Agenda item

Response to a Petition Requesting Reinstatement of Traffic Island on Berkeley Avenue

A report in response to a petition, submitted to the Council on 21 January 2020, requesting the reinstatement of a traffic island on Berkeley Avenue between Ashley Road and Bath Road that was removed as part of the NCN Phase 2 scheme.

Minutes:

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the receipt and response to a petition requesting the reinstatement of a traffic island on Berkeley Avenue between Ashley Road and Bath Road that had been removed as part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) Phase 2 scheme.

The report explained that the petition, which had contained 93 signatures, had been submitted to the Council on 21 January 2020 and read as follows:

To comply with the making of two on road cyclingways wider (bearing in mind we already had a combined cyclingway on the west side of Berkeley Avenue), Reading Borough Council have removed the Traffic Island – Crossing Point between Bath Road and Ashley Road. We think this is a dangerous step as many people including those living in Coley Park area used this crossing point. Especially those who are older, children and push chairs, no consultation took place!”

The petition was in relation to Phase 2 of the NCN scheme, proposals had included the reallocation of road space along Berkeley Avenue to facilitate the upgrade of the existing 1.2m wide advisory cycle lane to a mandatory 1.5m wide cycle lane.  This had been achieved by removing the traffic island between Bath Road and Ashley Road, which was the focus of the petition, and associated hatched road markings.  The traffic island did not meet standards for a safe pedestrian crossing, including its unsuitability for those with mobility aids or pushchairs, due to the lack of dropped kerbs and the steep grass verge on approach to the carriageway from the northern footway.  Prior to removal of the traffic island consideration had been given to the availability and location of alternative crossing facilities, which had included a formal pedestrian crossing facility approximately 115m to the west. 

The report had recommended that the traffic island on Berkeley Avenue, between Bath Road and Ashley Road was not reinstated due to it not being designed as a pedestrian crossing point, lack of other crossing features, such as dropped kerbs, and the availability of alternative safe pedestrian crossing points in close proximity to the location.  There had also been concerns that its reinstatement would compromise the cycle infrastructure works that had been delivered.  However, in light of the comments made by the petitioners, it was agreed that consideration should be given to reinstating some form of pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of the former traffic island and a meeting would be arranged with local residents to discuss possible options.

At the invitation of the Chair the petition organisers, Terry Dixon and Gordon Baum, addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the petitioners and they presented an updated version of the petition, which had now received 204 signatories.

Resolved –

(1)         That the report be noted;

(2)         That a meeting be arranged between Transport Officers and local residents to discuss the options for the reinstatement of a pedestrian crossing on Berkeley Avenue in the vicinity of the former traffic islandwhich had been situated between Bath Road and Ashley Road;

(3)     That the lead petitioners be informed accordingly.

 

Supporting documents: