The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “G”) provides an update on changes to the apportionment of the Safer Roads Budget (recently approved by the Executive) and seeks approval for a programme of schemes in the Keighley area for 2018/19.

Recommended –

1)    That the changes to the apportionment of the Safer Roads Budget (approved by the Executive on 12 June 2018) be noted.

2)    That the programme of Casualty Reduction schemes for 2018/19 listed in Appendices 1 and 2 of Document “G” be approved.

3)    That the proposed programme of Traffic Management schemes for 2018/19 listed in Appendix 3 of Document “G” be approved.

4)    That the progress of Traffic Regulation Order schemes for 2017/18 listed in Appendix 4 to Document “G” be noted.

5)    That the proposed programme of Traffic Regulation Order schemes for 2018/19 listed in Appendix 5 be approved.

6)    That any Traffic Regulation Orders, or any legal procedures linked to the processing of traffic calming measures or pedestrian crossing facilities, which are necessary to implement the chosen schemes be approved for processing and advertising subject to the scheme details being agreed with the local Ward Members.

7)    That any valid objections to the advertised Traffic Regulation Orders, traffic calming or pedestrian facilities be submitted to this Committee for consideration or in the event of there being no valid objections the Traffic Regulation Orders be sealed and implemented and the traffic calming or pedestrian facilities be implemented as advertised.

(Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Simon D’Vali - -1274 431000)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “G”) provided an update on changes to the apportionment of the Safer Roads Budget (recently approved by the Executive) and sought approval for a programme of schemes in the Keighley area for 2018/19.

Document “G” reminded Members of the West Yorkshire Transport Strategy 2040 approved in August 2017. In conjunction with the Strategic Economic Plan, the overarching aim of the strategy was  “…for Leeds City Region to be a globally recognised economy where good growth delivers high levels of prosperity, jobs and quality of life for everyone.”

In term of Safer Roads themes, the strategy included a specific aim to reduce road accidents, aspiring to ‘zero tolerance’ of transport-related deaths. There were also aspirations to encourage walking and cycling by improving safety.

Historically there were specific budgets for the promotion of Casualty Reduction schemes and more general Traffic Management Measures. Following a significant reduction in the level of funding, that funding was combined into a single funding stream. Executive devolved the budget to the Area Committees on the basis of population split in October 2012, with a provision that 70% of the budget had to be allocated to Casualty Reduction schemes, the residual funding being available for projects prioritised by members.

Members were reminded of revisions to the Safer Roads budget allocation and scheme governance systems approved by Executive on 12 June 2018 which:-

·         Established a top-slice of the Safer Roads budget to enable the promotion of strategic or district-wide projects, with the approval to promote such projects and consideration of any resulting objections being an Executive Member function.

·         Maintained the existing allocation for project development

·         Allowed residual funding to be distributed to the Area Committees for them to continue promoting Casualty Reduction schemes as a priority. Each Area Committee would retain an indicative sum of £50,000 (per area) for general traffic management measures, with that figure being flexible when all viable Casualty Reduction projects had been prioritised.

It was questioned whether the intention to use ‘top sliced’ funding for 20mph zones was limited to school areas and it was explained that it depended on the schools location.  Schemes could be considered for term time or school drop off/collection times only.

Members provided a number of views on those proposals including that 20mph zones could increase accidents with motorists overtaking and that a blanket 20mph restriction would prevent traffic being diverted away from school areas.  

The rationale for the Keighley Traffic Management schemes recommended for approval (appendix 3 to Document “G”) was provided and included a police recommendation for speed reductions at Bolton Road, Addingham, due to the number of severe incidents; a number of incidents of speeding and injuries occurring in the Normington Street location and issues due to the narrowness of the street around St Andrews School. 

A Member questioned why a Traffic Regulation Order for “No Waiting At Any Time”, requested by residents, had been abandoned on Laycock Lane.  It was explained that the decision had been made by the Committee at a previous meeting.  The issue was contentious as buses had experienced difficulty turning at that location.  The Strategic Director explained that he could raise those issues once again with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Members were advised of a request for reductions to the Traffic Regulation Order for no waiting at any time at the Bolling Road/Manley Road junction in Ilkley which had been omitted from the report in error. 

Resolved –

1)    That the changes to the apportionment of the Safer Roads Budget (approved by the Executive on 12 June 2018) be noted.

2)    That the programme of Casualty Reduction schemes for 2018/19 listed in Appendices 1 and 2 of Document “G” be approved.

3)    That the proposed programme of Traffic Management schemes for 2018/19 listed in Appendix 3 of Document “G” be approved.

4)    That the progress of Traffic Regulation Order schemes for 2017/18 listed in Appendix 4 to Document “G” be noted.

5)    That, with the addition of a Traffic Regulation Order for no waiting at any time at the Bolling Road/Manley Road, junction in Ilkley, the proposed programme of Traffic Regulation Order schemes for 2018/19 listed in Appendix 5 be approved.

6)    That any Traffic Regulation Orders, or any legal procedures linked to the processing of traffic calming measures or pedestrian crossing facilities, which are necessary to implement the chosen schemes be approved for processing and advertising subject to the scheme details being agreed with the local Ward Members.

7)    That any valid objections to the advertised Traffic Regulation Orders, traffic calming or pedestrian facilities be submitted to this Committee for consideration or in the event of there being no valid objections the Traffic Regulation Orders be sealed and implemented and the traffic calming or pedestrian facilities be implemented as advertised.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Regeneration & Environment

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place