Agenda item

·  Deputation request – Melbourne Grove Traffic Action Group.

The community council received a deputation from Melbourne Grove Traffic Action Group.

Ros Atkins, spokesperson for the Melbourne Grove Traffic Action group addressed the meeting and presented data and provided information on a local survey which suggested that the traffic situation in Melbourne Grove was a major concern for residents that lived on Melbourne Grove, some of whom were present at the meeting.

The main concerns that were expressed at the meeting were speeding motorists, citing that this road was being used as a rat run and that this was causing safety concerns particularly for children and older people. The spokesperson stated following a local consultation which was undertaken by residents, the information gathered showed that 90% of respondents in the neighbouring streets were in favour of traffic calming measures (potentially a barrier) on Melbourne Grove.

The deputation also presented a petition that contained 138 signatures from local residents.  It was outlined that in signing the petition, residents of Melbourne Grove, south of East Dulwich Grove requested that the council place a barrier across their street at a point between the junctions with Tell Grove and Ashbourne Grove.

The deputation outlined that there should be better speed limit signage and other speed calming measures available to the council to consider as alternatives. The deputation referred to police data, which outlined that 76% of vehicles were speeding along Melbourne Grove. In addition the spokesperson stated that there were two new schools which would be located in the area – causing more traffic congestion on the roads. It was suggested by the deputation that having a barrier would be the quickest, cheapest and most effective way to resolve this problem.  

During questions  a local resident referred to previous traffic surveys that were conducted on Melbourne Grove and those surveys outlined that there were no major traffic implications that needed addressing at the time. Members of the community council mentioned that any proposals for a barrier on Melbourne Grove could cause some displacement for the neighbouring streets like Townley Road.  Members felt it was important to explore all options – e.g. better signage, introduction of a 20 mph zone and that if a barrier was considered, that it would be on a trial basis.

At this point members further debated on the issue and proposed that the following motion below:

RESOLVED:

That the community council agreed that the council should undertake a traffic study (allocation of £10k from the cleaner greener safer funding for a study) in order to evaluate the correct option for Melbourne Grove taking into account neighbouring roads – Townley Road, Ashbourne Grove and Chesterfield Road.