Agenda item

The report before the Committee detailed responses to the feasibility of an accident reduction programme along Wingletye Lane, the report stated that it was one of the schemes approved by Transport for London for funding.

The following safety improvements were proposed along Wingletye Lane to reduce vehicle speeds and minimise accidents:

·         Wingletye Lane between Upminster Road and Minster Way

(Outside Havering Sixth Form College) (Plan No:QQ006-1)

-       Humped pelican crossing

-       Humped pedestrian refuge

·         Wingletye Lane  north of Lee Gardens Avenue (Plan No:QQ006-2)

-       Humped pelican crossing

·         Wingletye Lane south of Parkstone Avenue / Wych Elm Road

(Near Emerson Park Academy) (Plan No:QQ006-3)

-       Zebra crossing

-       Humped zebra crossing

·       Wingletye Lane / Sylvan Avenue Junction (Plan No:QQ006-4)

-       Mini Roundabout

·       Wingletye Lane south of Campion School Entrance

 (Plan No:QQ006-5)

-       Humped zebra crossing

The Committee was informed that following objections from residents, the proposal to install a mini-roundabout at Sylvan Avenue had been removed as part of the scheme.

With its agreement Councillor Roger Ramsey addressed the Committee.

Councillor Ramsey stated that he was generally in favour of the scheme and recognised that there had been an increase in parking problems in recent years arising from the concentration of schools in the area.

Councillor Ramsey set out a number of issues raised by residents for officers to address:

• concerns about the impact that the construction works would have on the street especially with the works at Ardleigh Green junction of the A127. Councillor Ramsey sought assurance that the works could be managed to keep disruption to a minimum;
• concerns that the proposed zebra crossing by Campion School was to be positioned  too close to the A127, Councillor Ramsey sought assurance that the proposed location for the crossing was safe;
• concerns over a link between road humps and pollution after recent comments made by Michael Gove MP.

In response, the Principal Engineer informed the Committee that:

·         the Council’s highways works contract had sufficient flexibility for controls to be placed on the times of day and days of week for works, including evenings for surfacing, enabling the works to be managed to limit disruption it was suggested thatOfficers could fully brief Ward Councillors in advance of the scheme progressing;Officers were content with the position of the crossing by Campion School; as it would replace an existing refuge with the intention to have the crossing moved slightly north to better serve the pedestrian desire line;

·         the air quality issue raised by Central Government related to a specific section of the Government’s Air Quality Action Plan on nitrogen dioxide in locations requiring Clean Air Zones. Havering is not within a Clean Air Zone so this is not an issue for the scheme.  

During the debate, a Member asked whether the speed tables would affect Emergency Services vehicles and Buses and whether consideration had been given to the installation of split humps.  The Member also queried the concerns raised by the Metropolitan  Police.

In response Officers confirmed that the speed cushions would be constructed in accordance with TFL’s guidance for traffic calming on bus routes which would be compatible with emergency vehicles. Officers confirmed that the scheme was designed to encourage drivers to stay within the 30mph speed limit which is incompatible with vehicles being driven at high speed.       

Officers informed the Committee that the scheme was targeted towards areas where there had been known casualties.

The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Regulatory Services and Community Safety that the following  safety improvements detailed below and shown on the relevant drawings be implemented as follows:

(a)  Wingletye Lane between Upminster Road and Minster Way

    (Outside Havering Sixth Form College) (Plan No:QQ006-1)

-       Humped pelican crossing

-       Humped zebra crossing as shown

(b)  Wingletye Lane north of Lee Gardens Avenue (Plan No:QQ006-2)

-       Humped pelican crossing as shown.

(c)  Wingletye Lane / Parkstone Avenue / Wych Elm Road Junction  

    (Near Emerson Park Academy) (Plan No:QQ006-3)

-       Zebra crossing as shown

-       Humped zebra crossing as shown

(d)  Wingletye Lane south of Campion School Entrance

    (Plan No. QQ006-5)

-       Humped zebra crossing as shown

The Committee recommended that the mini roundabout proposal at the Wingletye Lane / Sylvan Avenue Junction as shown on Plan No. QQ006-4 be omitted from the original proposals.

Members noted that the estimated costs of £85,000 would be met from the Transport for London’s (TfL) 2017/18 Local Implementation Plan allocation for Accident Reduction Programme.

The vote for the proposal was 10 in favour to one abstention.