Issue - meetings

An officer comment to the following petition is included within: Review the traffic access routes into and out of Costa, Bagshot (including signage and street furniture) to reduce driver confusion, increase safety, improve traffic flow and reduce nuisance, based on these observations

Surrey Heath Local Committee agreed to:

i)          Support the Transport Development Planning Officer’s meeting with Costa Coffee, Bagshot to discuss issues raised out of the Level 3 Safety Audit.

Reason for the decision:

The above decision was made in response to a resident’s petition seeking a review of the access arrangements for the Costa Coffee Drive Through.

Declarations of interest: None

Officers attending: Andy Stokes, Transport, Development and Planning (TDP) Officer

Petitions, Public Question, Statements: The lead petitioner, Mr Hamilton addressed the committee, detailing the concerns of the residents in Bagshot with regards to the access off the A30 in to the costa drive thru. He explained that the residents were unaware of exactly what was planned for the site when initial planning permission was approved but do accept that planning permission had been granted. He also noted that although not many accidents have been reported there are frequent near misses at this turning. Mr Hamilton concluded that in consultation with the Divisional Member and TDP Officer there were several options available to helping to alleviate the problems at this junction.

1.    Conduct an audit of signage in the vicinity to ensure the entrance to costa is clearly signed.

2.    Take further steps to ensure accidental access to the residential road adjacent to Costa is reduced.

3.    Install signs along the A30 to stop users making dangerous U-turns.

4.    Add keep clear markings or a yellow hatched box outside the Costa entrance to stop dangerous queuing on the A30.

Member Discussion – Key Points

1.   The TDP Officer commented that although planning permission had been granted and a series of audits conducted to ensure safe driver movements, drivers do not always behave as expected and dangerous driving situations can occur. He noted that a big issue is drivers taking the wrong turning in to the adjacent residential road and then having to back out on to the A30 to find the correct entrance to Costa. This would be helped by decluttering this section of the A30. Discussions are ongoing with Costa and a meeting has been agreed with them to improve matters.

2.   It’s important to distinguish what is an A30 problem and what is a Costa problem. Ideas for signage to improve matters have been sent to Highways for consideration.

3.   The members noted the access will continue to be reviewed and monitored, addressing any problems that arise.

Resolution:

The Surrey Heath Local Committee agreed to support the Transport Development Planning Officer's meeting with Costa, Bagshot to discuss issues raised out of the Level 3 Safety Audit.

The above decision was made in response to the resident’s concerns and petition presented to the committee to review the access arrangements.