|
A26 north and south of Crowborough Sadly, there was another fatality. On that occasion, at the Bunny Lane junction. County Councillor Bob Tidy (Wadhurst Division that includes Frant) and I called for a meeting of Senior Officers, Emergency Services and local Parish and Town Councillors etc., to discuss the recurring problems. A preliminary meetings took place between County Council Officers, the Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment with County Councillors Tidy, Bagshawe and me at the Bunny Lane/A26 junction followed immediately by another meeting at Crowborough Town Hall on Monday 29th July to consider plans already under way by the County Officers for both Bunny Lane and the stretch of road leading to the Forstals from Crowborough as well as other trouble spots north of Uckfield and further south. it was agreed to hold another meeting of appropriate parties to an evening meeting at the Crowborough Town Hall on Thursday 22nd August. Those invited would include representatives from the Emergency Services, nominees from Wealden District, Crowborough Town, Frant and Eridge Parish Councils, local County Councillors as well as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and the two Local MPs, Charles Hendry and Archie Norman. The priority will be the Bunny Lane junction and the most effective way of resolving the problems as quickly as possible but other 'A26 crash locations' will be raised. Work is planned to start during the early part of 2004 to improve the safety of this junction.
Traffic Calming – priority assessment of requests and related petitions Over 200 countywide requests have been listed by Highways. Priority assessment criteria now applies - (only sites that have recorded at least 1 personal injury accident in last 3 years will qualify for investigation depending upon funds availability) 7 schemes already selected. The remaining 138 include in rank order A26 Beacon Road - 1st, Montargis Way - 19th Queen’s Road – 26th, Whitehill Road – 28th, Western Road – 30th,St.John’s Rd – 83, Forest Rise – 127th. List at Town Hall. Discussions have taken place with residents over traffic issues in Queen’s Road/Church Road as well as Chapel Green, Alice Bright Lane, Whitehill Road and High Broom Lane/Road. Signs warning drivers that it is likely that elderly people could be crossing the road in Queen's and Church Roads have been installed. The area around Alice Bright Lane and High Broom Lane/Road has been under discussion with Highways and local residents; although a few warning signs are likely to be installed in Alice Bright Lane, a review will be undertaken for that road and High Broom Road together when resources allow. Hurtis Hill Footpath. This was completed during the summer of 2001 but discussions have taken place with a representative of local residents in Hurtis Hill about improving safety. A site meeting has been held between myself and Highways and contact with Hurtis HIl residents will be made shortly to discuss what affordable action may be possible to implement in order to reduce speed in the vicinity ; it may require joint funding/partnership working from both Crowborough own Council and ESCC Updated 31st December 2003
|
|
A26 Beacon Road traffic calming scheme by The Woodlands / Crowborough Beacon Golf Club. This stretch of road has suffered many accidents in recent years and much effort has been made in the past by many people to get something done. Following a petition to the County Council organised by The Chairman of one of The Woodlands’ committees and me, resulting in the first ever presentation to the County Council’s newly formed Cabinet the case was proven and approved. It is continuing to progress with detailed design plans being drawn up and negotiations taking place with the Golf Club over acquiring a small strip of land to enable road widening at one point. As the strip of land is Common Land, it had to go through the Compulsory Purchase route which delayed progress by 4 or 5 months but work is now planned to start in mid February 2004 and could take about 8 weeks to complete. Updated on 31st December 2003
|
|
A26 stretch of road between Mill Lane and The Cross Traffic speed is a major problem along Beacon Road and there have been a series of accidents including a fatality in the last 24 months or so with pets being killed also from time to time. The new hi-tech Interactive speed limit sign piloted as one of three throughout the County has proved its effectiveness in reducing traffic speed. This has been located within the 30mph zone just beyond Mill Lane and warns traffic exceeding 30mph travelling towards The Cross. The sign - which uses radar to measure the speed of approaching vehicles - visually reminds drivers that speed restrictions apply and they have failed to slow down. Results show that slower speeds have been achieved here and on many roads in different parts of the Country and my own experience and observations in Norfolk support those findings. Although the 'pilot' sign in Beacon Road has proved effective, it will be retained for a further 3years to assess the impact on accident reduction. Updated 31st December 2003
|
|
Blackness Road. Local residents approached me about excessive traffic speed. There were no substantive records at Highways relating to speeding along the road between the Luxford Lane junction and the Wolfe Recreation Ground but I worked with residents to investigate a case for traffic calming. A petition was presented by me to the County Council on behalf of local residents resulting in the Representative from Blackness Road and me presenting a case for some form of traffic calming. This case was strengthened due to a personal injury accident that occurred a few months beforehand and was accepted by the Cabinet Member as justifying inclusion in next year's Traffic Calming Assessment process. In the meantime, temporary 'Slow Down' signs were put up either side of the Wolfe Recreation Ground. It must always be remembered that it is drivers that speed and traffic calming can sometimes make a difference but its effect is variable and costly. Funding for traffic calming is desperately short at present but that does not mean people should not bring issues to the County’s attention. My view is that it is better to be formally listed on even a very long waiting list than not appearing on one at all. People should do what they believe is right – very occasionally, circumstances develop in such a way that schemes that appear to be most unlikely suddenly fall into place; Hurtis Hill footpath is a good if not unusual example. Updated 17th July 2002
|
Lordswell Lane / Southview Road junction. Modifications to this junction were linked to a planning application for a new house in the grounds of Spring Cottage in Lordswell Lane. The junction alterations were being supported by ESCC as it was believed by them that it would improve safety but there was a great deal of adverse reaction from local residents who disagreed and have made their objections known both to the County Council (Highways Authority) and Wealden District Council (Planning Authority).Other Wealden District Councilors who represent West Ward residents became involved, the WDC Planning Committee turned down the planning application, it was referred to the Planning Inspectorate and some months later it was announced that the decision not to grant planning permission should stand Updated 17th July 2002 Additional information about traffic calming and work related to Crowborough’s Local Transport Plan can be seen under the Local Transport Plans page. |