Croydon Council
REPORT TO:
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CABINET COMMITTEE
24th September 2012
AGENDA ITEM:
SUBJECT:
9
Weight Restriction on Blackhorse Lane Bridges North and
South
Executive Director of Planning & Environment
LEAD OFFICER:
CABINET MEMBER:
Councillor Phil Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways and
Environment
WARDS:
Ashburton, Woodside, Addiscombe
CORPORATE PRIORITY/POLICY CONTEXT:
LOCAL AREA AGREEMENT (LAA) TARGETS: These are not applicable for this report
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
The estimated cost of implementing the scheme as recommended in this report is £4000
to be met from the Council’s 2012/2013 Local Implementation Plan allocation.
FORWARD PLAN KEY DECISION REFERENCE NO: Not a key decision
For general release.
1.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.1
It is recommended that the Cabinet Committee:a)
authorise the making of a permanent traffic management order to
implement a weight restriction of 18 tonnes on the north bridge and 3
tonnes on the south bridge to vehicular movement on the bridges
b)
To authorise the Executive Director of Planning & Environment to
make the necessary Traffic Management Order under the Road
Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Subject to the outcome of the formal
consultation.
2.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1
This report provides a review of the bridge assessment work undertaken for
Blackhorse Lane and the recommendation resulting from this assessment.
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3.
DETAIL
3.1
Blackhorse Lane North and South bridges are located in Woodside and
Addiscombe. The structures carry Blackhorse Lane over the Addiscombe
Railway Park (north bridge) and the Tram Line (south bridge). Blackhorse
Lane links Morland Road and Lower Addiscombe Road. The north bridge over
Addiscombe Railway Park is owned by Croydon Council, the south bridge is
owned by TFL.
3.2
The bridge assessment programme whereby highway structures’ load carrying
capacities are assessed against current vehicular loads has been continuing
for a number of years. Details of this programme have been provided in
various Transport Plans, Borough Spending Plan etc. The current bridge
assessment programme is funded by Transport for London.
3.3
There are no plans at present for the Council, or TfL Tramlink, to carry out any
structural repairs to these bridges which would resolve the need for these
weight limits.
3.4
The Signage for the weight restrictions has been in place for some time. A
traffic order for the weight restrictions is not in place and is required to enforce
the weight restriction on both north and south structures.
Bridge
Blackhorse Lane North
Blackhorse Lane South
Proposed weight limit
18 tonne
3 tonne
3.5
The total cost of the scheme including staff resources is estimated to be
£4000.
4.
CONSULTATION
4.1
The making of the Traffic Management Order will involve the giving of public
notice and the consideration of any material objections that may be received.
4.2
The Metropolitan Police, Ambulance Service and Fire Brigade have been
consulted on the proposals and no adverse comments have been received.
5.
FINANCIAL & RISK ASSESSMENT CONSIDERATIONS
5.1
Revenue and Capital consequences of report recommendations
Current year
2012/13
£’000
Revenue
available
Budget
Expenditure
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Medium Term Financial Strategy –
3 year forecast
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
£’000
£’000
£’000
Income
Effect
of
from report
decision
Expenditure
Income
Remaining budget
Capital
available
Expenditure
Effect
of
from report
Budget
4
decision
Expenditure
4
Remaining budget
0
5.2
The effect of the decision
The total cost of introducing the weight restriction on Blackhorse Lane Bridges
is estimated to be £4,000, which is for the legal costs. This can be funded
from the Council’s 2012/2013 Local Implementation Plan.
5.3
Risks
There is no budget available to cover any unforeseen overspend and this
would represent a financial risk were the scheme costs to exceed the
estimate.
If the Cabinet Committee agrees to the introduction of the weight restriction on
the north and south Blackhorse Lane Bridges it will enable the weight
restriction to be enforced.
5.4
Options
There are no financial options arising from this report
5.5
Future savings/efficiencies
There are no financial savings or efficiencies arising from this report.
Approved by Tim Flood on behalf of Head of Finance, Planning &
Environment.
6.
COMMENTS OF THE COUNCIL SOLICITOR AND MONITORING OFFICER
6.1
The Council has the power to make the necessary traffic management order
pursuant to The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
6.2
The recommended weight restriction is a safety measure. Failure to
implement could leave the Council open to serious legal repercussions in the
event of a future bridge failure due to overloading.
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6.3
In order to introduce a weight restriction on Blackhorse Lane Bridge, it would
be necessary to make a Traffic Management Order under the provisions of
the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended
Approved by Melissa Clarke, Corporate Solicitor on behalf of the Council
Solicitor and Monitoring Officer
7.
HUMAN RESOURCES IMPACT
7.1
There are no Human Resources considerations arising from this report.
Approved by:
Adrian Prescod, HR Business Partner, on behalf of the Director, Human
Resources & Organisational Effect
8.
EQUALITIES IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)
8.1
There are no equality considerations arising from this report.
The
recommended weight restriction is purely intended as an essential safety
measure.
9.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND DESIGN IMPACT
9.1
Restricting certain vehicles from using this bridge could have a detrimental
effect on the longer diversionary route. Obviously using a longer route will
result in greater fuel usage and more CO2 emissions.
10.
CRIME & DISORDER REDUCTION, and HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACT
10.1
There is no crime & disorder reduction or human rights impacts arising from
this report.
11.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION / DATA PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS
11.1
Whilst the subject matter of the consultation exercise will be accessible under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000, details of the names and addresses of
those responding to the consultation would constitute personal information
and therefore be exempt under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Report Author:
Russell Birtchnall
Engineer – Network Improvements
Telephone: - 020 8726 6000 ext. 62178
Contact Officer:
Sue Ritchie
Group Engineer – Network Improvement
020 8726 6000 ext 63823
Background Documents:
Sign Plan
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