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Paul Gallop, Norfolk County Council, presented his report regarding proposed traffic calming measures along Gorleston High Street. In the previous six years, there had been 18 accidents, none were fatal, two were serious and sixteen were slight, with two being cyclists and ten pedestrian. Following a desktop review of accident data supplied by the Police on a monthly basis, Mr Gallop had been tasked with designing a traffic calming scheme for the High Street.
Mr Gallop reported that he had consulted with 200 shop and house frontages along the High Street together with other stakeholders and the consultation would run until 1 July 2016 and he requested the views of the residents who were present at the Committee.
Mr Ward asked for the data which showed the number of accidents which had been caused by vehicles travelling along the High Street at speeds of between 20 and 30 mph. Mr Gallop reported that he did not have this data to hand. The Chair reported that the Police would hold this data.
Councillor Plant reported that he felt that Inset B & C were too close together, which would result in the High Street becoming jammed solid with traffic. At the moment, traffic along the High Street was self-regulating as busses and lorries which used the High Street, naturally slowed the traffic down. Councillor Plant reported that the High Street was one of the few vibrant High Streets in the Country, and residents liked to drive to the High Street, park, do their shopping and leave. If residents got stuck in traffic jams along the High Street on a regular basis, they would choose to do their shopping elsewhere which would lead to a decline. Councillor Plant had no objection to the introduction of a 20 mph scheme but was not in favour of the physical restrictions.
Councillor C Walker reported that she agreed with Councillor Plant that the traffic along the High Street was self-regulating and that pedestrians would cross the road where they wished, and would not necessarily use the insets, as they often would not use the pedestrian crossings.
Mrs Ward reported that she was concerned for public safety whilst trying to cross the road at Inset C, which was in an area of parked cars which would drastically reduce visibility for mothers with pushchairs, wheelchair users and mobility scooters. She felt that this was a dangerous proposal.
Mr Ling reported that most of the accidents had occurred 20 yards from a zebra crossing and that expecting people to cross using the insets was unrealistic. Councillor Fairhead reported that the Police were concerned regarding illegal parking on traffic calming insets which often caused more accidents in an area than before they were introduced.
A resident was concerned about the proposed loss of parking spaces along the High Street which would push parking out onto adjoining roads which were already experiencing severe parking issues.
A local business owner reported that the proposed scheme would make deliveries to her shop impossible. Another resident reported that the general feeling of the meeting was to keep the status quo along the High Street, so leave things alone and save public money.
Mr Ward reported that he thought that the scheme should have gone out for consultation to the whole of Gorleston and not just properties along the High Street. He reported that if the story had not been reported in The Mercury, residents would have had no knowledge of the scheme. Mrs Ward reported that the consultation should have included the Police and all persons/organisations who used or would be affected by changes to the highway.
The Chair reported that Councillor Plant, as the Portfolio Holder at County, would ultimately sign the scheme off. Mr Gallop reported that he had received 45 responses to date, and that every objector had seen the proposed plans; 37 had not objected, 4 businesses objected to traffic calming measures but not the introduction of a 20 mph scheme, and 4 had objected outright.
Councillor B Walker reported that the views of the traders along the High Street must be given priority.
Councillor Plant reported that the majority of accidents occurred opposite Palmer Road and he therefore suggested that a railing be installed opposite Palmer Road to try and stop this. Councillor Plant reiterated that he agreed with the introduction of a 20 mph scheme but not the traffic calming measures.
The Chair thanked Mr Gallop and Mr Roper for attending the meeting. Mr Gallop reported that he welcomed the valuable feedback obtained from both Members and local residents.