Date: 24 OCTOBER 2002
Title: OBJECTIONS TO ADVERTISED TRAFFIC ORDERS
REPORT OF
THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
1. THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL (HIGH STREET, SHANKLIN IW) ( 20 SPEED LIMIT) ORDER No 1 2002
SUMMARY
An Order to introduce a 20 mph speed limit on High Street, Shanklin was advertised in September 2002 and the following representations have been received.
Four letters and one petition have been received regarding the matter, all of which are in support of the proposals. However the following further comments have been made:
· The proposed limit should be extended to the junction of Priory Road
· The proposed limit should be extended to cover the frontage of the holiday apartments occupying the old Upper Chine school site.
· The proposed limit should be extended to a point halfway between the junction of Rectory Road and Priory Road.
· The proposed restriction should be extended to the junction of High Street and Victoria Avenue.
· The signing of the proposed restriction should be undertaken in a sympathetic manner to avoid an over proliferation of signs or carriageway markings.
EVALUATION
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.
In summary it was identified that there were two main areas where the accidents were concentrated. These were:
High Street between Regent Street and Victoria Avenue - where 25 accidents (52% of the total) occurred. Thirteen of the 25 accidents involved pedestrians.
The double bend on the High Street; 100m length south of Chine Avenue – where 13 accidents (27% of the total) occurred. Nine of the thirteen accidents occurred on a wet road surface. Eight of the accidents involved head on collisions.
The recommended remedial action included the introduction of anti-skid surfacing and an advisory speed limit of 20mph.
As a result a specialist contractor has since installed the required surfacing and a study of vehicle speeds has been undertaken. Further analysis of the data has confirmed that the mean speed of traffic in the centre of the series of bends is less than 20mph and as such meets the requirements of current legislation regarding the qualification for a 20mph speed limit.
The extent of the proposed limit has been determined to reflect the area affected by the pattern of personal injury accidents and the nature characteristics of the site. To extend the limit further is likely to dilute to the potential benefits of the proposed restriction and result in additional enforcement difficulties.
As a result of the concerns expressed by the Town Council the signing and lining associated with the introduction of the proposed order will reflect the minimum requirements of the Traffic Signs Regulations And General Directions 1994.
The potential impact of the
proposed restrictions have been analysed in detail and are not felt to have any
negative impact on the provisions of section 17 of the Crime & Disorder Act
1998.
POLICE
COMMENTS
Hampshire
Constabulary has written in support of the proposed restriction.
That the
Order is implemented as advertised
BACKGROUND PAPERS
Four letters of representation and
one petition, copies of which is attached.
Contact Point: Peter Taylor,
Principal Engineer (Traffic & Transportation)
M J A
FISHER
Strategic
Director
Corporate
and Environment Services