Traffic Safety Progress

As a result of concerns about the safety of traffic in the village expressed at a recent Parish Council meeting a group consisting of Parish Councillors, Borough Councillors and village residents has been formed and met to consider what actions we can take to improve safety on our roads in the village.  The aim is to produce a plan with a strategy for actions that will be adopted by the Parish Council and lead to residents feeling more safe as they move around the village.

The Parish Council approved a Traffic Safety Plan in September 2012 with the objective of dealing with such issues mainly in the area of the school.  After reviewing progress on this plan the new group hopes to have revised proposals to put to the village for consultation.

You can read the 2012 plan here but in brief the vision was:

The Parish Council has a vision for the future travel environment in the village where walking and cycling become the preferred modes of travel, that traffic levels and parking do not dominate our village and that the safety of adult and child pedestrians remains paramount.

The strategy for achieving the Aims and Objectives of this plan included:

• Restricting parking.
• Providing alternatives for parents.
• Slowing traffic.
• Improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Reinforcing the school travel plan.

Update on Measures Proposed

Measure		Progress
1.	A “Build Out” in New Church Road from the footpath to Mumford Close.	Not achieved due to objections from local residents but timed yellow line restriction from pathway instead.
2.	“Built up Tables” at each end of New Church Road and School Lane.	Not achieved due to objections but red patches painted in road.
3.	Yellow zig-zag lines outside school to be extended as far as bend.	Timed yellow line restriction added instead.
4.	Improved signage on approaches to school.	Achieved.
5.	New footpath along the edge of Poors Land.	Achieved.
6.	Car Parks at Orpen Hall, Treble Tile and Church to be made more available for use by parents.	Orpen Hall park improved and journey to school made safer at crossing with New Church Road.  Use of Treble Tile agreed and operated for a time but then withdrawn due to misuse by parents.
7.	20 MPH limit in New Church Road.	Achieved with enhanced signage to follow.
8.	Designated space for disabled parking on Lexden Road.	Not achieved.
9.	A “Park and Walk” scheme organised by parents.	No known progress.
10.	Parents who drive to school to be encouraged to operate a voluntary one way system in School Lane.	No known progress.
11.	The school to review its Travel Plan.	Discussions between the school and Parish Council are ongoing.