Petitions
Tuesday 9 March 2010
Observations
Transport
Station Footbridge Repair
The Petition of Residents of Watchet and others,
Declares that the footbridge at Watchet station is closed at present, because it is unsafe to use; declares that the closure is seriously inconvenient to residents and could endanger safety; further declares that there is a risk that the footbridge at Watchet station will be lost permanently, because insufficient funds are available for its safe repair and maintenance.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take steps to assist and encourage the West Somerset district council to repair the footbridge as soon as possible.
And the Petitioners remain, etc. -[Presented by Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger , Official Report, 24 February 2010; Vol. 506, c. 418 .]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
West Somerset district council has responsibility for this bridge and closed it following a safety inspection in October 2009.
I understand that the council has sought a suitable contractor to carry out repairs on the bridge to make it safe for public use. It sent out details of the work to seven potential contractors and received back only one bid which was beyond the budget available. Council officials have recently met with the bidder to seek to explore options to resolve the matter and expect to report back to the council in the next two months.
Traffic Calming (Irchester)
The Humble Petition of Residents of Irchester; Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas.
Sheweth that there is a problem with speeding traffic through Irchester, welcomes the efforts of local councillors, council officers and the police in devising road calming measures; that the Petitioners support the mini roundabout, the vehicle-activated signs, the police enforcement scheme and other measures; but that the Petitioners have reservations about the chicanes on the Wollaston Road; and notes that a survey of 543 people showed that the majority wanted revised traffic calming in Wollaston Road.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to request that Northamptonshire County Council in conjunction with the Borough Council of Wellingborough and Irchester Parish Council, review the chicanes in Wollaston Road to see whether alternative or revised traffic calming measures are necessary.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c. -[Presented by Mr. Peter Bone , Official Report, 2 March 2010; Vol. 506, c. 917 .]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
Wollaston Road is a local road for which Northamptonshire County Council is responsible as local highway authority. It is for the Council to decide in consultation with the local community which measures are best suited to satisfy the requirements of local schemes.
The primary legislation governing traffic calming is contained in sections 90A to 90F of the Highways Act 1980 (as amended by the Transport Act 1981). The Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999 prescribe the dimensions of road humps, and the Highways (Traffic Calming) Regulations 1999 prescribe a list of traffic calming features.
The Department for Transport's technical guidance on traffic calming Local Transport Note (LTN): 1/07 Traffic Calming gives advice on the design and installation of all types of traffic calming.
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