PURPOSE

1. To approve the Isle of Wight Council (High Street and Church Road, Shanklin, IW) (20 mph Speed Limit) Order No1 2003.

BACKGROUND

2. An Order to extend the existing 20 mph speed limit in High Street and Church Road, Shanklin was advertised during March 2003 and the following representations have been received.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

3. The recommended Order will contribute to the delivery of targets under Theme 1 of the Community Strategy (Guaranteeing the quality of life and sustainability) and particularly targets 1.24, to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents by 40% by the year 2010 and 1.41, to cut the number of short car journeys.

CONSULTATION

4. Consultation has been undertaken in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, and the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England & Wales) Regulations 1996.

Copies of representations received during the statutory consultation period are attached to this report.

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

5. 666The costs associated with the introduction of the proposed Order have been identified, and are to be covered from the existing highways revenue budget.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

6. The relevant powers are contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1994, as amended. The procedure for introducing Traffic Regulation Orders is set out in the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England & Wales) Regulations 1996.

In so far as the imposition of restrictions on road use represent restrictions of the human rights of individuals under Article 8 and Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, those restrictions are proportionate to the legitimate objective of enhancing the ability of other road users to safely exercise their rights to pass and re-pass along the highway.

The recommended Traffic Regulation Orders are, in part, designed to increase road safety by reducing both the incidents of traffic crime and consequences to other road users of traffic crime. The recommendations are made with regard to the duty to reduce incidents of crime and disorder contained within s17 Crime and disorder Act 1998. However consideration needs to be given to some of the objections raised by residents. Vehicle speed is likely to increase when on-street parking is removed and where appropriate, traffic calming measures may address this. Consideration should also be given to the impact on surrounding roads, as displacement of parking is likely. If natural surveillance or street lighting is not to the same standard this may result in a higher level of vehicle crime, or a reduction of vehicle crime if natural surveillance and or street lighting is improved.

SUMMARY

7. To revoke the provisions of “The Isle of Wight Council (High Street, Shanklin, IW ) (20mph Speed Limit) Order No 2002 and to re-enact the provisions contained therein and to introduce a 20mph speed limit in the following length of road:

Church Road, Shanklin – 20 mph Speed Limit

From its junction with Rectory Road to a point 12 metres northeast of its junction with Priory Road.

Three letters of representation have been received, One from Shanklin Town Council who support the proposed restriction as advertised, and one from a resident of the area who supports the proposal, but feels that the proposed restriction should start from the junction of Priory Road and that 20mph roundels should be placed on the carriageway at regular intervals along the route. The third letter is from a resident of Church Road who feels that the proposed restriction will have no impact on reducing vehicle speeds in the area.

EVALUATION / RISK MANAGEMENT

During January 2002 consultants, TMS, undertook a study of the personal injury accidents in the area, between the junction of North Road/Hope Road and Church Road/Priory Road.

As a result it was recommended that a 20 mph restriction be place throughout the “Old Village” area of the town in an attempt to reduce both vehicle speeds and the number of personal injury accidents.

The proposed extension of the speed limit has been advertised as a result of a number of engineering difficulties that have highlighted during the introduction of the existing limit.

The proposed, revised, position of restriction will improve the conspicuously of the speed limit signs and, in conjunction a limited extension to the existing footway will create an improved crossing facility for pedestrians at the junction with Priory Road.

RECOMMENDATION

That the proposed restriction is implemented as advertised.