Notes of meeting re reduction of traffic speeds on B4077
21st June, 6pm, at Corner Cottage, Stow Road, Alderton
Present: Keith Page, Jonathan Everett, Roger Knapp, Rob Phillips, Jason Keats (Tactical Lead for Traffic Management and Roads Policing), Gary Handley (Driver Training Manager, Gloucestershire County Council), Jenny Wilks (Gloucestershire Highways) Jim H, Tamsin James (Clerk to Alderton Parish Council), Victoria Copas (from 6.45pm)
Apologies: Paul Smith, County Councillor Ron Allen, D Hornibrook
Gary Handley commented that it was a sound plan to get an action group together and work towards the safety of the community and beyond, to deliver a series of actions for road users. He had clearly seen two main things on his arrival at Alderton: manure for sale and that the pub was under new management. It was important to see that people lived in the community and to stop motorists from thinking that their destination was more important than the places they travelled through. Some suggested ideas were:
· Ask residents to produce slogans/images as a flagship for a campaign. Convert this into a message for drivers.
· First impressions are of an overgrown, sprawling community – install planting and a gateway.
· The telephone box was overgrown – needed cutting back to show that people were around – may cut speeds.
A camera had been placed outside 3 Frampton Cottages, facing Stow, for three days. The data was currently being analysed.
The Parish and Highways could work together to install items on the verges through Highways “Big Community Offer”. Cultivation licences needed for planting on verges. All items installed to an agreed spec and maintained by the parish. A good example was on the A417 between Cirencester and Cricklade – a welcome sign and planted area.
To achieve a 40mph speed limit certain criteria had to be met in a document produced by the Department for Transport. This outlined the criteria which had to be abided by. A 40mph on this part of the B4077 was thought to be unlikely and the group were encouraged to put efforts into other possible achievements.
It was suggested that parallel streams of activity take place to pursue all ideas.
It was noted that a 50mph limit had originally been promised along the B4077 but the criteria had been revised in 2006.
SDRs could be used to measure mean speeds along the road but needed to measure peaks when there was less traffic. Would also measure peak speeds, which could enable police to target times effectively. Dibden Lane could cause a drop in average speeds.
Jenny Wilks agreed to provide information on the TRO process and committee consultation. The life quality of residents was borne in mind throughout the process and Jenny Wilks would also provide information on this.
Double white lines only went half way down the road outside Frampton Cottages, The criteria for white lines and complicated circumstances eg junctions was questioned. The remaining section of the B4077 was to be re-surfaced in approximately a year’s time so there was an option to review white lining then. Jenny Wilks stated that there was no barrier of expense for additional white lining, as it would already be taking place with the re-surfacing.
It was suggested that speeding lorries should be identified and the company written to. Highways had used this approach in the past and it had proved helpful and successful.
The question was raised as to why the B4077 was included on the approved lorry route when there were no destinations on this road, apart from Toddington Trading Estate and hauliers could use the A46. Jenny Wilks agreed to raise the point with colleagues but was not sure when the approved lorry routes were reviewed. Roads that were not suitable for lorries could be reported via the Tom Tom website as it took on personal comments. Could also warn of dangerous roads.
“Don’t always trust your sat nav” signs had been used elsewhere and had proved effective in the short term. Signs could be moved around but should not stay in one place for more than six months. The verges could not be littered with signs. Highways approved signs in agreed locations.
It was noted that the brow of the Hill, before Frampton Cottages, was a blind spot and residents had difficulty exiting their driveways. Ideas put forward were:
· Install pavement up to Dibden Lane – barrier of expense though.
· Extend white lining for whole length of cottages – could be incorporated into re-surfacing works next year.
· “Slow Down” signs – can look at options but suggest not permanent placement. (Look at Parish Charter website - Chalford have purchased a sign). http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/charteredparishesmeetings
· ). Need to agree locations and rotate around.
· Speed SID – device available via Jason Keats
· Any speed limit needs to be realistic.
· Is there any notice at the caravan site to inform them of the area – suggest a process you wish them to use on arrival and exit.
· Six radar guns available. Police training provided on use, along with yellow jackets and signs.
· Gateways – use plastic ones as don’t have to paint them. Two sets of gates may be needed for the whole stretch. Available through Highways scheme “Your Way”. The funding commitment was 50% Highways and 50% from the parish. Need a cultivation licence for planting and there was an on-line application form for the gates – Highways need to approve both. Applications best done through the Parish Council as easier to transfer funds.
