Agenda item

A.O.B

Dedworth/Clewer areas

 

Following concerns raised by local residents, discussion of speed humps and cushions and the current condition of road surfaces in which they are used.

Minutes:

Susy Shearer explained that she had become aware of a conversation on social media in the last 6 months relating to the variable heights and shapes of traffic cushions in the Dedworth and Clewer areas. She had forwarded the details of problems on specific roads to Gordon Oliver. Often the road surface around the cushion was of poor quality and in need of resurfacing. Ms Shearer referred to a scheme in Galleys Road that was 15 years old but had a smooth road surface and a sinusoidal hump profile. The Chairman commented that the humps on Dedworth Road had been put in when the Tesco store had opened. They had originally been too high and an ambulance had got stranded so the height had been reduced. Cllr Lion asked if the humps were needed. There had been a history of speeding and the humps were effective in addressing this.

 

David Lambourne referred to the traffic calming scheme on Burchetts Green Road. He had objected to the scheme when it was proposed and had asked for gaps to let cyclists through. He had been told the humps would be kept in good condition but this had not happened; there was a particular problem with the granite setts around the humps. The Chairman suggested that Volker highways be asked to undertake an audit of the road surface.

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v  Action: Volker highways be asked to undertake an audit of the road surface on Burchetts Green Road.

 

Gordon Oliver confirmed that a line had been included in the 2018/19 capital programme to look at humps in the Dedworth area. Councillor Beer highlighted the need for people to look at the situation from the point of view of the cyclist.  David Lambourne commented that unfortunately inspections were undertaken to the national standard  of being safe for the motorist.

 

David Lambourne commented that to encourage people to cycle the figure of £10 per head recommended by the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group should be recognised and applied. The government did not meet their standard but the borough should try to do so. Holland had achieved a cycle network by ring-fencing funds each year.  He had stopped attending the Forum in the past because of a lack of will by the Cabinet. The current administration was spending more but not enough. The Action Plan was very good but unless funding was available it would simply be a piece of paper. Studies had shown that every £1 spent on infrastructure had a £2 health benefit. The Chairman suggested this was a national problem therefore contact could be made with the Secretary of State for Transport. Residents could also meet with Theresa May as the local MP to raise concerns. With the introduction of Community Infrastructure Levy, a parish council with an adopted Neighbourhood Plan would receive 25% of contributions to spend on local infrastructure. 

 

Gordon Oliver referred to a communication he had received from Mike Gammage highlighting the need to understand why people did not cycle. He explained that the council undertook an annual survey that included a series of questions about cycling and went to a random sample of residents. The Chairman suggested the issue should be discussed by the Task and Finish Group.

 

v  Action: The Task and Finish Group to consider why people did not cycle.

 

The Forum considered the style of cycle parking that should be installed outside the row of shops on the A4 to the east of Maidenhead. The standard in Maidenhead town centre was the fin style racks. Councillor Smith had suggested an ‘M’ style that would provide better physical support. Susy Shearer and Rosie Morton commented that the fin style allowed for bikes to fall over and for wheels to be vandalised. The Chairman suggested examples be sent to Councillor Smith and the Forum for feedback.

 

v  Action: Examples of cycle parking to be sent to Councillor Smith and Forum Members for feedback

 

Gordon Oliver explained that there was nothing in legislation that could stop someone locking a bike to street furniture. A sign could be put up to say any bikes would be removed; this was being considered for Eton bridge. A by-law could be passed to prohibit bikes from being left in certain places. Forum members were advised to use the ‘report it’ function on the borough website to report bikes left locked to street furniture that had been vandalised and abandoned.

 

John Payne commented that he regularly cycled on the A308 to Windsor cycle path. He had reported many times that some hedges were 50% overhanging the pavement. He had been told homeowners would be asked to cut the hedges back but it did not always happen. The Chairman agreed to speak to relevant officers about the issue.

 

v  Action: The Chairman to raise the issue of hedge-cutting on the A308 with relevant officers.

 

Councillor Lion raised the issue of aggressive cyclists in the pedestrian areas in Maidenhead Town Centre. The police had said they could not do anything to address the issue unless they had a witness, and that it was the responsibility of the local authority to take action. However the borough had said it was also powerless. Gordon Oliver confirmed that a traffic regulation order was in force but enforcement was lacking. There had been suggestions for the TRO to be enforced by Community Wardens, but only the police had the power to stop and fine an individual. Councillor Beer commented he was aware of cyclists on Peascod Street being prosecuted. The Chairman asked for the TRO to be included in the cycling strategy. Steven Shepherd commented that people cycled on the pavement because they felt safe; there was a wider infrastructure issue.  

 

v  Action: The TRO on Maidenhead High Street to be discussed by the Task and Finish Group.

 

Susy Shearer clarified that the feasibility study in relation to the town centre and riverside area of Windsor had been in progress for 3 months and a report would be submitted to Cabinet later in the year. The intention was to collect evidence of what people would like to see in the town centre.

 

The Chairman suggested that a presentation from Heathrow would be useful at a future Task and Finish group.

 

v  Action: Heathrow be asked to present at a future Task and Finish Group meeting.