I wasn't much taken with the "nanny-knows-best" TfL-speak responses to the points made in the consultation. I suspect that many are standard answers that are chugged out to comply with a box-ticking procedure for the consultation exercise. :The removal of the footbridge may result in children / pedestrians being injured when crossing the roadIt is agreed that if the footbridge were to be removed there would be an increased risk to road users as the crossing provision would change from no conflict to some conflict. However, there are many traffic signals all over London and they are generally very safe to use providing they are used in the correct manner.---------------------------------------------------------------------The installation of the toucan crossing may result in children / pedestrians running across the road and being injuredThere are many of these traffic signals all over London and they are generally very safe to use providing they are used in the correct manner.------------------------------------------------The new signals at the proposed new toucan crossing will create additional traffic on the A316Traffic simulation modelling has shown that there will be minimal impact on traffic queues and times at the roundabout and along the A316.----------------------------------------------------There will be conflict between pedestrian and cyclists on shared pathwaysShared footway is one of the only effective ways to allow cyclists to access toucan crossing facilities without having to dismount or go across a pedestrian only area. Public highway users are expected to be conscious of others and to use the highway in a safe manner.---------------------------------------------------------------The consultation distribution area was too smallOne aim of the consultation was to make sure that the local community were able to provide views on the proposals. We received over 1000 replies to the consultation and believe the views expressed in the exercise are the views of the community.------------------------------------------------------------There was not enough information in the consultation materialThe consultation material contained information about our proposals and why we were proposing them. Following requests for further information, additional material was added to the consultation website.----------------------------------------------------------Keep the footbridge and install the toucan crossingAs part of the consultation process and in view of the responses received, consideration will be given to the option to keep the footbridge and install an at-grade crossing------------------------------------------------------------------------Motorists may jump the lights at the proposed toucan crossing putting pedestrians in dangerMotorists are expected to use the highway in a safe manner. Prior to installing any crossing, TfL will consider the merits of the individual site to ensure that motorists can clearly see the light in all weather conditions and at all times. If motorists are jumping red lights, then this would be down to the police to enforce. However, if required, red cameras are also installed in some cases.------------------------------------------------------------Children may run across the road when the green man is about to end on the new toucan crossingAll highway users in general are expected to use the road in a safe manner. This means ensuring that they do not cross when there is a red man. An adult / guardian is expected to be with those children who are not fully trained to use an at grade crossing facility alone. In addition, road safety training is available for schoolsConcerns about the safety of students of St Stephens’s school which is located adjacent to the roundabout and pedestrian footbridgeAn adult / guardian is expected to be with those children who are not fully trained to use an at grade crossing facility alone. In addition, road safety training is available for schoolsConcerns about the safety of cyclists using the new proposed toucan crossingAt the moment, cyclists / vulnerable users do not have an Equalities Act fully accessible crossing facility across the western arm of St. Margaret’s roundabout. The provision of a new toucan crossing will allow cyclists to get across by using an accessible facility, which, if used properly, will be safe.-----------------------------------------------------Cycling facilities on the A316 should be improvedAs part of TfL’s continuous programme to improve cycling facilities within London, the A316 will continue to benefit from improvements to cycling facilities-------------------------------------------------------------------------What other options were consideredThe following options were considered:Footbridge refurbishmentFootbridge replacement (no designs undertaken but it was almost certain that TfL does not own all of the land required to allow the provision of a fully accessible bridge)Footbridge decommissioning and provision of a surface level crossing------------------------------------------------------------Concerns about the safety of elderly people at the proposed toucan crossingAt the moment, cyclists/ vulnerable users do not have an Equalities Act fully accessible crossing facility across the western arm of St. Margaret’s roundabout. The provision of a new toucan crossing will allow vulnerable users to get across by using an accessible facility, which, if used properly, will be safe.-----------------------------------------------------------------Would people with mobility issues be safe using the proposed new toucan crossingYes. Providing the facility is used properly and users cross when the green man signal is shown, then it is considered as a safe facility.----------------------------------------------------Concerns about the impact the new crossing will have on the environmentAs part of the impact assessment process, an environmental impact assessment was undertaken. This showed that the impact of the new facility on air and noise would be negligible.--------------------------------------------------------The footbridge is highly used, are you aware of how many users there are, were anystudies carried outWe carried out a Pedestrian Survey on 21 July to see how many people currently use the footbridge. Between the hours of 08:00 and 10:00 there were 237 users and between 14:30 and 17:00 there were 192 users. We also looked at how many people use the existing crossing located on the eastern arm of St Margaret’s roundabout. There were 468 people that used the crossing between the hours of 08:00 and 10:00 and 386 users of the crossing between 14:30 and 17:00.---------------------------------------------------------------Road safety on the A316 needs to be improved furtherTfL continuously monitors road safety collisions along all of its roads. Where required, remedial measures are considered to address issues.
Tim Henderson ● 3859d