Proposed Speed Table

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Infrastructure Services
REPORT TO FORMARTINE AREA COMMITTEE – 1 SEPTEMBER 2015
PROPOSED SPEED TABLE IN PARK CRESCENT/ALBERT TERRACE
JUNCTION, OLDMELDRUM
1
Recommendations
It is recommended that the Committee:1.1 Approve the proposed Speed Table in Park Crescent Albert Terrace
junction, Oldmeldrum as shown in Drawing No. 8/M/9/R/1 Rev A,
1.2 Authorise the commencement of the statutory and public
consultations for the proposed Speed Table in Park Crescent/
Albert Terrace/ Albert Terrace junction, Oldmeldrum,
1.3 Instruct the submission of a further report to Committee in the
event that any valid objections received are not resolved and not
withdrawn, or the proposals are amended following consideration
of valid objections, and
1.4 Authorise the works to go ahead if no valid objections are received.
2
Background/Discussion
2.1
Aberdeenshire Council has received complaints from members of the public
regarding the speed of traffic in Park Crescent, in particular the safety concern
at Albert Terrace and the entrance/exit to the park/recreation ground.
2.2
Park Crescent is a straight road with residential properties to the west and
recreation ground to the east. The park/recreation ground is well utilised by
local residents; it has a tennis court, bowling green, picnic area and pavilion
which is usually used for meetings and social gatherings. In addition, every
August the park is also a venue for a vintage car rally, which attracts people
across Aberdeenshire.
2.3
As part of the town regeneration, a permanent 20mph speed limit has been
introduced recently in majority of the streets in Oldmeldrum, Albert Terrace
and Park Crescent included. However, the majority of traffic is not adhering to
it and travels well in excess of 20mph negating the road safety benefits of the
legal speed limit. As such physical measure is required to encourage drivers
to comply with the appropriate speed limit for the area.
2.4
Ward 8 (Mid Formartine) members have been consulted; Cllr Paul Johnston
and Cllr Allan Hendry are in agreement with the proposal.
2.5
Police Scotland have been consulted and fully supported the proposal.
2.6
During the initial consultation, one comment was received from Meldrum and
Bourtie Community Council supporting the proposal. They also advised that
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the park is used as a venue for vintage car annual rally event every August,
and seeking clarification whether the ramp’s on/off gradient of the proposed
speed table is suitable for vintage vehicles. An email was sent to Meldrum
and Bourtie Community Council confirming that the proposed speed table will
be built in accordance with the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1990.
The ramp’s on/off gradient is 1 in 15 and provided the traffic negotiates the
speed table at an appropriate speed this should have a minimum impact to
the passengers/drivers and this also applies to vintage cars. Cllr Paul
Johnston confirmed that the main access for the vintage vehicles is via the
pavilion car park (through Park Lane), and is of the opinion that fairground
trucks should have no problem driving over the proposed speed table.
2.7
The Head of Finance and the Monitoring Officer within Business Services
have been consulted and have no comments to make on the contents of this
report.
3
Equalities, Staffing and Financial Implications
3.1
An equality impact assessment is not required because the recommended
actions do not have a differential impact on people with protected
characteristics.
3.2
There are no specific staffing implications arising from this report.
3.3
The cost of implementing the Proposed Speed Cushion in Albert
Terrace/Park Crescent, Oldmeldrum is estimated at £15,000. This amount
can be accommodated within the 2015/2016 Capital Plan budget under
the Safety Initiatives line which has a budget of £496,000.
Stephen Archer
Director of Infrastructure Services
Report prepared by: Ian Daniels
Date: 11th August 2015
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