Agenda item

Proposed Reduction to Speed Limits on Sections of B3349 Barkham Road, Bearwood Road and Sheerlands Road to Support Access and Walked Routes to the New Bohunt School, Arborfield

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the making of the Wokingham Borough Council (Various Roads, Wokingham Borough) (30, 40, 50 mph speed limits) Order 2016 be approved and the Director for Environment be instructed to inform those persons who objected accordingly.

The three routes where the speed limits are proposed to be reduced to 30mph are as follows:

· B3349 Barkham Roadreducing the existing 40mph speed limit to 30mph for its entirety

· Bearwood Road reducing the existing 40mph speed limit to 30mph from the junction of Barkham Road to a point 100 metres north of The Lilacs

· Sheerlands Road reducing the existing 60mph speed limit to 30mph from the existing 30mph limit to a point 10 metres south of Bridleway 18.

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report relating to a proposed reduction in speed limits on all or sections of the following roads: B3349 Barkham Road, Bearwood Road and Sheerlands Road in order to support access improvements and walked routes to the new Bohunt School, Arborfield.

The Executive Member for Highways and Transport advised the meeting that following an existing access assessment and speed survey review it was recommended that the new Bohunt School, which was due to open on 5 September 2016, would benefit from the reduction of speed limits on three sections of the road network in proximity of the new school where children may choose to walk beside.

Councillor Richards advised that the proposed speed reduction Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) had been published and consulted upon in accordance with regulations, including consultation with statutory consultees i.e. police, local parish councils and ward Members and local residents. 43 consultation responses were received and analysed and found to show clear support for the speed reduction, including support and approval for the reductions from the police; who were the enforcement agency for speeding matters. It was noted that Arborfield and Newland Parish Council’s response had been received shortly after the consultation period and that too showed a clear support for the speed reductions.

Councillor Richards also clarified that the usual decision making process for TROs was through an Individual Executive Member Decision but because of objections to the proposals by Ward Members the Constitution states that the decision must be made by the Executive.

Members were also advised that in addition to the proposed speed reductions the Council had investigated reducing the speed limits on sections of the A327 Eversley Road and Langley Common Road. Unfortunately these two sections did not meet the national review criteria that would allow the speed limits to be reduced and the Police had advised that they would not be supportive of such reductions. It was noted that discussions were ongoing about these two sections of road,

Following a query about how many of the 150 children starting the new school were likely to walk. Councillor Richards stated that it was anticipated that around 30 children would walk although this would not be known until the school opened.

Councillor Jorgensen commented that regardless of how many children were likely to walk they would be more likely to do so if parents viewed the traffic as reasonably slow and the route as reasonably safe. Councillor Jorgensen was therefore keen that the width of the footpath be reviewed as she felt it was very narrow. Councillor Richards assured Members that in order to widen the footpath vegetation, including bushes and trees, had been cut back along its length and some of the bollards were planned to be removed. Members wanted to ensure that the vegetation would be cut back on a regular basis.

Councillor Ross asked for consideration to be given to placing a white line near to the verge of the relevant roads as had been seen in other areas it gave the impression of making the road narrower, slowed the traffic down, and kept drivers from driving right up to the kerb.