Agenda item

This paper is to brief Members on the outcome of a six week consultation regarding proposed traffic restrictions on Walnut Tree Close which was held between 13 June and 24 July 2016. From this and other considerations, recommendations are made regarding the next steps for Walnut Tree Close.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed:

(i)    To note the results (Annex 1) of the high level analysis of the public engagement event proposed traffic restrictions on Walnut Tree Close and note that further consideration of the comments received will be taken forward as the scheme develops.

(ii)   The proposed trial of two different options for Walnut Tree Close; it was further agreed that decisions regarding details of the proposed trial would be delegated to the Transportation Task Group.

(iii)  To note that the Local Committee would be updated on a regular basis during the life of the project.

These decisions were made to enable the Local Committee to determine the outcome of the project and to keep them informed of the scheme development.

This item was introduced by Robert Curtis, Transport Strategy Project Manager.

It was noted that this was one of several projects funded by the EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership and would be the first to be implemented.The scheme was initially investigated for inclusion within the Town Centre Transport Package after a petition signed by 342 residents was handed to SCC in 2013 requesting that the road be made closed to through-traffic. Residents claimed that a significant amount of the traffic on the road use it as a “rat run” between the A25 and the gyratory.

The consultation was carried out for 6 weeks between 13 June and 24 July 2016. Respondents were asked to consider 2 options for Walnut Tree Close; with the results of the consultation assisting with the decision on which option to take forward as an Experimental Traffic Order which would be in place for up to 18 months.  Respondents were also given the option to “do nothing”.

The two options presented were:

·           A point closure of Walnut Tree Close, preventing any vehicles (except emergency services) from passing through a barrier to be positioned immediately north of the access road to Yorkies Bridge on Walnut Tree Close

·           A one-way restriction enabling vehicles to travel north along Walnut Tree Close but preventing southbound vehicles from travelling along the section between Kernal Court and immediately north of the access road to Yorkies Bridge.

The consultation received the highest response rate of any recent major schemes consultation with 630 questionnaire responses received. Opinion was evenly divided between Option 1 (33%), Option 2 (30%) and neither Option 1 nor 2 (34%).

The Committee supported the proposal for both options to continue to be explored.  They were keen that the start date be brought forward but this might not be possible under the terms of the LEP funding agreement.

There was a general preference for the complete closure to be tried first with a commitment that if it clearly did not work it would be removed. 

It was noted that although the survey attracted a high response rate, those drivers using the road who did not live or work in the road would have been unlikely to comment.  It was suggested that signs should be put up in the road telling people how they could comment.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed:

(i)    To note the results (Annex 1) of the high level analysis of the public engagement event proposed traffic restrictions on Walnut Tree Close and note that further consideration of the comments received will be taken forward as the scheme develops.

(ii)   The proposed trial of two different options for Walnut Tree Close; it was further agreed that decisions regarding details of the proposed trial would be delegated to the Transportation Task Group.

(iii)  To note that the Local Committee would be updated on a regular basis during the life of the project.

These decisions were made to enable the Local Committee to determine the outcome of the project and to keep them informed of the scheme development.