Agenda item

Report attached

The report before the committee detailed the outcome of a second consultation on the provision of pedestrian improvements in Harwood Hall Lane, outside the Oakfields Montessori School, Upminster.

The report informed Members that the school was the only school in the borough not served by a footway up to its pedestrian entrance.

Harwood Hall Lane starts at its junction with Corbets Tey Road and runs south west for 630m to Aveley Road. It was subject to a 30mph speed limit and a 7.5 tonne weight restriction along its entire length. The road was also rural in nature. The only substantial footway runs on the north side from the junction with Corbets Tey Road up to the Corbets Tey School for children with complex learning needs, which lies opposite the Montessori School.

The vehicular entrance to the school was 100 metres south west of the entrance to Corbets Tey School. The report explained that for a number of years the school had a strong desire from parents for a dedicated pedestrian access to the school, something which the school had placed in its travel plan and had been campaigning for.

In order to provide a safe pedestrian crossing facility into the school there was a need for the crossing to be segregated from the vehicle entrance. Visibility requirements, Conservation Area restrictions and Tree Preservation Orders prevented a footway been constructed within the school boundary. Hence this proposal maintained the build out from the original plan modified to accommodate the large school buses exiting Corbets Tey School. The build out would provide pedestrians a large enough area to enter and leave the school and wait to cross the road.

The report also stated that the pedestrian facility would be used by both schools when they had a critical incident evacuation, a drill for which they have once a year when one school evacuated to the other.

The build out would act as a traffic calming feature with vehicles leaving Upminster having to give way to oncoming traffic. The existing pinch point would be removed and replaced with a round top hump. An additional lamp column would be provided in advance of this hump. This hump will be mirrored with another hump near the eastern boundary of Corbets Tey School. The humps would maintain calmed traffic outside both schools.

The report further detailed that the 30mph terminal signs located at the mini roundabout would be moved further into Harwood Hall Lane to ensure they were more visible to drivers and that ‘30’ roundels could be provided in addition to the 30mph repeater signs.

CorbetsTey School were concerned about the impact the build out would have on the large Havering coaches exiting their school. The shape of the build out had been revised following the last consultation. Staff were satisfied that there was satisfactory room for the manoeuvre.

Fifteen responses to the consultation were appended to the report.

The ward councillors and parents of Oakfields Montessori School were in favour of the revised scheme. Ward councillors, were in favour of the pedestrian safety improvements stating that the single build out would be less confusing to drivers. They were aware that this was the only option that would provide a safe pedestrian access to the school whilst also calming traffic.

The Police also supported the proposals.

In accordance with the public participation arrangements the Committee was addressed by the schools Business Manager who spoke in support of the scheme. He explained that there was an on-going campaign for traffic calming on Harwood Hall Lane and pedestrian access to the school.

He stated that, lots of parents wanted to be able to walk their children to school, but current conditions were dangerous and prevented them doing so. He detailed that the school had achieved a bronze “Star” award from Transport for London for school travel planning, but without the pedestrian access, they would not be able to achieve more.

A resident speaking against the scheme  stated  that roads are for traffic and obstacles should only be used in extreme circumstances. He considered that the scheme would cause gridlock for traffic. He stated that the traffic calming would be in place throughout the day, not just during school times, disproportionately affecting road users.

During general debate, Members acknowledged the need to ensure pedestrian safety in Harwood Hall Lane but questioned whether this scheme would improve safety.

Members were mindful of traffic speed along Harwood Hall Lane and raised concerns over children congregating on the proposed build out. A member commented that the build out was a recipe for disaster if it was hit by a fast moving vehicle.

A member suggested that the assembly point could be contained within the school grounds, a build ‘in’ rather than build ‘out’. Officers clarified that this would undermine safety as it would lead to a lack of visibility between drivers and pedestrians.

Another Member stated that the ward councillors were happy with the revised scheme and it would also assist other highway users in the area such as the stables and care home.

A Member suggested a site meeting to look at the issues first hand.

A Member suggested that traffic signals could be installed. In reply officers explained that a pelican crossing under the local conditions would require a budget of around £80,000.00. Officers advised that the funding for this scheme was time-limited until March 2014; that   a crossing would not deal with the lack of visibility on the Oakfields School side; and where a crossing was only in use for brief periods during the day, regular drivers would get used to not having to stop for pedestrians.

A motion to recommend rejection of the scheme was proposed by Councillor Kelly and seconded by Councillor Oddy. The motion was carried by 6 votes for to 3 against with 1 abstention.