AGENDA ITEM
6
BOROUGH OF POOLE
CANFORD HEATH EAST AND WEST, CREEKMOOR AND OAKDALE
AREA COMMITTEE
21 NOVEMBER 2012
PARKSTONE GRAMMAR SCHOOL ZONE, ZEBRA CROSSING AND
CHANGES TO PARKING RESTRICTIONS
REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
1. PURPOSE
1.1.
The Programme of 20mph and School Zones outside Schools is
contained within the Transportation Capital Programme. This
Programme of works aims to improve the safety and environment
outside schools and achieve targets set out in the Local Transport Plan.
1.2.
This Report proposes a School Zone in parts of Sopers Lane, French
Road and all of Underwood Close. The proposals also include a new
zebra crossing in the vicinity of the School entrance, as well as
changes to waiting/ loading restrictions.
2. DECISIONS REQUIRED
2.1
It is recommended that this Area Committee:
(i)
Approves the suggested School Zone in Sopers Lane, French
Road and Underwood Close as shown on Drawing No.
JC0903/ 04.
(ii)
Authorises advertisement of the Traffic Regulation Orders
required for amendments to the waiting/ loading restrictions.
3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
3.1.
On 13 November 2003, the Transportation Advisory Group (TAG)
approved a study to implement a strategy for establishing 20mph
speed limits outside schools. The results of the Study were presented
to the 14 April 2005 Meeting of the TAG, where Members approved a
list prioritising 20mph zones for all 42 schools in the Borough.
3.2.
Implementation of a 20mph zone for each school was prioritised on
the basis of:
3.2.1. School Travel Plans, in order that these zones can be built into a
holistic approach to school travel issues. Such plans are a
demonstration of collaborative working and indeed their
existence attracts additional Government funding.
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3.2.2. The child casualty record outside schools.
3.2.3. The appropriateness of such a zone to the school(s) location
including the linking of school sites in close proximity.
3.3.
Subsequently the Strategy was extended to include the introduction of
School Zones, where a 20mph Zone would be inappropriate.
3.4.
A programme of work was developed, which is currently funded from
the “Better Safety, Security & Health” section of the Local Transport
Plan budget.
4. PROPOSALS
4.1.
The main access to Parkstone Grammar School is via Sopers Lane.
4.2.
It is now proposed that a School Zone be introduced in the parts of
Sopers Lane and French Road, which are in the vicinity of the School
entrance, as well as the whole of Underwood Close.
4.3.
Detailed proposals are shown on Drawing No. JC0903/04 at Appendix
A.
4.4.
A loading ban will be introduced on all double yellow lines shown on
Sopers Lane, French Road and Underwood Close. The inclusion of a
loading ban will mean that parking at this location is immediately a
ticketable offence.
4.5.
It is proposed to supplement the double yellow lines in the vicinity of
the school entrance with a part time parking/ loading ban which will
operate 8:00 – 10:00am and 14:00 – 16:00pm (Monday to Friday), as
used at other schools. The parking restrictions that we apply outside
schools were developed after studying the start and finish times of all
the Boroughs schools so that a consistent set of restrictions could be
applied throughout the Borough that would cover critical times for all
our schools.
Other Works
4.6.
A zebra crossing is proposed across Sopers Lane, just east of the
French Road junction, to assist pupils/ parents to cross the road.
4.7.
To allow incorporation of the zebra crossing it will be necessary to
relocate the existing bus stop and shelter on the south side of Sopers
Lane. It is proposed that the bus stop be moved further east and
incorporate a new bus shelter and raised kerbs to assist access. The
properties at this location have high hedges fronting the road.
4.8.
A small amount of kerb realignment will be necessary at the Sopers
Lane/ French Road junction.
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Consultation
4.9.
Residents, in the vicinity of the works, Parkstone Grammar School and
the local bus companies have been consulted regarding these
proposals. Residents’ comments are included at Appendix B. The bus
companies have no objection to the bus stop moving.
4.10.
Other residents would have an opportunity to make any comments
when the Orders for the parking/ loading changes are advertised. Any
objections would be brought back to the January’s Meeting of this
Committee.
4.11.
It is proposed to erect signs at the three ‘gateways’ to the School
Zone. In addition, the “gateway” effect would be further emphasised
by using buff coloured surfacing across the road.
5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
5.1.
The cost of the Proposals have been estimated at £43,100. The
budget for this would need to be allocated from the 2012/ 13 Capital
Programme.
6. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
6.1.
The changes to/ additional waiting/ loading restrictions would need to
be formally advertised. Any objections to these will be referred back to
this Committee for consideration.
7. RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
7.1.
Inability to identify sufficient funding from the 2012/13 Capital
Programme.
8. EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
8.1.
It is judged that the overall benefit of this Scheme would be a positive
one for the community and is not discriminatory against any particular
group of individuals.
9. CONCLUSIONS
9.1.
The Committee are asked to consider the Proposals detailed on
Drawing No. JC0903/04 at Appendix A.
Julian McLaughlin
Head of Transportation Services
Contact Officer : Graham Spicer (01202 262072)
Appendix A - Drawing No. JC0903/04
Appendix B – Consultation comments
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