HIGHWAYS ACT 1980
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD HUMP, CONISTON ROAD, PATCHWAY
S T A T E M E N T O F R E A S O N S
Background Coniston Road Subway (South Gloucestershire Council Structure Number 58002) carries Coniston Road over a footway in Patchway. It provides access under Coniston Road from the residential areas to the south and local shops and services to the north. These include the local primary school and medical centre.
As well as a history of anti-social behaviour associated with the subway, the parapet railings are in poor condition and would not offer sufficient protection in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle. Replacing the railings would require significant alterations to the subway at considerable cost. Therefore, a more affordable solution would be to remove the subway entirely.
The proposed parallel crossing and table are therefore required to provide an alternative safe way to cross Coniston Road in place of the subway.
Purpose of Scheme The purpose of the scheme is to remove the hazard caused by the substandard parapet railings, remove the opportunity for criminal and antisocial behaviour, provide a safe crossing facility, improve pedestrian and cycling facilities along Coniston Road and to increase active travel opportunities to Coniston Primary School.
Proposed Scheme The scheme is to replace the existing subway under Coniston Road and the pair of existing traffic calming cushions on Coniston Road with a Parallel Crossing on a raised table at the same location. The existing subway would be filled in and a new continuous, level footway along the south side of Coniston Road created.
Parallel crossings look similar to zebra crossings but have a separate, segregated cycle crossing parallel to the pedestrian crossing. This enables both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road separately but also gives cyclists the same level of priority as pedestrians.
Coniston Road is subject to a 20mph speed limit and currently has several physical traffic calming features along its length. Two existing speed cushions will need to be removed and replaced by a raised table so that the parallel crossing is at the same level as the adjacent footways whilst maintaining the effectiveness of the traffic calming features. It will also help reduce traffic speeds approaching the new crossing.
Equality Act 2010 Thorough consideration has been given to the Equalities duty of the Council under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010.
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
In deciding to introduce this raised crossing the Council have had regard to the duty set out in section 90A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians).
The crossing would be installed under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, and the raised table would be installed in accordance with the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999.
Crime Prevention
The proposed scheme has been reviewed by a Designing Out Crime Officer for Avon and Somerset Police. He has confirmed that the scheme is fully compliant with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles.
Consultations
Consultation has also been carried out with Statutory Consultees, including the Police, Emergency Services, Bus operators and the local Councillor. No objections have been raised.
Drawing Reference Drawing WECA_SGC-ATK-HGN-CONISTON-DR-CH-000003 shows a plan of the proposed arrangements.
The scheme will be advertised 19/4/2023 to 13/5/2023 at: https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/PT.7572ConistonCrossing/consultationHome
