meadow road traffic management survey -...

Meadow Road, Mirehouse, Whitehaven Traffic Options Report

APPENDIX A

Meadow Road Traffic Management Survey

Status (Shaded) Names Signatures Dates

Draft

Final

Prepared by

Laura McClellan

Approved by

Karl Melville

Distribution List: Karl Melville – Cumbria County Council


Kevin Cosgrove – Cumbria County Council Kevin Thompson – Capita Symonds


Contents

Page 1 Introduction 1 2 Background 1 3 Site Information 1 4 Identified Measures 1 5 Recommendations 2 6 Cost 2 5 Conclusion 2 Appendices

Appendix A – Location Plans Appendix B – Traffic Survey Data Appendix C – Accident Data Appendix D – Site Photographs Appendix E – Proposed Drawing Appendix F – Sign Detail Appendix G – Bill of Quantities


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1 Introduction 1.1 Cumbria County Council has issued a brief to Capita Symonds to produce a traffic report on

the U4372 Meadow Road, Mirehouse. The purpose of the report is to investigate traffic options that would enhance safety for road users and pedestrians. The report details recommendations and estimated costs for implementation.

2 Background 2.1 Concerns have been raised by residents of Mirehouse in relation to problems around the

shopping area on the U4372 Meadow Road, Mirehouse, Whitehaven. The residents feel that the area around Mirehouse shops is dangerous based on the amount of parked traffic loading/unloading, when the cars are parked on the highway outside of the shopping area the road width is reduced to a single lane. The area is also located near a children’s play area and they feel possible improvements or safety measures would be warranted. The site is shown on the attached plan as part of Appendix A:-

3 Site information 3.1 Visually the road condition is fair and has no signs of deterioration. The road markings are in

poor condition and require refreshing. Outside the shops on Meadow road there is a high volume of parked cars which are loading and unloading. There is a bus stop which is located within the lay-by and measures approximately 30.5m, the bus stop markings consist of a clearway although no sign is erected. There is a bus shelter on the footway and a bus timetable which is mounted on an existing street lighting column. The footway on the right hand side is in good condition and measures on average 6m in width. There is no footway on the left hand side, this is currently a grass verged area. There is also a children’s play area on the right hand side which many residents have raised concerns relating to children crossing in this sensitive area. A traffic survey was carried in April 2002 as part of a separate exercise; the results are attached as part of Appendix B. The study took place over a 48 hour period. The average speed recorded southbound was 27mph with 12.01% exceeding the current speed limit of 30mph. The average speed recorded southbound was 32mph with 29.58% exceeding the current speed limit of 30mph. This survey was carried out approx 470m south of the Mirehouse shops area although this gives us a good idea of what volume of traffic uses the road. The accident data on Meadow Road shows 1 recorded accident in the last 5 years, 1 slight which occurred due to the bus movement. The accident information forms part of Appendix C.

4 Identified Measures 4.1 Following a site assessment it was agreed that measures were required to be taken to reduce

the risk to pedestrians and alleviate the congestion issue in the area.

The site visit showed that a large amount of traffic was using this road and parking outside of the shops to load/unload. Buses collect passengers from the bus stop every half hour between the hours of 7am and 10pm Monday – Sunday, when the buses are collecting passengers they are unable to manoeuvre correctly into the stop therefore causing cars to back up along Meadow Road. Photos are attached as part of Appendix D. Cars are also parked on the right hand side of Meadow Road reducing the road to a single lane road width.

5. Recommendation 5.1 The recommendation for this location is to reduce the length of the bus stop from 30m to 18m

and move the stop approximately 36m east, this will provide more loading/unloading area for cars. Along with moving the stop a new bus shelter will be erected and a Clearway sign will also be erected to suite the days and times in which the buses stop at this location.


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Also it is recommended that a new lay by is installed to provide an additional parking area for cars, this will provide more road space for cars to travel without causing a build up in moving traffic. The proposed lay by is shown on the attached drawing show in Appendix E, which shows it being formed within the grass verged area. It is also proposed that No Waiting At Any Time restrictions are laid along the highway, on the right hand side of the carriageway from the speed hump on Meadow road continuing for a distance of approximately 26m in an easterly direction, and on the left hand side of the carriageway from the junction with Whinlatter road for a distance of approximately 39m in a easterly direction, this will stop traffic parking at the location and enable children from the play area to cross over the road without being in danger of manoeuvring traffic.

6. Cost 6.1 Lay by - £6000

Road Markings - £2000 Traffic Management (Road Closure) - £1000.00

New Bus Shelter - £4500.00 (estimate) See Appendix G 7. Conclusion 7.1 It is essential that alternative parking arrangements are fully warranted at this location to

ensure that the backed up traffic flows are reduced and buses are more able to reach the destination safely without obstruction. It is also essential that the Borough Council arrange for enforcement officers to make regular visits to the location in question, it is believed that should some impact be taken the illegal parking in bus stops etc will be reduced.


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APPENDICES


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APPENDIX A

Location Plan


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APPENDIX B

Traffic Survey Data


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APPENDIX C

Accident Data


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APPENDIX D

Site Photographs


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APPENDIX E

Proposed Drawing


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APPENDIX F

Sign Design


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APPENDIX G

Bill of Quantities

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