Agenda item

This report provides a response to a suggestion at a meeting of this Committee that consideration be given to the possible introduction of a mini roundabout at the Magpie Hall Road junction with Palmerston Road in Chatham.

Discussion:

The Committee received a comprehensive report responding to a suggestion at the meeting of the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December 2016 that consideration be given to the  possible introduction of a mini-roundabout at the Magpie Hall Road junction with Palmerston Road.

The Acting Integrated Transport Manager outlined the work that had been undertaken by the Highways Design Team on the proposal for a mini roundabout and the outcome of a Stage 1 Road Safety Audit. Such audit was intended to identify potential road safety issues or problems that may affect all users of the highway and to recommend measures to eliminate or mitigate such problems. Whilst some of the issues identified by the Road Safety Audit could likely be resolved through the design process, the proposed mini roundabout layout did not meet the visibility requirements owing to the required sight lines passing over third party land. A mini-roundabout was estimated to cost in the region of £30,000 to construct in order to resolve issues identified by the audit, but costs were likely to exceed this. A number of options were set out within the report.

The Chairman drew attention to additional information circulated prior to the meeting from the three Ward Councillors in Chatham Central Ward, requesting that the Committee consider any other action that could be taken to reduce the speed of traffic in Magpie Hall Road rather than take no action.

The Committee discussed the report and the Acting Integrated Transport Manger agreed to investigate other measures that could be considered to reduce the speed of traffic in this road such as additional signage including Speed Indication Display signs advising drivers of their speed and encouraging them to slow down.

He agreed to provide a written response to all Members of the Committee and Ward Councillors within a few weeks.

In recognition that there were a number of schools in close proximity to Magpie Hall Road, the Committee also suggested that the following initiatives be investigated:

·         Placement of temporary speed cameras along the stretch of road in peak hours.

·         Increasing education in local schools concerning the speed of traffic in Magpie Hall Road

·         Possible provision of vehicle activated flashing signage

·         Provision of a solid stop line at the junction of Palmerston Road

The Acting Integrated Transport Manager agreed to take on board these additional suggestions in his written response to Members.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:

a)            That the Director of Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation continue to monitor the accident levels at the Magpie Hall Road junction with Palmerston Road, and on Magpie Hall Road from its junction with Walderslade Road to the junction with Kitchener Avenue and take action as appropriate to reduce casualties.

b)            That the Acting Integrated Transport Manager provide a written response to Members of the Committee and Ward Councillors in a few weeks setting out any possible action that can be taken to reduce the speed of traffic in Magpie Hall Road and include within such response the outcome of consideration of provision of a stop line at the junction of Palmerston Road with Magpie Hall Road.