Meeting documents

Properties Visited

31

Either Humps or Table Top

10

Prefer Table Top

8

Prefer Humps

1

Do not want either

2

Not at Home

10

Background Paper

Date

File Ref.

Nil

First Respondent: Resident, Ashley Brake

Every vehicle will speed up when they leave each speed cushion which will increase noise and air pollution and affect pedestrians in West Hill Road.

Page 5 of Traffic Advisory Leaflet (TAL) 4/94 suggests that there is little variation in noise if the cushions are spaced to allow an average of 20mph speed along the route.

As residents they will become more aware of traffic noise and is an example of unintended consequences.

Page 5 of TAL 4/94 suggests that there is little variation in noise if the cushions are spaced to allow an average of 20mph speed along the route.

Lived in the village for over 26 years (and at current address for 13.5) and not aware of any accidents in the area.

No recorded collisions in past 5 years.

Was not directly consulted and only became aware of proposals by notice on-street.

Consultation process included in the HATOC report.

Traffic may be slowed but in doing so will generate more noise from brakes, vehicle engines, gear changes and damage suspension for vehicles driving over them. Increasing environmental harm to road users.

Page 5 of TAL 4/94 suggests that there is little variation in noise if the cushions are spaced to allow an average of 20mph speed along the route.

Cyclists would find the cushions a hazard in the dark.

Cushions would be marked appropriately an in line with relevant regulations and guidance.

Ambulance and mini bus journey would be more uncomfortable (65% of the village is retired).

The scheme has been designed based on guidance from TAL 4/94 and 1/98, which considered the advice of the emergency services.

Where such schemes have been progressed elsewhere, the condition of the road surface around the cushions has deteriorated requiring ongoing repairs.

Road condition will continue to be monitored by the DCC Safety Inspection Policy.

Second Respondent: Resident, West Hill Road

Would like additional speed bumps lower down West Hill Road opposite Toad Pit Lane:

It is a blind corner and tractors regularly exceed 40mph (it is a 20mph limit).

Bus stops on both sides of the road. High chance of speeding cars meeting a stationary bus.

There are large heavy vehicles speeding along the road which require long braking distances.

School buses pick up & drop off children from the junction and speeding vehicles present a danger to these children. So the 20mph needs to be enforced.

There will be a new driveway onto West Hill Road creating a further hazard to speeding cars.

Comments noted.

Fulfilled public duty to raise this risk with the council and hopes that additional speed bumps are needed.

Comments noted.

Third Respondent: Resident, Ashley Brake

Resident in Ashely Brake for almost 30 years and have no knowledge of accidents in West Hill Road.

There have been no recorded collisions in the past 5 years.

Notice of road closure implies that implementation of humps has already been agreed.

Road closure in place to undertake construction of the footway extension.

There has been a speed limit on West Hill Road for some time and speed cushions will not slow the 'wide-track' heavy commercial vehicles or motorcycles. These types of traffic regularly use the road as a shortcut into Ottery St Mary. Suggest a weight restriction.

The scheme has been designed based on guidance from TAL 4/94 and 1/98, which considered the advice of the emergency services.

What traffic may be slowed by speed cushions will create a greater level of noise?

Page 5 of TAL 4/94 suggests that there is little variation in noise if the cushions are spaced to allow an average of 20mph speed along the route.

What traffic may be slowed will both create and spread greater pollution.

A safer route to the school for pedestrians and cyclists could potentially have a positive environmental impact.

No consultation with local residents.

Concerned that new footpath, that forces pedestrians to leave the pavement to negotiate the beech tree, will not improve safety for pedestrians, particularly children.

Noted.

Suggests removing the tree or turn the path through the hedge into the village hall car park to take school children directly to school and onto the store/post office.

Will not resolve the issue of vehicle speed in the 20mph zone.

Fourth Respondent: Ottery St Mary Town Council

Fully support the construction of the new footway.

Noted.

This will reduce the width of the road and, with appropriate road markings and signage, should slow traffic down. The use of speed cushions in this location will seem completely superfluous.

This was not the advice of the safety audit.

Strenuously oppose the proposed speed cushions or any form of obstruction to the highway.

Noted.