· Write to haulage companies
· Speeding vehicles - take car registrations and pass details on to police who can then write to motorists. This system successfully used at Rodborough where the letters were sent from the parish. (Culprits often included local residents).
· “Welcome to Alderton” signs
· Extend pavement, up to footpath to Alderton, with a rural footpath. Questions raised over expense and the fact that it was adjacent to a ditch. Highways would have to inspect ditch capacity.
· Sign outside garage not in the right place.
· Slippery road signs not consistent in quoted distances. Jenny Wilks to investigate.
It was agreed that Frampton Cottages residents review the speed criteria document – available on the Dept for Transport website, circular no. 1 of 2006 “Setting your local speed limits”.
Items to be done in the short term were installation of gates and use of the speed gun. Interim measures included white lining and pavements. Longer term was the reduction of speed limits.
In order to raise awareness the following suggestions were made:
· Research the “Safer” website
· Use the press in a positive way
· Twitter and Facebook
The timescale for the accident figures quoted at the beginning of the meeting on 6th June were January 2008 up to December 2011. The B4077 didn’t feature in the top 100 of junctions and stretch of road categories. Figures were weighted on a points system and were injury only accidents reported to the police. No other stats could be added to the figures and shock was included as an injury. The Road Safety Partnership recorded other accidents. At present there was a scheme to record NHS figures but this was only happening in Gloucestershire.
Where there were incidents of overtaking on white lines a photograph was acceptable evidence for the police to write to the drivers concerned.
It was possible for the CCTV to be in place for an extended period and Jenny Wilks agreed to obtain costs for this.
Funding for the various options was discussed. Jenny Wilks outlined “Community Match” which made match funding available for capital projects and was ring fenced for community projects. Some funding would also be available from the Parish Council.
Speed cameras could only be installed if certain government criteria were met. They were expensive and the police were not looking to install any in the current climate. Also the B4077 was not in the top 100 of dangerous roads.
Community speed check signs could be left in place for a limited time.
Vehicle activated signs were now quite common and lost their effectiveness. They had more impact if were moved around. The moveable type cost around £2000 + VAT and were available through 50/50 funding.
It was agreed that residents would meet within two weeks in order to formulate some ideas. A further meeting to include Highways, the Police and the Road Safety Partnership would take place at a later date.
21st June, 6pm, at Corner Cottage, Stow Road, Alderton
Present: Keith Page, Jonathan Everett, Roger Knapp, Rob Phillips, Jason Keats (Tactical Lead for Traffic Management and Roads Policing), Gary Handley (Driver Training Manager, Gloucestershire County Council), Jenny Wilks (Gloucestershire Highways) Jim H, Tamsin James (Clerk to Alderton Parish Council), Victoria Copas (from 6.45pm)
Apologies: Paul Smith, County Councillor Ron Allen, D Hornibrook
Gary Handley commented that it was a sound plan to get an action group together and work towards the safety of the community and beyond, to deliver a series of actions for road users. He had clearly seen two main things on his arrival at Alderton: manure for sale and that the pub was under new management. It was important to see that people lived in the community and to stop motorists from thinking that their destination was more important than the places they travelled through. Some suggested ideas were:
· Ask residents to produce slogans/images as a flagship for a campaign. Convert this into a message for drivers.
· First impressions are of an overgrown, sprawling community – install planting and a gateway.
· The telephone box was overgrown – needed cutting back to show that people were around – may cut speeds.
A camera had been placed outside 3 Frampton Cottages, facing Stow, for three days. The data was currently being analysed.
The Parish and Highways could work together to install items on the verges through Highways “Big Community Offer”. Cultivation licences needed for planting on verges. All items installed to an agreed spec and maintained by the parish. A good example was on the A417 between Cirencester and Cricklade – a welcome sign and planted area.
To achieve a 40mph speed limit certain criteria had to be met in a document produced by the Department for Transport. This outlined the criteria which had to be abided by. A 40mph on this part of the B4077 was thought to be unlikely and the group were encouraged to put efforts into other possible achievements.
It was suggested that parallel streams of activity take place to pursue all ideas.
It was noted that a 50mph limit had originally been promised along the B4077 but the criteria had been revised in 2006.
SDRs could be used to measure mean speeds along the road but needed to measure peaks when there was less traffic. Would also measure peak speeds, which could enable police to target times effectively. Dibden Lane could cause a drop in average speeds.
Jenny Wilks agreed to provide information on the TRO process and committee consultation. The life quality of residents was borne in mind throughout the process and Jenny Wilks would also provide information on this.
Double white lines only went half way down the road outside Frampton Cottages, The criteria for white lines and complicated circumstances eg junctions was questioned. The remaining section of the B4077 was to be re-surfaced in approximately a year’s time so there was an option to review white lining then. Jenny Wilks stated that there was no barrier of expense for additional white lining, as it would already be taking place with the re-surfacing.
It was suggested that speeding lorries should be identified and the company written to. Highways had used this approach in the past and it had proved helpful and successful.
The question was raised as to why the B4077 was included on the approved lorry route when there were no destinations on this road, apart from Toddington Trading Estate and hauliers could use the A46. Jenny Wilks agreed to raise the point with colleagues but was not sure when the approved lorry routes were reviewed. Roads that were not suitable for lorries could be reported via the Tom Tom website as it took on personal comments. Could also warn of dangerous roads.
“Don’t always trust your sat nav” signs had been used elsewhere and had proved effective in the short term. Signs could be moved around but should not stay in one place for more than six months. The verges could not be littered with signs. Highways approved signs in agreed locations.
It was noted that the brow of the Hill, before Frampton Cottages, was a blind spot and residents had difficulty exiting their driveways. Ideas put forward were:
· Install pavement up to Dibden Lane – barrier of expense though.
· Extend white lining for whole length of cottages – could be incorporated into re-surfacing works next year.
· “Slow Down” signs – can look at options but suggest not permanent placement. (Look at Parish Charter website - Chalford have purchased a sign). http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/charteredparishesmeetings
· ). Need to agree locations and rotate around.
· Speed SID – device available via Jason Keats
· Any speed limit needs to be realistic.
· Is there any notice at the caravan site to inform them of the area – suggest a process you wish them to use on arrival and exit.
· Six radar guns available. Police training provided on use, along with yellow jackets and signs.
· Gateways – use plastic ones as don’t have to paint them. Two sets of gates may be needed for the whole stretch. Available through Highways scheme “Your Way”. The funding commitment was 50% Highways and 50% from the parish. Need a cultivation licence for planting and there was an on-line application form for the gates – Highways need to approve both. Applications best done through the Parish Council as easier to transfer funds.
· Write to haulage companies
· Speeding vehicles - take car registrations and pass details on to police who can then write to motorists. This system successfully used at Rodborough where the letters were sent from the parish. (Culprits often included local residents).
· “Welcome to Alderton” signs
· Extend pavement, up to footpath to Alderton, with a rural footpath. Questions raised over expense and the fact that it was adjacent to a ditch. Highways would have to inspect ditch capacity.
· Sign outside garage not in the right place.
· Slippery road signs not consistent in quoted distances. Jenny Wilks to investigate.
It was agreed that Frampton Cottages residents review the speed criteria document – available on the Dept for Transport website, circular no. 1 of 2006 “Setting your local speed limits”.
Items to be done in the short term were installation of gates and use of the speed gun. Interim measures included white lining and pavements. Longer term was the reduction of speed limits.
In order to raise awareness the following suggestions were made:
· Research the “Safer” website
· Use the press in a positive way
· Twitter and Facebook
The timescale for the accident figures quoted at the beginning of the meeting on 6th June were January 2008 up to December 2011. The B4077 didn’t feature in the top 100 of junctions and stretch of road categories. Figures were weighted on a points system and were injury only accidents reported to the police. No other stats could be added to the figures and shock was included as an injury. The Road Safety Partnership recorded other accidents. At present there was a scheme to record NHS figures but this was only happening in Gloucestershire.
Where there were incidents of overtaking on white lines a photograph was acceptable evidence for the police to write to the drivers concerned.
It was possible for the CCTV to be in place for an extended period and Jenny Wilks agreed to obtain costs for this.
Funding for the various options was discussed. Jenny Wilks outlined “Community Match” which made match funding available for capital projects and was ring fenced for community projects. Some funding would also be available from the Parish Council.
Speed cameras could only be installed if certain government criteria were met. They were expensive and the police were not looking to install any in the current climate. Also the B4077 was not in the top 100 of dangerous roads.
Community speed check signs could be left in place for a limited time.
Vehicle activated signs were now quite common and lost their effectiveness. They had more impact if were moved around. The moveable type cost around £2000 + VAT and were available through 50/50 funding.
It was agreed that residents would meet within two weeks in order to formulate some ideas. A further meeting to include Highways, the Police and the Road Safety Partnership would take place at a later date.
