Report of the Operational Director of Highways

The purpose of this report is to review the speed limit reduction scheme that was implemented on the A5103 - Princess Road and the impact on 2 adjacent roads (Alexandra Road South and Nell Lane). The speed limit along Princess Road was recently reduced from 40 mph down to 30mph, implemented on the 30 April 2017 via the introduction of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). This temporary order was put in place as a safety precaution while the permanent order was progressed.

The scheme was developed in response to public concerns around road safety, and in particular the safety of pedestrians crossing Princess Rd. The severity of the concerns had been heightened by two fatal collisions involving pedestrians at the Darley Avenue crossing in December 2015 and December 2016.

The Committee considered the report of the Operational Director of Highways that provided a review of the speed limit reduction scheme that had been implemented on the A5103 Princess Road and the impact on two adjacent roads (Alexandra Road South and Nell Lane). The speed limit along Princess Road was recently reduced from 40 mph down to 30mph, implemented on the 30 April 2017 via the introduction of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). This temporary order was put in place as a safety precaution while the permanent order was progressed.

The scheme was developed in response to public concerns around road safety, and in particular the safety of pedestrians crossing Princess Road. The severity of the concerns had been heightened by two fatal collisions involving pedestrians at the Darley Avenue crossing in December 2015 and December 2016.

Officers referred to the main points and themes within the report which included: -

·         Providing a background and rationale for introducing the speed limit;

·         Data on traffic counts for periods prior to the introduction of the limit and post introduction;

·         Comparative collision data analysis;

·         Comparative data of vehicle volume and speed;

·         Noting that the reduction in speed limit on Princess Parkway / Road, appeared to have had a positive effect in reducing the severity of collisions, which would correlate with a reduction in the overall speed of vehicles; and

·         Overall there was a small reduction in the average vehicle speeds on Princess Parkway / Road, but generally these are not significant.

The Committee then heard from three local ward Councillors who had been invited to share their views and experience following the speed limit change. The three Members stated that the introduction of the speed limit had been very positive for local residents and shared with the Committee the comments received from residents. These included the reduced noise levels, a safer environment for pedestrians and safer crossings. The Members thanked officers for delivering the scheme and suggested that more should be done to publicise enforcement activity and that Greater Manchester Police should support residents undertaking speed watches in their communities. 

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Thanking those residents and ward Members who had been instrumental in campaigning for the reduction in the speed limit;

·         Members of the Committee whose wards had been affected by the change welcomed the reduction in the speed limit;

·         Was consideration been given to implementing similar speed restrictions on other arterial roads in Manchester;

·         Members would welcome the introduction of speed restrictions on roads that led off Princess Road;

·         Had any analysis been undertaken to understand the levels of traffic displacement following the introduction of the speed restriction;

·         Expressing disappointment that Greater Manchester Police were not in attendance, noting that enforcement of this scheme was important;

·         Members identified a number of locations along the route that they suggested may need to be reviewed to ensure they remained safe and requested that officers undertook this review; and

·         Was this work coordinated with Highways England and neighbouring authorities.

The Director of Operations (Highways) welcomed the positive comments received regarding the scheme. He advised that nationally funding for such schemes had reduced however consideration would be given to prioritising future schemes and that the Committee would be informed as these plans developed.

The Head of City Wide Highways responded to questions stating that analysis of displaced traffic would continue and be reported in future update reports, and this analysis would inform the design of future schemes. He commented that officers were working with ward members and residents in Hulme to deliver further road safety improvements. He confirmed that the department did work with other neighbouring authorities and Highways England. In regard to speed cameras the Committee were informed that there were strict criteria that had to be met before these could be installed, however mobile cameras could be deployed. In response to the areas identified for further inspection by Members he gave an assurance that these would be investigated.   

The Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport informed the Committee that GMP had been invited to attend the meeting and contribute to the discussion, unfortunately however they had been unable to attend. She commented that she supported the call from Members for GMP to deliver targeted campaigns to address speeding and support residents organising speed watch campaigns. 

Decision

The Committee;

1. Welcome the reported road safety improvements along the Princess Road / Princess Parkway;

2. Recommend that the displacement of traffic continues to be monitored and analysis of this data is provided in a future update report;

3. Recommend that officers explore the options for establishing an online resource to enable residents to provide feedback on this scheme and any future scheme;

4. Recommends that officers in consultation with Greater Manchester Police install road safety cameras where appropriate to improve road safety; and

5. To request an update report in 12 months’ time.