Here you will find information on road safety traffic schemes and road safety.
The need for a scheme can be varied. It may be a bad accident record or the concerns of residents that prompt an investigation. Sometimes the council adopts an area-wide approach to traffic problems, for example, where there is a demand from several residential roads for speed control humps. Priority is given to the worst problems first.
Potential schemes are assessed against the following policies:
The council consults residents for their views before the introduction of any new traffic measures. Additionally, many traffic measures require the publication of a formal notice in the press. A six-week period is allowed for objections to be received. Formal objections are considered, and schemes may need to be redesigned with more notices before a legal traffic order can be made and the scheme introduced. The council is responsible for introducing and maintaining physical measures and for making any necessary traffic orders. However, enforcing traffic orders is the responsibility of police.
Click here to visit the traffic management consultations page.
The council receives many requests for new and upgraded pedestrian crossings, each year. Requests are often made by residents and each is examined on its individual merits. Many requests are not justified because of low levels of pedestrian movement. Other factors include the number of injures on the road near the site, the degree of difficulty crossing the road and local features such as hospitals, schools and shops. Pedestrian crossings have shortcomings and are not the answer in every case. Here are some of the different types of crossings you might encounter: Puffin crossings One of the main features of a puffin crossing is the red and green man signals are just above the WAIT box and not on the other side of the road. Puffin crossings have special sensors built in which can detect a pedestrian waiting and make sure traffic remains stopped until all pedestrians have crossed the road. Pelican crossings Pelican crossings are controlled by the pedestrian pressing the button on the WAIT box. Pedestrians should only cross when the green man lights up and all the traffic has stopped. Sometimes there is a bleeper to help blind or partially sighted people know when it is safe to cross. We no longer install pelicans, as the newer puffin crossings provide a better facility for pedestrians. Zebra crossing This crossing has black and white stripes with orange flashing beacons at each end. A zebra crossing gives the pedestrian right of way once their foot is on the crossing. However, pedestrians must make sure all the traffic has stopped before crossing. Toucan crossings These crossings are provided for pedestrians and cyclists, usually at sites where cycle routes cross busy roads. They are operated by a push button on the WAIT box. On a toucan there is a green and red cycle signal as well as the more familiar red and green man. Cyclists do not have to dismount to cross. Pedestrian refuges In some locations, where a pedestrian crossing cannot be justified, a ‘pedestrian refuge’ or traffic island may be placed. These allow pedestrians to cross in two halves with a safe place to wait in the middle. Pedestrians should cross with care, as drivers have priority at traffic islands. Useful documents
Design of pedestrian crossings local transport note 2-95.pdf
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The assessment of pedestrian crossings - local transport note 1-95.pdf
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We have vacancies for school crossing patrols and relief school crossing patrols across the county. The position of school crossing patrol officer is suitable for people able to commit a minimum of one hour a day to the service. Please contact parking services for more information:
If you would like a speed limit to be lowered, raised or extended, please contact us using the online form. Your request will then be assessed. The police’s view on a change to a speed limit will be sought. The characteristics of the road, such as the level of activity alongside and accident record, will be taken into account. In urban areas, speed limits should fit into an easily understood hierarchy for drivers to abide by. Before deciding to change an existing speed limit, the highway authority must consider all the relevant factors such as:
If it is decided a change in the speed limit is needed, then a new speed limit order has to be made. This involves a statutory legal process that takes about nine months. If the road in question has a system of street lighting on it with no speed limit signs, the road’s limit is 30mph. The system of street lighting in a built-up area should be sufficient evidence of the limit.
Traffic regulation orders.pdf
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3/12/2012 11:23 AM
Speed limits
Speed know your limits.pdf
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