Questions from the Public for Written Response:
1) When will traffic control measures be looked at for the Park Avenue Parish school entrance. A pedestrian refuge crossing is required. Children cross this busy road to get to school, sometimes on their own. Speeds are very high, 60+ MPH, the pedestrian refuge will slow this down.
I share your concern and following my visit in 2022 we have installed electronic warning signs. We are looking at further measures including pedestrian refuges.
2) There is significant scientific evidence that 20 mile an hour speed limits reduce air pollution. What is being done to instigate more of these in the borough in shopping , residential areas, near schools, and generally introduce more traffic calming measures?
There are a number of 20 MPH zones in town centres and we have advisory signs at the beginning and end of the school day around schools; these are in place for safety reasons. Davis (2018) undertook a literature review of evidence about 20mph speed limits with regards to road safety, active travel, and air pollution impacts. They concluded that the limited literature is consistent with small improvements in air quality, but the methodological strength of research makes the evidence weak. A rapid evidence review undertaken by Atkins, AECOM, and Maher (2018) found similar conclusions to Davis (2018) and noted that exhaust emissions are difficult to quantify due to other associated factors found in 20mph
zones.
3) There is a clear need for safe crossing points outside Parish School on London Lane and
Park Avenue due to the volume of traffic at peak times, with some drivers using excessive
speed. Please can the Council look into commissioning a review of these localities with a
view to installing zebra crossings to make it safer for parents and children walking to school?
The Council has already introduced safety measures at both of these locations and a School
Crossing Patrol operates on London Lane. The Council is discussing such measures with the school. Any zebra crossing will be dependent on a number of factors such as – the volume of traffic and pedestrians crossing at the location, the geographical layout of the road, the parking arrangement etc. As the safety record at the location is excellent, we have to prioritise those locations where there is a serious accident record.
4) Can the London Lane crossing patrol be moved to improve road safety at Parish CofE
Primary? I have witnessed a number of near-accidents, as cars reverse in and out of Banana
Moon nursery car park, onto the crossing. Having the crossing next to such a busy car park
is dangerous.
Following discussion with the school we are looking at whether there is another suitable location for the patrol.
5) The proposed changes to Blue Badge parking requires an Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA), including consultations from Residents Associations, Charities, GP
surgeries, religious groups and other similar organizations, however the EIA carried out
before every P&D machine was removed in the Borough did not seek similar consultations,
why not?
The scope of each EIA is different. The 2022 report in advance of the removal of the remaining Pay and Display machines was undertaken by an independent assessor who was satisfied that the consultation was appropriate.
6) In the spirit of the Council’s partnership with Friends of Parks Groups, would the Portfolio
Holder please share the Town Centre Feasibility Study with the respective Friends Groups of
the five Town Centre Parks included in the study, and that were interviewed by Avison Young
in 2023?
Yes.
7) The latest target date for implementing the Council’s (FRRP) is March 2025. This was
identified as “a priority in the ECS 2024/5 Portfolio Plan” by Councillor Bennett at 13/03/24
ECS PDS. Please provide a link to the FRRP and detail the implementation progress to date.
Officers are working with our consultant to update the Council’s FRRP, which is still due to be completed by 2025. I attended the SE London Flood Risk Management this morning.
