Agenda item

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy, which informed Members of a petition relating to traffic conditions in Falkirk Avenue, Upton Rocks, Widnes. The petition was received by the Council in March 2010 and was signed by 47 residents, representing the majority of properties in Falkirk Avenue. The petition requested that the Council build a new road to divert traffic away from Falkirk Avenue as the volume of traffic using the road had not reduced as expected since the opening of the new Queensbury Way link to Cronton Road. A letter detailing residents’ concerns, which included a summary table of traffic flow figures gathered by the Council during the last three years, was included with the petition.

 

          The letter accompanying the petition asked that:-

 

1)       as a minimum, the promised weight restrictions should be implemented and clearly signposted at both entrances to Falkirk Avenue;

 

2)       the speed limit should be effectively enforced; and

 

3)       in the medium term, an alternative and quicker route from Birchfield Road to Queensbury Way should be constructed, to ensure that residents of Falkirk Avenue could use Falkirk Avenue with confidence and in safety.

 

          Members were advised that several traffic surveys had been carried out in relation to traffic usage at Falkirk Avenue. An analysis of road traffic accidents data had also been undertaken. There were no personal injury accidents recorded in three years from 2007 to 2009. In summary, according to the collected traffic survey data, Falkirk Avenue currently carried less traffic than it was originally designed for and traffic flows had been reduced by approximately 10% since the opening of Queensbury Way. Only a small proportion of traffic appeared to be using the route as a through route from Upton Bridle Path to Queensbury Way and less than 3% of the traffic was HGVs. The records showed that there were no injury accidents, and traffic speeds were within acceptable limits. Therefore, there was little evidence to justify significant intervention.

 

          Notwithstanding the above, a number of potential courses of action, which may reduce the impact of traffic using Falkirk Avenue, had been investigated and were outlined in the report together with officers comments on each option. The options were as follows:-

 

Option 1 – New road connecting 90 degree bends adjacent to House Nos. 3 and 23 Falkirk Avenue;

 

Option 2 – New road connecting the western end of Westerhope Way to Lanark Gardens;

 

Option 3 – New road connecting western end of Westerhope Road to Galway Avenue through development site H3 (via Tickford Bank/Biddlestone Cross);

 

Option 4 – Introduce a weight restriction order covering the Birchfield Ward;

 

Option 5 – Closure of Falkirk Avenue to through traffic.

 

It was noted that the following public question was submitted to the Board:

         

(a)  The report relies on traffic survey data from 2009 despite traffic speed counters being in place since March 2010. Why haven’t the most up to date figures been used in the report and can the findings of these surveys be made available to residents,

(b)  The reliance of speed counters to estimate the average vehicle speed as the counter is immediately adjacent to a speed hump and vehicles have already slowed down at this point to cross the hump. Is it not possible that the counter could be moved (to near another lighting column) where more realistic speeds can be measured. While historically the speeds may have been measured from these points undoubtedly the finds are flawed and rather than relying on unrealistic data why not just start afresh?,

(c)  Can more evidence be provided of the ‘snapshot’ number-plate survey undertaken in an afternoon in March that suggests that over 95% of the traffic had a destination of business in that area. I would dispute this figure and suggest the percentage level of through traffic was far higher. How long did the survey last, was it taken during the school run (when figures would be distorted),where all points of entry to the estate from Birchfield Road surveyed. This is the type of information that should be provided if the report suggests that less than 5% of traffic volumes is through traffic,

(d)  Whist the report suggests that traffic levels through Falkirk Avenue are less than they were originally designed for there is no analysis of how the proposed local centre and school could affect these figures as quite clearly these development would set traffic levels above acceptable levels.

 

In summary it is my opinion that the report is distorted and gives an inaccurate reflection of the actual situation.

 

          In response the Board was advised that:

 

-                  the Counter installed in March 2010 to monitor vehicles was found to be faulty therefore the most recent data was used for the report, however, the traffic situation would continue to be monitored;

-                  the Counters had been placed at locations chosen to ensure consistency, consultation with residents would take place concerning the location of the Counters;

-                  the March survey took place between 12.30 – 1 pm, results of the survey could be provided to residents;

-                  the local centre and school have been approved by Development Control Committee;

-                  a full detailed reply to the above questions would be provided to Mr McEvoy.

 

          RESOLVED: That

 

          1) Members consider the contents of the petition;

 

          2) traffic conditions in Falkirk Avenue continue to be monitored;

 

          3) the feasibility of constructing new roads connecting from the boundaries of planned development sites (Upton Rocks H3 and Proposed Local Centre) to Westerhope Way continue to be explored; and

 

          4) the petitioners be informed of the Board’s decision.