Agenda item

The report before the Committee detailed responses to a consultation for the addition of an X-crossing pedestrian stage at the signalised A124 Upminster Road/ Hacton Lane/ Wingletye Lane junction.

The report informed the Committee that following a wideconsultation, 59 responses were received. 1 response was received from a Councillor, 23 responses were in full support of the scheme, 10 responses were in partial support for the scheme and 25 responses objected to the proposals. All comments received were summarised in the appendix to the report.

It was noted that the network performance team at Transport for London (TFL) had some concerns with the X-crossing arrangements, specifically the pedestrian crossing and the associated clearance time with the diagonal crossings. The performance team also had concern with the bus travel times through the junction but however noted the current lack of pedestrian crossing assistance at the junction.

The Committee noted from the report that TfL estimated that the introduction of a third stage for pedestrians could increase traffic delay by approximately 20%, however given that the site was within the wider SCOOT network, TFL would be able to mitigate the operation with a thorough timing review and fine-tuning the SCOOT operation.

Officers were of the view that the objectives of the scheme and the needs of pedestrians, the issues raised through the public consultation process and the advice of Transport for London, that a third pedestrian stage be implemented as shown on diagram  QQ025-DC-FS-GA-100-REV1 of the report.

During the debate, a Member commended officers for developing the scheme. The member stated that there was a sheltered residence on Hacton Lane and residents found it very difficult to cross the road at the junction. The Member did raise a concern over car users diverting to adjacent streets to avoid the junction.

In response the Committee was informed that if the scheme was agreed, officers would monitor adjacent areas to determine if there was any traffic reassignment and propose mitigation should it be considered necessary.

In response to a Member enquiry, officers stated that the pedestrian function of the light system would operate on a demand basis with a push-button.

A Member sought clarification if the light at the 6^th Form College had a push button crossing and questioned whether it needed. The Committee was informed that a push-button crossing existed at the crossing.

Following the debate, the Committee RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Regulatory Services and Community Safety that the addition of a pedestrian crossing stage (with green man crossings on all arms) be added at the existing A124 Upminster Road/ Hacton Lane/ Wingletye Lane signalised junction as shown on drawing QQ025-DC-FS-GA-100-REV1 to be implemented.

That it be noted that the implication of Recommendation 1 is that the diagonal X-crossing elements of the scheme are abandoned.

Members noted that the estimated cost of £0.115m for implementation would be met by Transport for London through the 2017/18 (£0.090m) and 2018/19 (0.025m) Local Implementation Plan allocations for the A124/Hacton Lane/Wingletye Lane Junction.