UPDATE - Overdale Schools Safer Routes Project
UPDATE OCTOBER 2008
The highways department has agreed to start afresh, and appointed a more experienced lead officer to the Overdale Schools Safer Routes Scheme.
If you wish to contribute views towards the design and be kept up to date please contact Graham Seaton at Highways (graham.seaton@leicester.gov.uk).
The approach will rely less on blanket application of road calming (speed humps, mini roundabouts, junction tables) though some may be required. It will apply 20mph zones to best effect. It will also include controlled pedestrian crossings where they are wanted and offer a solution to safety problems (previously they ad been ruled out).
"I believe we have a major breakthrough in achieving change that will be not only acceptable to, but welcomed by the vast majority of pupils, parents and local residents." (Ross Grant)
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2008
- New approach and lead officer
- People focused design - working with pupils, parents, residents
- Less "hard" civil engineering
- Controlled pedestrian crossings back on the table
The highways department has agreed to start afresh, and appointed a more experienced lead officer to the Overdale Schools Safer Routes Scheme.
If you wish to contribute views towards the design and be kept up to date please contact Graham Seaton at Highways (graham.seaton@leicester.gov.uk).
The approach will rely less on blanket application of road calming (speed humps, mini roundabouts, junction tables) though some may be required. It will apply 20mph zones to best effect. It will also include controlled pedestrian crossings where they are wanted and offer a solution to safety problems (previously they ad been ruled out).
"I believe we have a major breakthrough in achieving change that will be not only acceptable to, but welcomed by the vast majority of pupils, parents and local residents." (Ross Grant)
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2008
- No progress by Department
- No progress towards safer roads for children
- No progress for local residents
The news from the Highway Department is that there is no news.
Having threatened Councillors over Corporate Manslaughter legislation is the scheme was stalled the officer responsible has been allocated to other projects, and no work is being done on the options for Overdale School.
As your local representactives, Cllrs Grant and Bayford are seeking an acceptable solution to make local roads safer without detriment to local residents.
- Consultation began in Spring 2007
- Solution relies on speed humps
- No pedestrian crossings
In the Spring 2007 the Highways Department began consultation locally on it's proposals to introduce a scheme around the Overdale Schools (Infant & Primary). The scheme has received much criticism and opposition locally because it relies so heavily on speed humps and does not address many of the concerns of parents.
As the initial proposals were not well received the Highways Department was required to undertake work looking at the large amount of feedback it received. It has subsequently decided to second the only officer looking at the scheme away to other projects and at the October Area Committee admitted there was no-one working on the scheme; for this reason feedback is still being accepted.
There is a need for the Highways Department to seriously look at the feedback from residents and parents and to incorporate their comments into the design. Many parents are keen for there to be pedestrian crossings, but these are being rules out at present by officers.
Cllrs Ross Grant and Andy Bayford will be working hard to ensure that the Highways Department is more responsive to local needs and that sensible proposals are brought back without undue delay.