Report To: Joint Transportation Board
Date: 21st October 2009
Report Title: Ware Street Crossing – Thurnham
Report Author: Ben Hilden
Summary:
As previously reported to this Board, as of part the Integrated Transport programme for Kent, Kent Highway Services (KHS) approved a scheme to install a zebra crossing on Ware Steet fronting the Edelin Road development. Following a recent public consultation this report recommends to Members the scheme be progressed to implementation.
Decision: Yes
Affected Wards: Bearsted and Detling and Thurnham
Recommendations: Subject to the views of this Board it is proposed that the scheme consulted on proceed to implementation.
Financial Implications:
Funding has been secured for this scheme as part of the Integrated Transport Programmed for Kent for 2009/10 as previously reported to this Board.
Purpose of the Report
1. Members are asked to support the installation of the Ware Street Zebra crossing following the results of public consultation.
Background
2. At the April 2008 meeting of this Board notification of a petition supporting the installation of a pedestrian crossing in Ware Street, between Avereches Road and Edelin Road was reported. Following a subsequent request from the local Member together with Parish Councils for the need of a formal crossing point fronting the Edelin Road development KHS secured funding for a Zebra crossing as part of the Integrated Transport Programme for Kent 2009/10.
Consultation
3. A public consultation was undertaken in July 2009 in the form of a letter drop to residents in immediate vicinity of the crossing, local Councillors, Parish Councils and statutory bodies including the Police. The consultation requested views on the proposed installation of a Zebra Crossing along Ware Street in the vicinity of No.96 as shown on the attached plan.
4. An objection was received from the resident of No.96 Ware Street. The objection is on the grounds that the location of the crossing is unsafe and the resident would suffer a loss of amenity and an invasion of privacy due to the installation of the street lighting and associated street furniture directly outside the residents’ property. Copies of the full reasons for the objection are attached.
5. A phone call was received from The Bell Public House at Thurnham also objecting to the proposals due to the invasion of privacy to adjoining properties however, they did not confirm their views in writing. One other local resident responded and was in full support of the scheme.
Views of Local Members and Parish Councils
6. Local members and the associated Parish Councils were consulted and are in support of the scheme and its proposals.
Views of Kent Police
7. The views of Kent Police will be reported on the night.
Discussion
8. The scheme has been subject to an independent Safety Assessment carried out by Jacobs’s traffic and safety consultants. They did not raise any concerns over the location of the crossing in respect of the issues raised by the objector. As part of standard procedures the scheme will also undergo further Safety Assessments just prior to construction and once construction is complete and if any issues are raised the scheme will be amended accordingly.
9. KHS have considered alternative locations as suggested by the objector however it is felt that these locations would be too far away from the desire line for pedestrians. Experience shows that if crossings are not located in the immediate vicinity of the desire line then they will not be used regular by all pedestrians.
10. It is unfortunately inevitable that there are unavoidable environment effects to residents when installing street furniture such as lighting and crossings in residential areas. KHS will do as much as possible to mitigate the effects of the lighting by installing shielding were possible however, this will not remove all of the potential intrusion. If Members support the installation of the crossing KHS will discuss with the objector other potential ways of reducing the effect of the crossing but Members must bear in mind when making their decision it will be impossible to eradicate all the effects.
Conclusion
11. In conclusion KHS do not feel the location of the crossing is unsafe and that benefit to the overall community of the crossing outweighs the negative effects the crossing will have on the objector. However, KHS will take reasonable steps to mitigate these effects.
12. Not withstanding the objection received Members are asked to support the installation of the Ware Street Zebra crossing.
Contact: Ben Hilden – Transportation and Development Control Engineer
Email: ben.hilden@kent.gov.uk