The report of the Strategic Director (Place) (Document “L”) considers a petition requesting that the Council funds and installs a zebra crossing facility and widens a section of footway in Main Street, Menston, outside  Menston Primary School.

Recommended -

(1)          That the petitioners’ request for a formal pedestrian crossing and widening of a section of footway in Main Street adjacent to Menston Primary school remains on the list of scheme candidates to be considered by this Committee when it next agrees its Safer Roads Programme.

(2)          That the lead petitioner be informed accordingly.

(Simon D’Vali - 01274 431000)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “L”) considered a petition requesting that the Council funds and installs a zebra crossing facility and widens a section of footway in Main Street, Menston, outside  Menston Primary School.

The Senior Engineer started the discussion of this item by giving a synopsis of the report to the Committee.

Following introduction, the Chair invited the lead petitioner to come forward and make representations to the Committee. He made the following points –

·         There were many families that attended Menston Primary School on a daily basis;

·         That the school was situated just off a busy main junction and families with young children were having to cross this junction;

·         That the junction also entailed a very narrow footway which did not have enough space for a pushchair;

·         The support for the proposal was not only from the school but equally, other pedestrians who used this junction on a daily basis; and,

·         The risk of an injury resulting from an accident is potentially great and hence outweighs the financial and resources aspects involved in the implementation of the proposal.

The Chair commented on the fact that when financial resources were limited then it was paramount that value for money schemes were drawn up. It was transparent that the school and the local community was very supportive of the proposal for the sole reasons being the safety of pedestrians.

Two Wharfedale Ward Councillors were in attendance as observers and invited by the Chair to make representations to the Committee, as follows –

·         Councillor 1 - She wished to take this opportunity in thanking the Committee for taking the time in considering this worthwhile proposal which potentially would prevent accidents and injuries to pedestrians and motorists; and,

·         Councillor 2 – He wished to stress the need to always work with parties that certain issues would affect and on this occasion, working alongside the school, families of children attending the school and the Parish Council and to move forward with what suited the school and children attending the school best.

The Chair pointed out from the report that Menston Primary School and Menston Parish Council have indicated that they may be prepared to contribute financial resources and therefore –

Resolved –

(1)       That the petitioners’ request for a formal pedestrian crossing and         widening of a section of footway in Main Street adjacent to   Menston Primary School remains on the list of scheme candidates   to be considered by this Committee for possible inclusion within          its future Safer Roads Programme.

(2)       That highways officers approach Menston Parish Council to      determine what, if any, financial contribution can be made by the      Parish Council towards the cost of a zebra crossing and/or            footway widening works on Main  Street, Menston within the      vicinity of Menston Primary School.

(3)       Where a financial contribution is offered by Menston Parish        Council, that the  financial sum constitute a legal and binding       contract on the part of the Parish Council.

(4)       That highway officers investigate the possibility of funding being         made available for the provision of a zebra crossing and/or    footway widening on Main Street, Menston, in the form of existing         or potential Section 106 agreements, and/or available Community         Infra-structure Levy (CIL) monies.

(5)       That the lead petitioner be informed accordingly.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place