of the children in the vicinity. She also remarked that there were no bus stops marked in the design plans. Councillor Igoe commented that she had noticed that at bus stop ‘P’ (on Centre Common Road, coming from Chislehurst towards Petts Wood) many children got off the bus there and ran diagonally across the junction. She further observed that the bus then turned left and right into a bus pound This was a safer place to get off and cross, rather than get off and cross at bus stop P. She came to the conclusion that the children were getting off and crossing at bus stop P because it was quicker. Councillor Igoe stated that she could see the benefit of a crossing at Royal Parade, but that it was her opinion that the installation of a crossing on Bromley Lane would not change the behaviour of the school children. She expressed concern that when the Bromley Lane crossing was up and running, that this would cause rat running and congestion in The Shaw and Kemnal Road.

The Assistant Director for Traffic and Parking responded to the issues raised concerning possible congestion and ‘rat running’ along The Shore and Kemnal Road, and  said that the details of the design could be fine-tuned later. No bus stops were noted in the original designs because of the tight timescales that officers had been working to. In terms of how the traffic lights worked with pedestrian crossings, they were computer controlled which could be adjusted and optimised to ensure optimised traffic flow. Councillor Igoe sought clarification of when the ‘Green Man’ would come on when the system was seeking to optimise traffic flow. She hoped that this would not be too long as it could cause pedestrians to become frustrated and take unnecessary chances.

A Member commented that it may not be a good use of public money to spend in the region of £200k on a compromise. He asked what success would look like. This was not mentioned in the report. The Traffic Engineering Manager suggested that success could be measured by how many people used the new crossing. A questionnaire could be disseminated to get feedback and the views of the public.

A Member stated that in her mind the scheme could be defined as successful as it was contributing to the road safety of that spot. She asked if TfL could avoid stopping at bus stop P permanently or just at certain times when the schoolchildren would be using the bus. The Assistant Director for Traffic and Parking responded that this could be something that TfL may consider. It was pointed out that the pedestrian crossing issues at this location had been the subject of two petitions and it would not be acceptable for the Council to do nothing. The scheme would help enhance pedestrian safety and in reduce KSIs. 

The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety, reminded the Committee that to achieve what may be considered by most as the optimal solution would be far too expensive as it would involve moving the War Memorial and a BT box with associated cabling. He said that this was a good solution and was in fact the best solution possible.  A balance was required between pedestrian safety and traffic flow. It was possible that TfL would consider installing cameras in that location to identify drivers who breached red lights. He pointed out that if bus stop P was bypassed, then it was a long way down for 162 passengers to the next stop. The Portfolio Holder recommended that the Committee support the proposal and then go out to consultation. It was noted that there would be a post installation analysis of the scheme after six months.

RESOLVED that:

1) The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety be recommended to approve the signalised pedestrian crossings at Bromley Lane and Royal Parade.

2) Any minor changes to the design to be delegated to the Director of Environment and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.