Please note that the 'construction' timeframe under 'Stages' above is merely notional for the time being as the programme of work has yet to be published by our contractor.
Description
The scheme aims to design and implement a road safety project throughout the village of Forton Heath, including measures to reduce the speed limit, improve signage and road markings and add provision of solar-powered vehicle-activated signs.
Location
Forton Road, Forton Heath. Grid ref: 343397, 316767 and 343673, 317690 and 344035, 317813.
What3words Ref: ///spud.rushed.blanked, ///margin.pockets.calendars and ///float.blueberry.touchy
On target?
Yes.
Map
Please note that construction work undertaken can often cover an area rather than one specific place, so the pin on the map on this page is intended as a guide only.
Correspondence history
All relevant correspondence relating to this piece of work will be included here:
April 2024
At present, the proposals have been shared with the police and the council’s internal Traffic Engineering team, with both parties agreeing with the principle of the scheme – but there remains a minor disagreement over the feasibility of pursuing further measures during this opportunity. While further measures would be ideal in some cases, consideration must be paid to the site constraints and layout, and any ongoing maintenance costs of additional assets. I am confident that this final matter will be resolved shortly, at which point we will progress to advertising the Traffic Regulation Order to change the speed limit.
I should take this opportunity to impress that despite it being our intention to change the speed limit as an integral part of this proposal, the process requires a public consultation where the public and local interest groups (police, local businesses, Freight Association etc) will be invited to submit expressions of objection or support. Depending on the outcome of this public consultation, a final decision will then be made whether to proceed with the proposal as advertised, revise the design following any appropriate comments, or abandon it entirely (if it really does not enjoy any support), therefore at this stage I cannot guarantee that the proposed speed limits will be delivered as planned.
As requested, I have attached the proposal for your review. As noted previously, I would impress that these plans may be slightly altered to account for any further measures at the request of the police. Following investigations, the proposed scheme includes the following components:
- Revise the speed limit:
- Introduce a length of 50mph limit on the approach to the village;
- Introduce a length of 40mph limit through the village’s extents;
- Introduce a length of 50mph limit on the approach to the village;
- Revise the existing signage
- Remove signage that has been deemed unnecessary to the streetscene;
- Install repeater signs to emphasise speed limits;
- Install new yellow-backed signage, including Give Way signs at junctions;
- Install larger Chicane signage to emphasise sharp bend;
- Remove signage that has been deemed unnecessary to the streetscene;
- Revise road markings
- Change centre markings to be in accordance with revised speed limits;
- Introduce edge of carriageway markings to encourage better driver behaviour;
- Introduce new yellow bus cages at sites where school buses load and unload children;
- Install Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) within the village extents to encourage considerate speeds;
- Change centre markings to be in accordance with revised speed limits;
The Parish did request further measures, including Village Gates and a 30mph speed limit, but unfortunately after review neither were deemed appropriate due to the site constraints.
15 April 2024
Dear Councillor Harmer,
Thank you for your email and initial comments on the proposal.
As part of this proposal, a number of components were assessed against a range of criteria, including feasibility, maintenance and expected impact. Amongst the components considered for the possible application were coloured surfacing and village gates. Unfortunately, after careful consideration, neither were deemed appropriate to implement as part of this scheme.
Coloured Surfacing
As I’m sure you’ll be aware, Shropshire Council does implement coloured surfacing material to emphasise a change in the nature of the road, mainly when entering a village / town, reiterate a message (e.g. speed or SLOW markings) or a hazard (such as a sharp bend). However, despite their benefits to highway users, it is recognised that they are particularly susceptible to wearing away and discolouring – furthermore, due to their application as a surface layer treatment (being applied on the top of the road surface) they usually cause secondary weakness to the surrounding carriageway. For these reasons, Shropshire Council exercises its due diligence when considering any requests for their application on the public highway. On this occasion, it was concluded that due to the nature of the road and type of usage by motorised traffic, this asset would quickly deteriorate and become an ongoing issue for maintenance.
Village Gates
I remember from our meeting that you and Councillor Cowley were both keen advocates for their inclusion within the design. Unfortunately, due to the reduced widths of the grass verges on the southernly access to the village, there are no areas with the appropriate widths to accommodate these village gates. The only location that was identified as potentially having the required widths is outside the property ‘Mytton Grange’, however, the problem installing a village gate at this location is the distance from the main body of the village – village gates need to emphasise the immediacy of the boundary, which is not possible at this location.
Whereas, in contrast to the situation in the south, there is ample space on the northernly access to the village for a village gate. However, without a village gate installed on the southernly access to be paired with, the concern is that this village gate would be ineffective as it would likely be perceived to be in isolation (as opposed to delineating a boundary).
I appreciate that this will be disappointing news, but it is hoped that the proposed ‘Dragons Teeth’ and Verge Marker posts would fulfil those expectations whilst meeting the assessment criteria.
Kindest regards,
Jon Eastwood
May 2024
1/ Proposals now approved by police and council officers, shared with local member and parish group for their feedback.
Contact
Please contact cilproject@shropshire.gov.uk with any comments or queries.
Please note that all queries the teams receive along with the responses will be uploaded onto the portal to provide updated information for everyone. Please don't include any personal or sensitive information as this will need to be redacted.