Previous Reference: Minute 9 (2018/19)

The Strategic Director, Place will present a report (Document “O”) which gives the Committee an update on a petition requesting the closure of Westfield Lane, Bradford which was originally considered on 5 July 2018.

At that time, the Committee requested that a weekend traffic survey be undertaken and an update report be provided. Accordingly, Document “O” reminds Members of the original traffic surveys undertaken and provides details of further surveys which were carried out over five days in November 2018.

Recommended –

(1)  That no further action be taken on the request for additional traffic management measures on Westfield Lane.

(2)  That the lead petitioner be informed accordingly.

(Regeneration & Environment Overview  &Scrutiny Committee)

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

Previous Reference: Minute 9 (2018/19)

Resolved –

(1)  That no further action be taken on the request for additional traffic management measures on Westfield Lane.

(2)  That the lead petitioner be informed accordingly.

(Regeneration & Environment Overview  &Scrutiny Committee)

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

Previous Reference: Minute 9 (2018/19)

The Strategic Director, Place presented a report (Document “O”) which gave the Committee an update on a petition requesting the closure of Westfield Lane, Bradford which had originally been considered on 5 July 2018.

At that time, the Committee had requested that a weekend traffic survey be undertaken and an update report be provided. Accordingly, Document “O” reminded Members of the original traffic surveys undertaken and provided details of further surveys which were carried out over five days in November 2018.

A local resident attended the meeting and expressed some concern about the outcome of the surveys, noting that 15% of road users were still travelling at over 30mph and advising members that, although only one accident was reported, there had been at least four incidents of collisions resulting in trauma for those involved and for local people who witnessed the incidents or aided those involved. He also advised that his property had been damaged by a vehicle;  that he had incurred expense as a result and that his neighbour had been similarly affected. He considered that local feeling was that a fatality would have to occur before any action was taken.

In response, the Principal Engineer, Traffic and Road Safety highlighted the information within the report which showed that average speeds were well within the limit and that the proportion of drivers exceeding the speed limit was very low. Officers concentrated their efforts on collisions where the Police were in attendance as their remit was to reduce casualties and injuries to persons rather than property. He confirmed that there was no question of waiting for a fatality, rather that the reduction of collisions was the imperative. He also advised that there was extant traffic calming on Westfield Lane which had been in place for some time and which was having an effect as speeds were so low and only one collision which met the criteria had occurred.

Members then questioned the Principal Engineer in respect of the report, asking:-

·         For how long each day was data collected ?

·         What was the process for converting the lane to a 20mph zone ?

·         Was it reasonable to expect drivers to drive at 20mph without a speed limit being imposed ?

·         What would be the cost of traffic calming and what was the budget for the entire year ?

·         Had traffic calming measures ever been installed where there had been no incidence of casualties ?

·         If a scheme was prepared for this lane would it have to be considered by two Area Committees as it ran through two constituencies ?

·         Were there any schools on Westfield Lane ? 

·         Would it be possible to prepare a group order for more than one road and would that affect the cost of the order ?

In response, the Principal Engineer advised that three surveys had been undertaken, each one for a period of several days and in each case, the monitoring equipment ran for 24 hours per day  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34