After some internet research it would seem that speed cushions are losing favour with many authorities in many countries for the following reasons:

Cost (installation and ongoing maintenance)

Funded through LTP scheme

Little evidence of effectiveness

Evidence shows no accident reduction

Studies have shown that changes in speed are related to changes in accidents, with a1 mph reduction in speed giving a 5% reduction in accidents

Dangerous to cycles and motorcycles due to sloped sides.

The DfT considered designs for speed cushions should accommodate all road users safely. Trials were undertaken to determine design parameters of cushions that might be suitable for use on public roads. The results of these trials are documented in TRL Report PR 32 and have been considered in the design.

Invisible when covered with snow

Travel speed would be appropriate to conditions.

Increased exhaust noise, brake squealing and bangs from lorries.

DfT Document TAL 4/94 states "the presence of a speed cushion can result in a substantial drop in traffic noise levels. The maximum vehicle noise for light vehicles can also be reduced, as a result of light vehicles slowing down at the cushion". The cushions within the scheme are spaced so that constant traffic speeds, averaging 20mph or less, are encouraged along the route.

Traffic will use less suitable routes to avoid cushions

A logical alternative would be the B3174 Exeter Road.

Added pollution from accelerating vehicles and brake/tyre dust.

Dft document TAL 4/96 suggests the considerable increase in NOx suggested by certain road hump experiments abroad is unlikely to occur. This is because the harsh acceleration and deceleration modelled in these experiments is not typical of the driving habits generally adopted. The spacing of cushions in this scheme is based on the best practice guidance.

Damage to tyres.

Designed in line with the advice in TAL 1/98 and 4/94 which takes such factors into account.

Cushions require adequate lighting (although lighting is not mandatory in this case as 20mph zone).

Answered in statement.

If measures are considered necessary, would prefer a rumble strip.

The noise impact on residents would be greater and the impact on vehicle speeds less effective.

Fifth Respondent: Resident, West Hill Road

Property is in the vicinity of one set of the proposed cushions.

Speed of traffic along West Hill Road is frequently in excess of the 30mph & 20mph limits. Therefore supports attempts to reduce the speed of traffic through the village.

Noted.

Understands that some studies show speed cushions result in little change in noise levels, but convinced that the existence of cushions may increase traffic noise, in particular as traffic slows and accelerates over the cushions. Any additional noise would be intrusive and directly affect the properties.

Page 5 of TAL 4/94 suggests that there is little variation in noise if the cushions are spaced to allow an average of 20mph speed along the route.

Would strongly object to the cushions if they require to traffic to almost stop to proceed over them as this would have a significant effect on noise and emissions.

The cushions within the scheme are spaced so that constant traffic speeds, averaging 20mph or less, are encouraged along the route.

Trusts that the design (in particular the width) will prevent larger vehicles (4x4s, SUVs & vans) placing wheels either side of the cushion, thus negating the need to slow down.

The design is based on allowing buses and emergency vehicles along this route and hence has been designed at 1.6m width, based on guidance form TAL 4/94 and 1/98.

As there is a footpath being built, this will make it safer and asks if this has been considered with regard to the proposed cushions.

The safety audit recommended the introduction of traffic calming as unfortunately the required land could not be obtained to complete this section of footway.

Concerned that the excessive speed of traffic approaching the supermarket will be unaffected by this proposal.

This scheme is targeted at the section of West Hill Road within the 20 mph zone.

Concerned that traffic control measures such as speed cushions try to balance competing objectives and their effectiveness may be compromised.

Noted.

Suggests a village wide approach to speed control that might be more effective than physical measures in a residential area.

This scheme is targeted at the section of West Hill Road within the 20 mph zone.

Council needs to consider current and future volumes of traffic through the village.

Noted.

The volume of traffic must affect the number of speeding incidents. It is clear that West Hill Road is used by motorists and commercial vehicles using it as a short cut to Ottery St Mary and has increase significantly in the last 20 years.

The introduction of traffic calming may make this a less attractive short cut option.

Traffic is likely to substantially increase with developments in West Hill and Ottery St Mary.

Noted.

West Hill Road is narrow with poor visibility at points and little footpath. The road is not suitable for the amount and speed of traffic currently using it, let alone any increase.

This scheme will not increase traffic volume.

In summary believes that road safety issues arise from speed and volume of traffic in West Hill and that interventions should be considered on a village wide basis.

Noted.