Full Council at its meeting held on 18 October 2016 received a petition from the residents of Netherlands Avenue requesting control measures to reduce the amount of vehicles passing through Netherlands Avenue, deter vehicles abusing the Access Only Order and reduce vehicle speeds and noise levels.

The petition was referred to this committee for consideration at its meeting held on 24 November, where it was resolved:

‘That consideration of the petition be deferred to allow for further

consultation to be undertaken with ward councillors and residents

with a view to looking at all the options and clarification of traffic

survey data’

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “AK”) which sets out a response to the petition, which also includes details of a recent traffic survey.

Recommended –

(1)          That no further action be taken on the request for additional traffic measures such as traffic calming or a closureon Netherlands Avenue.

(2)          That officers investigate the feasibility of installation of pedestrian islands on Netherlands Avenue and discuss findings with ward members.

(3)          That officers continue to seek the prioritisation of enforcement action on Netherlands Avenue through the ward partnership meetings.

(4)          That the lead petitioner be informed accordingly. 

Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Full Council at its meeting held on 18 October 2016 received a petition from the residents of Netherlands Avenue requesting control measures to reduce the amount of vehicles passing through Netherlands Avenue, deter vehicles abusing the Access Only Order and reduce vehicle speeds and noise levels.

The petition was referred to this committee for consideration at its meeting held on 24 November, where it was resolved:

‘That consideration of the petition be deferred to allow for further consultation to be undertaken with ward councillors and residents with a view to looking at all the options and clarification of traffic survey data’.

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AK”) which set out a response to the petition, which also included details of a recent traffic survey.

The Principal Engineer Highways stated that an additional traffic count survey had been undertaken which had revealed no further collisions and although vehicle speeds were slightly down, there had been a corresponding increase in traffic flows.  He added that a meeting had taken place with Ward Councillors and the lead petitioner following the outcome of the survey.

It was explained that given the scale and layout of Netherlands Avenue any traffic management measures would incur considerable costs and given the lack of consensus for traffic calming and closure in the area the pursuit of such measures was not recommended. However, the installation of pedestrian islands in the vicinity of the scout hut would allow for safe crossing,  and may also reduce vehicle speeds

The lead petitioner was present at the meeting and stated the following points:

• That there had been a 10% increase in traffic since the last survey  was done in 2013, which equated to an additional 430 vehicles a day using Netherlands Avenue.

• That the approximately 5,000 vehicles a day only covered the survey period Thursday to Monday and not the full 5 days.

• That in reference to a previous study, 70% of  the traffic was non-residents which equalled 3,500 vehicles a day, however residential traffic was only 30%, which equalled 1,500 vehicles a day.

• That 330 (8%) vehicles up to 21 MPH - 4,670 (92%) Over 21 MPH /  and hence speeding.

• That there were over 900 vehicles using the road during one of the busiest times of the day i.e. 7-9 am.

• That traffic calming had been installed  on Common Road, Abb Scott Lane and St Pauls, but there was no funding for Netherlands Avenue, which was a busy road.

• That large costs had been incurred altering the Huddersfield Road junction of Netherlands Avenue,  despite not addressing the prohibition of motor vehicles access only, which 3,500 vehicles were using.

• We do not want to wait for a serious or fatal accident before the Council took action, we want preventative measures now to protect the safety of Netherlands Avenue residents and the public using Netherlands Ave.

·         That the residents would like confirmation in writing as to the action Bradford Council will take in response to the petition and their on going safety concerns, and the concerns reference the speed and volume of traffic using Netherlands Avenue following the recent traffic survey.

·         That in bringing the petition residents wanted to be proactive and not reactive, and it was not always necessary to implement measures in the light of a serious accident, as there were already precedents set in other areas of the district.

In response the Principal Engineer Highways stressed that he did not dispute the volume of traffic using Netherlands Avenue, however a scheme for traffic calming was not viable as there was no conclusive support, for such measures from residents, but that the possibility of a pedestrian facility was worth investigating.

A Member of the Committee and Ward Councillor for the area stated that the volume of traffic using Netherlands Avenue was not in dispute,  however the access only and 20 mph suggestion were difficult to enforce, however the access only issue should be raised at a Neighbourhood Forum, and suggested that the outcomes of the crossing survey should be reported back to this Area Committee.

Another Ward Councillor and Member of the Area Committee echoed the above sentiments and stressed that a whole host of options had been looked at over the years, with varying degrees of success, hence the suggestion of a pedestrian facility were worth investigating.

A Member suggested that a day of Police action to enforce the access only may reduce the number of persistent offenders.

Resolved -

(1)          That officers investigate the feasibility of installation of pedestrian islands on Netherlands Avenue and discuss the findings with ward members.

(2)          That officers continue to seek the prioritisation of enforcement action on Netherlands Avenue through the ward partnership meetings.

(3)          That officers organise pedestrian surveys on Netherlands Avenue, following consultation  with ward members and the head of the local school, to determine if a pedestrian crossing facility is justified and ,if appropriate, add this location to the list for future consideration from the Safer Roads budget.

(4)          That the lead petitioner be informed accordingly.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

Environment & Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee