South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) looks set to plough ahead with the implementation of a raft of additional traffic calming measures on Stoke Lane despite a public consultation showing majority opposition to every aspect of the advertised scheme.
However, proposals to install an additional speed table on Little Stoke Lane and extend the existing 20mph speed limit on that road have been abandoned.
The overall scheme spanning Stoke Lane and Little Stoke Lane was opposed by 53 percent of the 130 respondents.
A proposed additional speed table on Stoke Lane, between the junctions with Shellmor Avenue and Amberley Road was opposed by 63 percent of respondents, but will nonetheless be implemented, along with new speed cushions at other locations.
Similarly, the creation of an extended 20mph zone covering the full length of Stoke Lane and all associated side roads will go ahead, despite being opposed by 52 percent of respondents.
The scheme as originally proposed is intended to “help reduce speeds and improve road safety”, particularly for school children walking from Patchway Community School and the following primary schools: Holy Family, St Chad’s, Stoke Lodge and Little Stoke.
Outlining future plans, a feedback report published on 21st January (more than six months after the consultation closed) states:
“The initial consultation was carried out to inform the local community about the proposed speed limit and additional traffic calming measures, and to ensure that their comments and concerns are considered at an early stage. Following a meeting with the local members from Stoke Gifford and Bradley Stoke North, it was decided that Little Stoke Lane would be removed from the scheme and, with support from the Bradley Stoke North member, Stoke Lane would continue to the next stage. The 20mph zone now will be concentrated around Stoke Lane and reduced traffic calming will be installed only on Stoke Lane.”
The next step is for SGC is to formally advertise a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the revised proposals. Subject to there being no objections, the council says it plans to start work on the scheme shortly after the TRO has been signed and sealed, which is “anticipated to be in 2020”. This timeframe means that the work could overlap with the 8-month-long full closure of Gipsy Patch Lane, which is expected to result in greatly increased traffic flows along Stoke Lane.
An officer comment in the report makes it clear that Stoke Lane will need to be closed during implementation of the traffic calming scheme. The comment then seemingly dismisses the potential for this to result in serious traffic congestion by adding that “the [official] diversion route for Gipsy Patch Lane does not direct traffic onto Little Stoke Lane [and by implication, Stoke Lane]”.
This article originally appeared in the March 2020 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine (on page 10). The magazine is delivered FREE, nine times a year, to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
As per normal south glos council go through the motions of consultation as a matter of formality as they have already made there minds up on what they are going to do with the result in favour of the residence why bother going through this process wasting tax payers money time and time again probably costs another £20000.00 to alter signs and road marking surely this money could be spent on something more important just like rabbit round which should of had three lanes in the first place when it was altered 2 years ago so they end up ripping out kerbs and hardcore tarmac which tax payers have paid for and doing all again you could make it up