Kings Road, Herne Bay: Proposed Crash Remedial Measure

Transcription

1 Kings Road, Herne Bay: Proposed Crash Remedial Measure To: Canterbury Joint Transportation Board 17 February 2015 By: Classification: Ward: Tim Read - Head of Transportation Unrestricted Herne Bay Summary: This report details proposals and consultation feedback for a crash remedial measure (CRM) involving the provision of two sets of kerb build outs and associated parking restrictions. For Decision 1.0 Introduction and Background 1.1 Kent County Council (KCC) has identified a poor personal injury crash record on the stretch of Kings Road between Richmond Street and Park Road. This was identified through our annual casualty reduction programme. 1.2 Ensuring our roads are as safe as they can be is a key priority and statutory duty for the County Council as we work to keep the Kent economy moving and support healthy living. In 2013, 594 people were Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) on Kent roads (excluding Medway). Whilst the long term trend in our county is down - between 2000 and 2010, the number of KSI on Kent roads fell by 50%, the figures for 2014 (currently subject to validation) appear to be increasing. It is vital that death and injury on Kent roads continues to be tackled as effectively as possible by all agencies involved. KCC are to deliver a further 33% less KSI by 2020 as well as a 40% reduction in child KSI. 1.3 In the three year investigation period there were a total of 6 crashes resulting in personal injury, four of which involved pedestrians. Of the crashes involving pedestrians two were categorised as slight and two serious. Three involved pedestrians crossing from between parked vehicles and one stood on the pavement at the junction with Richmond Street. Following the initial desk top study and a site visit with Kent Police, it was concluded that improved pedestrian facilities are required at this location to assist safer pedestrian movements. This stretch of road is fronted by a child s play park, large open green, residential properties, car parks, a doctor s surgery and pharmacy. 2.0 Scheme Proposals 2.1 As illustrated in drawing number in Appendix A, this proposal includes: Two pedestrian crossing points with kerb build outs on Kings Road, between its junctions with Richmond Street and Park Road. A bollard on the eastern footway at the junction of Kings Road with Richmond Street to prevent large vehicles mounting the footway. Install double yellow lines on Kings Road opposite the junction with Richmond Street, two car lengths to allow for HGVs turning left out of Richmond Street. Install double yellow lines around kerb build outs.

2 2.2 Different types of pedestrian facilities have been considered for this location, including a single zebra crossing option and a pedestrian refuge option. It was concluded that the build outs offered the best solution when balancing local parking pressures and no single preferred crossing point given the extent of the open frontage of the park and green area. 2.3 The kerb build outs will improve the visibility of vehicles to pedestrians and of pedestrians to motorists, assisting safer pedestrian movements across this stretch of road. 2.4 The parking restrictions (double yellow lines) are being proposed to ensure the road does not become obstructed by drivers parking adjacent to the build outs and to enable large vehicles to turn out of Richmond Street without mounting the footway. 3.0 Consultation 3.1 In October 2014 Canterbury City Council advertised and consulted on the intent to introduce new parking restrictions on Kings Road in relation to the proposed CRM scheme. An extension to the existing double yellow lines from Park Road to the first proposed new build out was included as well as those proposed for opposite Richmond Street and around the build outs. 3.2 A summary of the responses received can be seen in Table 1 below. Comments were received from thirteen people and refer to both the proposals for new parking restrictions and proposed new build outs. Six raised formal objections. Table 1 Respondent Kent Police Sir Roger Gale MP County Councillor Nick Bond County Councillor Brian MacDowall Councillor A Cook Councillor D Hirst Comments No objections. Asks that all necessary criteria are met. Objects to proposals. Kings Road is narrow and congested. Considers a zebra crossing would be a more sensible option. Concerned for the loss of parking in an area of high parking demand. Request to consider pedestrian refuge island between park and pharmacy. Concerned for the loss of parking where pressures already exist. Informed of the proposed development of the Kings Road car park and the additional parking pressures this will add to the area. Suggests a barrier e.g. hedgerow along the border of the memorial park & consideration of a pedestrian refuge island between the park and pharmacy. Concern about the flow of traffic and narrowing of the road. Objects to the proposals. Having reviewed the circumstances of the accidents he considers that the works would not alleviate the possibility of similar accidents occurring. Also

3 Stagecoach Local Business Mr Rynne Canterbury City Council considers in times of financial stress in our budgets a good reason must be found to contemplate this type of expenditure. No objections. This is not a bus route. Concern that due to existing traffic calming further along Kings Road and additional measures will add to driver frustration and not improve road safety. States the road is quite busy and more parking is required not less. Opinion that kerb build outs will not make it any safer and suggests are more formal crossing is required. Traffic volumes and speeds are high. Concern about the loss of parking in an area with high parking pressures already. Objects to the proposals. Understands the safety issue but considers two pairs of build outs in such close proximity pointless. Concern over the lack of parking already and the additional pressures this will bring. Considers maybe one crossing or speed monitors would be better. Objects to the proposals due to the existing parking pressures at this location which again will be further exasperated by the development of the Kings Road car park. This scheme will make the situation even worse. Objects to the proposals. Doesn t think this is the best place for a crossing. Concern about narrowing the road and loss of parking. Considers a pedestrian refuge island between the car park and play park would be a better option. Supports the proposals and requests further measures (beyond the scope of this project). 4.0 Analysis 4.1 Following the comments received, it is important to consider the concerns that have been raised. 4.2 The build outs will not narrow the available road width for through traffic as they are the same width as the parking bays. As such no impact to traffic flow is envisaged. 4.3 A zebra crossing would result in a greater loss of parking. 4.4 A pedestrian island would require drop kerbs on both sides of the carriageway which would still result in the loss of parking spaces. The desired minimum width of a pedestrian island is 1.8m and operationally it is recommended a minimum of 3.5m are

4 required for each running lane for traffic. This option would result in narrower road widths and further loss of parking. 4.5 Installing pedestrian barriers or hedgerow will not assist safer pedestrian movements across the road. Crossing the road from between parked cars does not give the pedestrian adequate visibility of approaching vehicles, particularly given the alignment of the road and vice versa. 4.6 Regarding the proposed new development on the Kings Road car park, the developer will be required to provide off street parking for patrons to mitigate the likely impacts on parking locally. The new store is likely to result in an increase in pedestrian crossing movements. The proposed build outs will assist safer pedestrian movements for all. 4.7 An Auto-track model shows that an articulated vehicle would not be able to turn left out of Richmond Street into Kings Road, without over running the footpath, resulting in future maintenance issues as well as a hazard to pedestrians on the footway. Providing a wider turning circle by removing on street parking opposite the junction will mitigate this issue. See Appendix B. 5.0 Review 5.1 To reduce the impact of the scheme on parking it is now proposed to not implement double yellow lines between Park Road and the first build out. 6.0 Finance 6.1 There is a budget of 10,000 available for this scheme from the Casualty Reduction Programme to enable build in the 2015/16 financial year. 7.0 Conclusion 7.1 This scheme has been put forward to address a poor crash history resulting in personal injury at this location. Of the six crashes identified here, four involved pedestrians. 7.2 The concerns regarding the loss of parking have been taken into consideration and the extent of the proposed parking restrictions has been reduced. 8.0 Recommendation(s) 8.1 The board are recommended to approve the proposed (and modified) double yellow lines associated with this CRM scheme and to approve drawing no for construction. Future Meeting if applicable: Contact Officer: Kelly Garrett, Traffic Engineer ( ) Reporting to: Tim Read, Head of Transportation ( )

5 Appendix List Appendix A Drawing number Appendix B Auto track of HGV turning movement from Richmond Street into Kings Road Background Papers Title Details of where to access copy

6 Appendix A Scheme proposals (Drawing Number )

7 Appendix B Auto track of HGV turning movement from Richmond Street into Kings Road