A report seeking approval from the Sub-Committee for officers to carry out statutory consultation and notice processes necessary to progress a scheme of speed reduction (20 mph) and traffic calming on Northcourt Avenue and Wellington Avenue.

The Sub-Committee received a report that sought approval for officers to carry out statutory consultation and notice processes necessary to progress a scheme of speed reduction (20 mph) and traffic calming on Northcourt Avenue and Wellington Avenue.  A plan of the recommended scheme, that had been developed following investigations by officers and meetings with Ward Councillors and representatives from the Northcourt Avenue Residents Association (NARA), was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that a total of £200k had been allocated to deliver the Northcourt Avenue speed reduction scheme.  Speed survey data and officer investigation had informed initial concept scheme designs and there had been some useful and constructive meetings that had been held with officers, Ward Councillors and representatives of NARA.  Through these discussions a scheme had been agreed for proceeding to statutory consultation that included the proposed introduction of a 20 mph zone on Northcourt Avenue and Wellington Avenue.  This zone would be made compliant, and reduce traffic speeds, via the installation of full-width spend humps of a ‘sinusoidal’ influenced design that was intended to lesson initial impact.  This design had been recently used on Boston Avenue and Shaw Road for new humps that had been added and was intended to be more cycle friendly and a less noise generating design. 

The report stated that it was the intention that the raised features at either end of Northcourt Avenue would be of a flat-top/table design to create informal/uncontrolled at grade pedestrian crossings.  Due to space constraints between driveway access and other features, there had been limitations on the placement of further features of this design within the scheme area.  However, officers were intending to additionally implement flat-top/table features around the junction with Wellington Avenue, on the following priority, subject to feasibility and available funding:

(a)        Northcourt Avenue, southern side of the junction;

(b)        Wellington Avenue, neat to the junction with Northcourt Avenue;

(c)        Northcourt Avenue, northern side of the junction.

Regulatory road signing would be implemented, including the ‘gateway’ (entrance/exit) signs and smaller repeater signs along the street.  It had been initially requested that painted ‘20’ roundels were not installed along the roads, so these would be used only for the zone entrance.

Resolved –

(1)        That the report be noted;

(2)        That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to undertake the statutory consultation and notification processes for the proposed speed reduction scheme, described in Section 3.2 and set out in Appendix 1, attached to the report, in accordance with the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) regulations 1996;

(3)        That the Highways and Traffic Services Manager (or delegated officer), in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport and Ward Councillors, be authorised to make minor alterations to the agreed proposals;

(4)        That subject to no objections being received, the scheme be implemented and the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to seal the resultant Traffic Regulation Order;

(5)        That should the scheme receive objection(s) during the statutory consultation period, that these be submitted to a future meeting for consideration and a decision regarding scheme implementation;

(6)        That no public inquiry be held into the proposals.