The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “A”) considers a petition received following the consultation on the traffic calming proposals for Duchy Avenue, Heaton.

Recommended –

(1)       That the proposal to introduce Thermoplastic road humps on Duchy Avenue be abandoned.

(2)       That the residents of Duchy Avenue and the surrounding area be consulted on the request for a road closure to prohibit through traffic on Duchy Avenue.

(3)       That the results of the consultation exercise be reported to this committee in September 2017.

(4)       That the request for a one-way system on Duchy Avenue be noted and no further action be taken.

(5)       That the lead petitioner be notified accordingly.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Andrew Smith 01274 434674)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “A”) considers a petition received following the consultation on the traffic calming proposals for Duchy Avenue, Heaton.

The Senior Engineer gave a synopsis of the report.

A Member reminded the Committee that a petition had initially been received in 2013 and during that time the majority of residents were not in favour of the proposal the had been put forward. Equally so, residents on Hazelhurst Brow, Bradford and neighbouring streets expressed their dissatisfaction towards the petition as it was felt that the result of implementing the proposal as set out in the petition would have a knock on detrimental impact on their streets with a significant traffic movements in and around the Daisy Hill area.

The Member further confirmed that he being a Councillor for the Toller Ward could not agree, in his role as a Member of the Committee, in other Ward traffic issues being diverted to his Ward.

A question and answer session ensued:

·         As opposed to the 49 signature petition objecting to the proposed calming measures, how may residents had favoured the proposed traffic calming measures?

o   No letters of support were received during the initial consultation phase;

·         Where had the 49 objections come from?

o   Duchy Avenue; and,

·         Had public services been liaised with?

o   Emergency services had been consulted.

During the discussion, the Committee and the Senior Engineer made the following comments:

·         A consultation had been undertaken previously and the majority of the residents were not in favour of traffic calming measures, hence the Committee refrained from approving closure during 2013;

·         Ward Councillors of Toller and Heaton had to be included during the consultation stage;

o   In response to comment, Why would neighbouring Ward Councillors need to be consulted? Due to the knock on effect of traffic moving to Wheatlands Drive and Lynton Drive (being in Toller Ward) because the implementation of traffic calming measures on Duchy Avenue would be the sole reason behind the transfer of a problem in the Heaton Ward to the Toller Ward.

The lead petitioner was in attendance and with the permission of the Chair, highlighted the following reasons for the traffic calming. During the first petition in 2012, 68 residents had signed the petition in the favour of traffic calming measures. The Principal Engineers had recommended closure in their report. 5 residents on Duchy Drive had expressed objections to the proposed traffic calming. 20mph with speed bumps was eventually proposed but the residents on Duchy Avenue were not happy with such traffic calming measures as the initial petition was not about addressing the issue of speeding cars but the number of cars using Duchy Avenue as a short cut for getting to and from work or parents undertaking school runs.

Resolved –

(1)       That the proposal to introduce Thermoplastic road humps on Duchy Avenue be abandoned.

(2)       That the extents of the consultation exercise be agreed with Ward Members of Heaton and Toller wards before residents of Duchy Avenue and the surrounding area be consulted on the request for a road closure to prohibit through traffic on Duchy Avenue.

(3)       That the results of the consultation exercise be reported to this committee in September 2017.

(4)       That the request for a one-way system on Duchy Avenue be noted and no further action be taken.

(5)       That the lead petitioner be notified accordingly.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Environment and Waste Management

ACTION:        Strategic Director – Place