To review the Dedworth Road/Hatch Lane Roundabouts trial.

The Chairman informed the Panel that Cllr Tisi had requested the item come to the Panel and that the request had been added to our work programme. 

The Head of Commissioning – Infrastructure, informed the Panel that in 2018 Ward Councillors requested proposals seeking to improve road safety and traffic flows and to respond to the issues of traffic entering and exiting the ‘Tesco’ causing blocking of traffic into the Hatch Lane / Parsonage Lane  junction. 

Desktop analysis was completed, and a ‘live’ trial scheme introduced seeking to understand the impact of converting the junction to a roundabout operation.  Consultation was undertaken with 60% in support to convert the ‘trial’ roundabout scheme to a permanent solution which was completed in September 2019.

Cllr Tisi asked whether it was made clear to residents that opting for the roundabout system to be made permanent would involve zebra crossings being fitted, why was a zebra crossing not used in the trial.  The Panel were informed that during the trial temporary traffic lights were used for the pedestrian crossing as a temporary zebra crossing would not have met safety standards.

Cllr Tisi asked if it was always the intention to have a zebra crossing and why it was not mentioned in the consultation.  Residents assumed that the traffic lights would be maintained.  The Panel were informed that it was an open consultation and they did not wish to predetermine the outcome, it was accepted that it should have been made clear that traffic lights would not be retained.

Cllr Davies mentioned that the junction was very busy with local shops, four schools and bus stops all in the area, she was also concerned that there had been no mention of having a zebra crossing.  Mobil traffic lights were not mentioned in the technical briefing.

Cllr Tisi asked if the new system had improved the situation with traffic coming out of Tesco’s causing congestion.  The Panel were informed that feedback suggested that there had been improvement and prior to work being undertaken a road safety audit would have been completed. 

Cllr Davies asked who made the decision to go for a trial roundabout rather than the original plan to look at upgrading the existing traffic light system.  The Panel were informed that it was the then Lead Member who decided to go ahead with the trial using officer delegated powers, the works done outside Windsor Boys School had been used as a live example.  

Cllr Davies also raised concerns about safety in the area as drivers used it as a through area with speeds increasing whilst local drivers, walkers and cyclists safety was being compromised.  Different users had different priorities.

Cllr Tisi mentioned that there had been a loss of parking outside the shops and that through traffic did not realise that there was a raised pedestrian crossing.

Susy Shearer mentioned that cyclists were being driven away from junctions due to speeding traffic travelling east to west.

Ben Smith said he would look at the safety audit to see if anything can be done regarding the concerns raised.

Cllr Brar asked why the consultation period had been extended and was informed that it was due to the elections.

The Panel noted the report.

(Cllr Tisi, Cllr Davies and Susy Shearer left the meeting)