Agenda item

Inquiry Finalisation: Consideration of outstanding matters

To examine the remaining areas of interest, as identified by members, ahead of the finalisation of the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry into the prevention of deaths and injuries on the road.

 

Those areas of interest were identified as:

-  School crossing patrols

-  Pedestrian Crossing Criteria

-  School streets

 

Background information pertaining to each of those areas is appended as detailed below.

 

Appended Information

 

Appendix 1: School Crossing Patrol Guidelines (2018)

 

Appendix 2 A-C: School Crossings Survey

 

Appendix 3: Traffic Signal Operation Report (February 2021)

 

Appendix 4: 2019 Scrutiny Report Pedestrian Crossing Review

 

Appendix 5: Pedestrian Crossing Framework

 

Appendix 6: School Streets Trial Phase 2 Recommendations Report

 

Appendix 7: School Streets Trial report appendices

 

Appendix 8: School Streets Local Plans

Minutes:

The Report of the Head of Democratic Services set out the progress to date with the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry into the prevention of death and serious injury on the roads.

 

It was noted that Board members had identified three areas of outstanding interest following the completion of a draft inquiry report:

 

-  School crossing patrols

-  Pedestrian Crossing Criteria

-  School Streets

 

The following were in attendance for this item:

 

-  Cllr Hayden (Executive Member)

-  Richard Jackson (Head of Service)

-  Joel Dodsworth (UTMC Manager)

-  Lynsey McGarvey (Principal Transport Planner)

 

It was noted that Nick Hunt (Traffic Engineering Manager) was unable to attend the meeting as anticipated.

 

Officers were invited to introduce the items relevant to their respective areas.

 

School Crossing Controls

 

Richard Jackson outlined the process for assessing applications for school crossing patrols, noting that the Council applies criteria in line with national policy in order to determine where resources will – or will not - be allocated. 

 

He further noted the steps that can be taken to assess physical interventions that may be possible should an application not be successful.

 

Members of the Board discussed the cost of school crossing patrols, the number of requests over the last year, the number of vacant posts and the steps taken to address long standing challenges with regards to recruitment to these posts.

 

Members of the Board were informed that schools can now pay for the school crossing patrol service if they do not meet the criteria.

 

Members discussed the accessibility of information about how to submit a request to the service and details of how schools can pay for the service where an application is not successful.

 

It was recommended that the service should work more closely with the Influencing Travel Behaviour team to consider ways in which additional support could be provided to schools where an application for a crossing patrol is unsuccessful. It was suggested this should include options for training and education.

 

Members of the Scrutiny Board discussed the process for replacing patrol officers upon retirement.

 

The challenge of tackling poor parking around schools was discussed. 

 

Pedestrian Crossing Criteria

 

Joel Dodsworth confirmed that the process for evaluation of new formal pedestrian crossing requests remains the same as that considered by the Scrutiny Board in 2019 and set out in the appended report in the name of the Director of City Development (appendix 4).

 

The Scrutiny Board considered the new technology that is being introduced at crossings throughout Leeds, which prioritises pedestrians and provides greater clearance time to better reflect average walking speeds.

 

It was noted that changes in the technology used at pedestrian crossings, such as near side displays rather than traditional far side displays, is anticipated to promote inclusivity.  

 

Members were advised that in some areas of the city new infrastructure has been put in place but sites will need to be revisited to install additional software.

 

The Scrutiny Board discussed ways in which dangerous cycling can be addressed, the cost of technology used at new crossings and the advantages and disadvantages of countdown timers.

 

The Scrutiny Board requested that a review of accident statistics at pedestrian crossings be carried out once new technology has been installed, and that the results of that review be provided to the Scrutiny Board.

 

School Streets

 

Lynsey McGarvey updated the Board on the outcome of an 18-month trial of ‘School Streets,’ which began in 2020. As set out in the appended paper in the name of the Principal Transport Planner, the Highways department recommended that all but two of the Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders should be replaced with permanent Traffic Regulation Orders.  

 

Lynsey McGarvey advised the Board that a full evaluation of the trial is underway to identify additional learning that can inform the approach to future school streets.

 

The Board discussed matters including:

-  Increases in active travel at schools involved in the trial.

-  Potential future funding for additional school streets via WYCA.

-  Stakeholder feedback and the need for local support from key stakeholders.

-  Limited options for enforcement in areas outside of London, with regulations currently requiring engagement from the Roads Policing Unit.

-  The future role of education and training to support the introduction of school streets.

-  The importance of understanding existing challenges with local parking behaviours, which could impact on the successful introduction of school streets.

-  The potential to introduce school streets during development or expansion works.

-  The process for making an application to be considered for a new school street.

-  The pressures on school staff who need to physically set up the school street, especially where a road has multiple entry points.

 

The Scrutiny Board expressed its broad support for the continuation of the school streets process but reiterated the importance of securing local support for new streets and working to influence changes in poor parking behaviours.

 

RESOLVED – That the following recommendations be incorporated into the final inquiry report, which is to be brought back to the Board for formal approval at the start of the new municipal year:

-  The Passenger Transport team to work more closely with the Influencing Travel Behaviour Team to assess options to provide additional support to schools where an application for a school crossing patrol is unsuccessful.

-  To consider increasing the visibility of information on the Council’s website about the process to apply for a school crossing patrol and the details of how to pay for that service if the application is unsuccessful.

-  The results of a review of accident statistics at pedestrian crossings to be provided to the Scrutiny Board to understand the impact of changing technology.

 

The Scrutiny Board further noted the support of its members for the wider roll out of the school streets programme.

Supporting documents: