Issue - meetings

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director Enterprise, Community and Resources, which advised that a petition containing 82 signatures had been received requesting the installation of zebra crossing facilities near Beechwood and Hillview School (the latter also mentioned the new park) and a 20 mph speed limit on Beechwood Avenue.

            It was noted that there were no pelican, puffin or zebra crossings in the area of the schools at the present time. However there were School Crossing Patrols outside Beechwood and Hillview Primary Schools, although the site outside Beechwood Primary School was currently vacant due to the previous patrol leaving and the post would be advertised shortly.

            Members noted that pedestrian vehicle surveys had recently been carried out as part of the annual review of School Crossing Patrols and using data from these surveys the criteria for controlled crossings was not met for the peak periods and therefore they could not be justified. In addition it was noted that where controlled crossings had been installed where they were generally only required for very specific and short times of the day, they could become dangerous as drivers become accustomed to passing along the road without stopping and hence they may either fail to stop when they need to or stop suddenly.  For these reasons the installation of a controlled pedestrian crossing adjacent to the school entrances was not therefore recommended.

            With regard to the request for a 20 mph speed limit on Beechwood Avenue it was noted that in 2015 a proposal to make the whole of Beechwood including a 20 mph zone was advertised. A number of objections were received and following consideration by the Board in June 2015 and subsequently the Executive Board in September 2015, the Traffic Regulation Order was made to make the whole of Beechwood a 20 mph zone excluding Beechwood Avenue. Given the process only took place two years ago it was not the best use of resources to rerun it again as the same outcome was likely.

            RESOLVED: That the petitioners be informed as follows:

·         That pedestrian/traffic surveys have been carried out and zebra crossing facilities are not justified; and

·         That a 20 mph speed limit has been considered previously and not progressed due to objections.