Decision details

This item is presented as item 12 on the agenda but was brought forward by the Chairman and he felt that this discussion would be useful prior to making decisions on the highways update.

The Area Highway Manager outlined the current issues around traffic flow in Staines and set out options for how this could be improved.

He reports that the present road network in Staines town centre was established as part of the project to pedestrianise the High Street in the late 1990s

Since the late 1990s the town centre has undergone substantial development, resulting in increasing economic activity, which in turn has resulted in an increase in the number of journeys to and from the town centre.  During this time the road network has not benefitted from any significant development.

The town centre area has four points of entry, all of which are constrained:

•       Staines Bridge – which is constrained by the fact that it is a major listed structure spanning the River Thames;

•       Laleham Road – which is constrained by the railway bridge;

•       The Iron Bridge – which is constrained by the fact that it is a railway bridge;

•       Wraysbury Road – which is constrained by the fact that it leads directly to the County Boundary with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

There are a number of significant car parks – including the Elmsleigh Centre, Two Rivers, and Bridge Street.  A car park guidance system has previously been installed, but is now defunct and obsolete. 

Access to the Two Rivers car parks and retail area is very restricted with two constrained access points.  Mustard Mill Road provides an entry point from both the London Road and South Street directions, but only provides and exit towards London Road.  Hale Street provides access to Wraysbury Road and Bridge Street, which in turn connects to Staines Bridge.  Bridge Street itself is narrow and twisting, and frequently heavily congested, resulting in congestion on the approach to Bridge Street across Staines Bridge.

Vehicle movements are controlled by a series of traffic signal controlled junctions, which are coordinated as part of a SCOOT region.  SCOOT stands for “Split Cycle Offset Optimised Timing” and is a system whereby all the traffic signal controlled junctions are connected to an Urban Traffic Control (UTC) computer.  The UTC computer receives information from vehicle detectors on site, and uses this information in real time to control the timing and coordination of the traffic signals so that all the junctions work together as a team to optimise capacity.  If the system is working well, it should respond quickly to the prevailing traffic flows to provide capacity where it is needed.

The SCOOT region was implemented and its operating parameters first validated in the late 1990s, in the context of traffic patterns at the time.  It has not been revalidated since the late 1990s, which means the algorithms controlling traffic rely on operating parameters that are out of date.  In addition for some time the communications links between the junction controllers and the UTC were not operational.  Communication has now been re-established, and arrangements are being made to repair faulty vehicle detectors.  At the present time there is no funding available for revalidation of the operating parameters to suit today’s traffic patterns.

The Highway Manager therefore suggests that an investment of Spelthorne’s available parking surplus might be beneficial in revalidating the present traffic control systems as a first step to improving traffic congestion in the short term.

He also suggests that reviewing charges car parking across the town would be another step. In the longer term, Staines may benefit from a in-depth transport survey which could lead to the road system being remodelled and alternative methods of accessing the town (cycles, park & ride) being explored.

The committee were receptive to this idea, noting that recent  improvements such as the Egham by-pass has been very effective and the improvements to Runnymede roundabout which are currently underway will have many benefits. It was agreed that revalidating the SCOOT system would be a logical first step.