Issue - meetings
Response to petition against the removal of traffic signals on the North circular Road
Meeting: 27/07/2011 - Highways Committee (Item 6)
6 Response to petition against the removal of traffic signals on the North circular Road PDF 373 KB
This report informs members of a petition entitled “North Circular Road – Push Button Signal Removal.” The report outlines officer’s investigations into the matter and describes the dialogue between officers and Transport for London (TfL) which has the responsibility for the North Circular Road (NCR) including the operation of the traffic signals.
Decision:
(i) that the contents of the petition and the issues raised be noted;
(ii) that the course of action taken by officers in relation to the issue be noted;
(iii) that having given consideration to the petition and the action taken by officers, the Head of Transportation be instructed to request TfL to undertake a safety audit in the winter months and to request their future plans for the junction of NCR and Brentfield Road.
Minutes:
Members considered a report that informed them about a petition entitled “North Circular Road – Push Button Signal Removal” and outlined officer’s investigations into the matter. The report also described the dialogue between officers and Transport for London (TfL) which has the responsibility for the North Circular Road (NCR) including the operation of the traffic signals.
Tim Jackson, Head of Transportation in setting the background to the decision by TfL informed members that the A406 North Circular Road (NCR) was a red route and as such formed part of Transport for London’s Road Network (TLRN). TfL were the Highway Authority for the road and operated all traffic signals across London and whilst the Council could raise concerns about NCR, it could not take any direct action regarding it. He understood that TfL’s decision was in response to the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy and direction to look at ways of smoothing traffic flow which would mean less stop-start traffic movement, more predictable journey times and fewer obstacles for pedestrians. The traffic signal in question was 1of 145 signals identified across London for removal on the grounds that the demand for it was low and that it did not conform to the Department of Transport regulations. He reported that works to permanently remove the traffic signal had been suspended pending the outcome of this meeting and updated members on the results of officers’ observations following the petition and the dialogue with TfL on the decommissioning of the traffic lights.
Tim Jackson added that although TfL recognised the concerns expressed by the businesses it appeared they were unwilling to change their minds on the grounds that the traffic lights did not conform to the current regulations and standards of the Department of Transport, the frequency of demand and use of the traffic lights and that the push button signal was unsafe. In view of that he did not consider further involvement of officers’ time and resources would be desirable.
Whilst acknowledging that TfL were unlikely to change their minds, Councillor Long requested that safety audit into the proposal be carried out in the winter months when the days were shorter. In addition she requested that TfL be asked to indicate their plans for the North Circular Road/Brentfield Road junction where there could be opportunities to smooth traffic flows. The recommendations in the report were then agreed subject to the comments made by Councillor Long.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the contents of the petition and the issues raised be noted;
(ii) that the course of action taken by officers in relation to the issue be noted;
(iii) that having given consideration to the petition and the action taken by officers, the Head of Transportation be instructed to request TfL to undertake a safety audit in the winter months and to also request their future plans for the junction of NCR and Brentfield Road.