Issue - meetings

8.40 pm

The Committee received a report from the Director of Environment.

 

The report provided details on the outcome of the public consultation recently carried out as part of the Cambridge 20mph Project. This separate consultation had been carried out following the significant number of requests that had been received as part of the main North phase public consultation.

 

The Committee were asked to note the consultation outcomes and to make their recommendation to the Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change on whether to continue to the next stage of the implementation process. The Executive Councillor would then consider whether to approve the Committee’s recommendation at a meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Committee on 8 July 2014.

 

The Project Delivery & Environment Manager explained if the Executive Councillor decided to progress the proposal to the next stage, authority from Cambridgeshire County Council would be required, before the legal statutory traffic order process could commence.

 

This approval would not only include authority to commence the statutory process, but County Council’s Highways and Community Infrastructure would decide whether to approve a departure from the existing speed limit policy that currently precludes 20mph limits on A and B roads across the County.

 

Initial County Council Officer feedback indicated implementing a 20mph limit for Victoria Road would not be recommended for approval, based on the lack of a clear majority in support of the proposal, particularly as it involved a departure from policy, as well as the existence of a strong objection from Stagecoach who could take the matter to a public enquiry.

 

The Committee were then presented with the speed survey results and the consultation outcomes.

 

Members of the public then made the following comments:

 

Kay Harris: Why is there a need to reduce the speed limit when the survey shows an average speed of 25mph or under? Reducing the speed limit down to 20mph would exacerbate the traffic on Histon Road creating a build-up of traffic. The main problem with speeding vehicles is late at night. During the day the volume of traffic on the road ensures that vehicles cannot speed.  More consideration is needed to this proposal.

 

Timothy Sykes: In principal I would support the proposal.  Although I have concern that drivers would use the side roads connected to Victoria Road as rat–runs. I would like to see some kind of enforcement such as cameras on these roads.

 

Timothy Skyes: Would like to remind the Committee that there are proposed new developments in the surrounding areas which could potentially increase the volume of traffic on Victoria Road. 

         

Philip Driver: How would 20mph be enforced?  As a resident living on Victoria Road, I have witnessed and experienced, large trucks speeding past my house, at various hours in the night and early morning. 

 

Philip Driver: How was the average speed of the vehicles measured and has the possibility of Victoria Road becoming a one way road been investigated?

 

The Project Delivery & Environment Manager explained that the average speed was measured at particular points on Victoria Road for all passing vehicles. If Victoria Road was made one way this would offer the potential to considerably speed up the flow of traffic. The road would also have to be narrowed at substantial cost.

 

The Committee were advised that there was emerging evidence that 20mph speed limits reduce congestion, with vehicles travelling at lower speeds making access from side roads onto the main route easier.

 

The Committee made the following comments:

 

Councillor Ward recommended residents to take the names of those truck companies who were breaking the speed limit and pass the details on to the City Council. Council Officers would be prepared to speak to the companies concerned which could help elevate the issue.

 

Councillor Ward then reminded the Committee that they had considered potential traffic calming measures on Victoria and Chesterton Road as part of the Environment Improvement Programme but could not reach an agreement on what should be installed.

 

Finally Councillor Ward informed the Committee that he had received two e-mails from residents who could not be present at the meeting but wished to express their support for the 20mph proposal.

 

Councillor O’ Reilly also stated that she had received many e-mails from local residents supporting the 20mph proposal and reminded those present that the side roads off Victoria Road were already 20mph.

 

Councillor O’Reilly specified there was a lack of enforcement for those vehicles that broke the speed limit particularly in the early hours of the morning. Trucks seemed to use Histon Road and Victoria as an alternative to the A14 and due to the structure of houses, caused the house to shake. There was also a real issue of weight enforcement for vehicles which needed to be addressed. 

 

Although Victoria Road may be deemed a main strategic route it was a narrow vulnerable residential road with two primary schools and sheltered housing. There were only two pedestrian crossings located at inconvenient sections of the road. The pavements were narrow which caused problems on bin day, forcing pedestrians out on the road particularly during the school runs.

 

Councillor Manning prompted those present that the proposal was about protecting local residents and should not be about protecting Stage Coach’s profits.  

 

Councillor Todd Jones informed the Committee that the sub structure of the road was linked to the foundations of the houses on Victoria Road particularly in the narrowest section. Therefore speeding heavy trucks did put a strain on the properties and supported the argument for the reduction in the speed limit.

 

Councillor Boyce queried why Victoria Road had an A road status. The City had managed without the use of Victoria Road when it had shut for six months due to the collapse of a sewer and therefore queried if it was a vital part of the City’s road network.

 

Councillor Ward highlighted that satellite navigation systems recognised Victoria Road as a perfectly reasonable A road which was part of the problem when drivers were looking to divert from the A14.

 

Councillor Ward then stated as part of the City’s Council’s transport review policy the A road status of Victoria Road would be evaluated. Also as part of the City Council’s Local Plan there was also the possible re-modelling of Mitcham’s Corner which could benefit from a 20mph speed restriction on Victoria Road.  Councillor Ward concluded that there was no reason not to make Victoria Road 20mph. 

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (unanimously) to

       i.          Note the consultation outcomes.

     ii.          To recommend to the Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change to continue to the next stage of the implementation process.

 

 

The meeting ended at 9.45 pm