Plumpton Village Action Plan- Road Safety Team

 

The “strategy” – how to get to a proposal to reduce speeding and improve safety in the village

 

 

Stage 1: Information gathering

Stage 2: Develop several options

Stage 3: Present options to the village community

Stage 4: Develop recommendation / proposal for favourite option

 

 

 

Stage 1: Information gathering

an unbiased collection of all the facts.

 

1a Traffic calming measures 

Purpose: to collect all the relevant facts regarding Traffic Calming Measures (TCM) both physical and non-physical.

 

Method: to research key facts about each measure, including any available comparisons of the various methods, any evidence of success or failure in other places, lessons learned etc..

Must include legal requirements and whether the measure needs street lighting or not.

 

Ideally should include a rough cost (include cost of street lighting if required).

 

 

Sources of information:

·        Internet,

·        Printed literature, (which must include Department of Transport guidance and Traffic Advisory Leaflets as this sets out the national policy and legal framework)

·        Plumpton Parish Council and  Highways committee – work done so far,

·        Meet with other parish councils,

·        Meet with Highways representatives/ Lewes District Council.

 

Outcome:

A ring-binder “fact-file” containing one TCM fact sheet per measure (see appendix 1), plus any other useful information obtained, plus “minutes” of any meetings with other councils.

 

 

 

1b: Understand the problem  

Purpose: to define the areas where speeding is a problem in the village, and prioritise them.

 

Method / sources

·        Develop a “map” of the village to show accidents and near misses.

·        Use SID to collect speeding statistics

·        Identify problem areas

Real – with evidence

Perceived – anecdotes, stories, VAP questionnaire

·        Also identify gaps in the evidence base and options for addressing this

     

Outcome:

A list of problem areas, prioritised.

 

 

 

Stage 2: Develop several options 

 

Purpose: to develop several options, for calming the traffic.

 

Sources/method

This needs to be discussed as a whole group, by looking at all the information. This would need to be done by one or several “workshop” style meetings.

Must  take into account any non-physical methods such as education and “voluntary slow down scheme“, and any progress made on reducing speed limit on outskirts of village.

Must also consider the items from P1 (parking outside the shop) and E6 (pavement from shop to village green).

 

Outcome

Several written options, each with a cost/benefit analysis.

One option would be the ideal solution based on funds being available, then there would be several alternative, cheaper options and/or a phased approach (possibly trying cheap alternatives first to see how they work).

Plus, some idea of the likely funding options required for each.

 

 

Stage 3: Present options to the village community

 

Purpose: present the options to the village residents to gauge feelings about the various methods.

 

Method: To be agreed; some ideas

 

Mailing to each house (questionnaire)

Presentation in village hall (vote afterwards)

Article in Village magazine

 

Outcome

      The preferred solution(s) as chosen by the village

 

Stage 4: Develop recommendation / proposal for favourite option

 

Formal Proposal to Steering group/ Parish Council, probably backed up with a more substantial document (Business-Case style)

 

Likely headings in report

 

Summary of problem

Options available (with cost, benefit, risk)

Chosen solution/recommendation

Cost and how it will be funded.

Timescale

People-power and other resources required

 

 

 

           

*Parallel activity: Investigate Funding options 

 

Purpose:

We should understand and investigate all funding options which might be available to us

 

Sources/method

Look at mechanisms for obtaining funds, and likely amounts from:-

Fundraising activities

Asking every household for a contribution

Grants from Highways Agency or other bodies

Raising the council tax

Etc.

 

Outcome

A summary of findings, likely maximum amount obtainable and what’s required to get it.

 

 


APPENDIX 1:  TCM FACT SHEET

 

NAME OF TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURE:

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

 

 

 

AN EXAMPLE FOUND LOCALLY:

 

 

 

IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:

(STREET LIGHTS?)

 

 

 

ADVANTAGES:

 

 

 

 

 

DISADVANTAGES:

 

 

 

 

 

EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS:

 

 

 

 

 

APPROX COST:

 

 

 

 

PROCESS REQUIRED TO INSTALL: