Traffic survey in Blackhall Colliery

Last year we asked the traffic management officer at Durham police to carry out a traffic survey on the A1086 along Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery and on towards St Joseph's RC Church to assess the extent of reported traffic issues in the village (please see post dated Sunday 23 October 2016 for background information).

We have received the results of the survey and we have published them below in full:

The A1086 looking south towards Chicken's Green and St Joseph's

Data from the speed surveys organised on the A1086 Middle Street through Blackhall Colliery within the 30 mph speed limit area:

David organised for a survey to be undertaken within the commercial area of Middle Street near to the Fifth Street junction and a survey to be undertaken near to the B1281 Hesleden Road junction.

By way of an overview the results of the speed surveys were as follows.

A1086 Middle Street Just south east of Fifth Street Junction

Date of Survey	Average Daily Traffic Flow	≤30	31-35	36-40	41-45	≥46	Mean Speed	85%ile Speed
03/11 – 10/11/16	10360	90%	8%	2%	0%	0%	24	28

(shaded area is percentage of vehicles within Police enforcement threshold)

A1086 Middle Street Just North west of B1281 Hesleden Road Junction

Date of Survey	Average Daily Traffic Flow	≤30	31-35	36-40	41-45	≥46	Mean Speed	85%ile Speed
15/11 – 22/11/16	12514	50%	36%	12%	2%	0%	29	34

(shaded area is percentage of vehicles within Police enforcement threshold)

A1086 Middle Street just south east of Fifth Street junction.

As can be seen from the speed survey data there is an excellent level of speed limit compliance with 90% of vehicles travelling within the 30 mph speed limit.

The average mean speed of vehicles was 24 mph (below the posted 30 mph speed limit).

Of the vehicles surveyed over the 7 day 24 hour period only 2% were found to be in our possible enforcement thresholds.

It is recognised that some of these vehicles, given the strategic importance of the route, may have been blue light vehicles so the figures for general excess speed will be lower but I am unable to quantify the extent of the blue light usage during the survey period.

The concerns around the speed of HGV’s here is fully appreciated, however, in recognising the concerns raised it is often the case that in a confined area such as this, the size and noise associated with HGV’s (especially if un-laden) often conspires to give the impression that they are travelling at speeds a lot higher than they actually are which appears to be the case here.

While appreciating the residential feel to the area, the road is an A class strategic road where we would hope that HGV’s used to pass through areas, rather than using inappropriate residential roads as a cut through.

Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to stop the use or increased use of the road by HGV traffic.

In respect of this area, based on the information to hand, at this time this is not a locality where we would consider any Police speed enforcement attention.

A1086 Middle Street just north west of B1281 Hesleden Road junction.

As can be seen from the speed survey data there is 50% compliance rate within the 30 mph speed limit.

The average mean speed was 29 mph (below the posted 30 mph speed limit).

Of the vehicles surveyed over the 7 day 24 hour period only 14% were found to be in our possible enforcement thresholds.

Again, it is recognised that some of these vehicles, given the strategic importance of the route, may have been blue light vehicles so the figures for general excess speed will be lower but I am unable to quantify the extent of the blue light usage during the survey period.

The results of the speed survey do not meet our escalation levels for a dedicated speed enforcement campaign by the Roads Policing Unit.

This said, while not meeting our escalation levels for specific attention by the Roads Policing Unit, the A1086 road including the section through Blackhall Rocks and Blackhall Colliery does feature as part of a Mobile Safety Camera enforcement route and we do have an identified deployment location outside the Aged Miners Homes opposite the access leading to St Josephs RCVA Primary School.

To date during 2016 the Safety Camera Deployments on this section of road have resulted in 177 drivers being dealt with either through offer of a Speed Awareness Course (168), Conditional Offer – fine/points (8) or straight to Court (1).

Given the local concerns in this matter I will request officers from our Mobile Safety Camera Unit continue to give the locality some attention when in the area.

Again while appreciating the concerns around the volume HGV’s unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to stop the use or increased use of the road by HGV traffic.

In addition I have also reviewed the accident record for this route during the period 01/01/13 to 30/11/16 which indicates no HGV’s involved in accidents and only one accident recorded involving excess speed. This accident occurred on 21/06/14 at 05:35 hours and involved a rear end shunt with a driver exceeding the speed limit and being under the influence of alcohol.

Northern Power Grid's street lighting programme in Blackhall Colliery

Further to our regular updates recently on a number of street lighting issues in Blackhall Colliery we have now received the following message relating to proposed street lighting upgrades to be carried out soon by Northern Power Grid (NPG).

NPG have now attached the lights not working back onto the old system so most of them should be back on. John has explained there will still be a few lights out but the majority should be working.

In the coming days and weeks NPG are carrying out upgrades to their lines which will cause a few issues for the lights attached to the lines affected by this work. This is NPG-led.

We will continue to monitor NPG's progress with their street lighting upgrade programme and we'll report on any significant developments as and when we are notified of them

Broadband in Hesleden, Castle Eden and Blackhall

For some time we have been reporting regularly on developments with the Digital Durham broadband roll-out programme, and especially on how it affects residents and businesses in our villages.

Last year we received a significant increase in the number of complaints and queries from local businesses and residents about delays to the roll-out of broadband provision in our area, especially in Hesleden, High Hesleden and Castle Eden but also in parts of Blackhall (please see posts dated Tuesday 27 September, Thursday 1 September, Sunday 31 July, Thursday 24 March & Monday 18 January 2016 for background information). 

Earlier this week we contacted the office of Grahame Morris MP to ask if they'd had any dealings with BT relating to the roll-out of broadband elsewhere in East Durham, and also to ask for any assistance they might be able to offer in joining us in persuading BT to accelerate their broadband roll-out programme in our villages.

We have received a response from Grahame's office confirming that they will make enquiries with the BT Head of Parliamentary Affairs to seek their assurances on progress as outlined above. We will report back on developments as soon as we receive an update.

Temporary road closure at Hurworth Burn

We have been advised of a temporary road closure at Hurworth Burn to allow for bridge renewal works scheduled to begin next month.

We have reproduced the network manager's notification below in full:

C24 Hurworth Burn

Temporary Road Closure Notice

The County Council intends to close to vehicular traffic from 7.30 am on Monday 6 February 2017 an 80 metre length of C24 Hurworth Burn Road between the entrance to the Hurworth Burn House west of the bridge and the access road to railway walk Car Park east of the bridge, Hurworth Burn.

The closure, which is being effected by means of Notice under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984,  is necessary to enable urgent safety netting renewal works to be undertaken which will probably take some 3 days (until 5.00 pm each day) to complete to be carried out to that length of road.

Throughout the period of closure an alternative route will be available to vehicular traffic during the closure from the western side of the closure from C24 Hurworth Burn Road at Trimdon Village, northerly via B1278 Salter’s Lane and turning south easterly along C22 Wingate Road through Deaf Hill onto B1280 to the junction with C24 to the eastern side of the closure, and vice versa.have been advised of a temporary road closure at Hurworth Burn to enable bridge works to begin next month.

Funding secured for traffic calming measures at Hazel Drive

Last year we reported that the residents of Hazel Drive in Hesleden had submitted a petition to the county council requesting that traffic calming measures be installed to tackle a reported problem of vehicles speeding through their street (please see posts dated Friday 14 October 2016 & Friday 21 October 2016 for background details).

At around the same time we also received requests from a number of residents in that area for dropped kerbs to be installed to allow for better access for wheelchair and pushchair users.

Rather than waste time waiting for the petition to go through the formal process at county hall we immediately asked highways officers to take a closer look at whether it would be possible to install dropped kerbs and traffic calming measures at this location. 

We were told that this could only go ahead if two conditions were fully met; firstly that a traffic survey and public consultation be carried out in the area to assess the need for traffic calming measures, and secondly on condition that we could secure the funding to carry out the works.

We are pleased to confirm that earlier this week we were told that we had been successful in securing the funding required for the works. All that remains to be done now is for the highways section to carry out the traffic survey in Hazel Drive to provide the evidence needed to commission the traffic calming measures required. 

Please note that traffic calming measures will only be installed if a need for them can be identified following assessment, and also if residents are in agreement on the specific location and type of works required. For information we have reproduced below the guidance we were given in October:

Dear Councillors

In response to your request for consideration of the provision of traffic calming for Hazel Drive in Hesleden, I can provide the following information. I should advise that there is a process we have to follow when considering requests for traffic calming. 

The first part of the process is to consider factual vehicle speed data – this is generally from speed surveys or information from the Police via Community Speed Watch activities.  Unfortunately we have not received a similar request previously or had complaints of vehicle speeds therefore I do not have any speed survey data which I could consider at this time.  Therefore I will arrange for survey work to be carried out to obtain this data. This data will then be analysed to determine the severity and extent of the issue. We also analyse any accident data from personal injury accidents to see if there are any particular causation factors which may influence the provision of a scheme. Once this has been done I will discuss the findings with you. This can usually take a month depending upon demands for surveys.

Assuming a scheme can be justified from the data analysis, we will then provide a draft scheme which should comply with the legal requirements for traffic calming provision. To give you an idea, initially I would envisage three humps on the main through road and a single one on the northern loop round the green.

The next stage is to prepare the necessary funding applications and seek approval. Unfortunately this part of the process can be lengthy (up to 3 months) depending upon when the board meetings are to consider/approve the applications.

A detailed design is then completed and this will be subject to consultation in accordance with the legal requirements. In addition to this we also consult with the residents who are likely to be affected by the scheme. The consultation period is a minimum of three weeks.  We then consider any objections we receive against the scheme and whether there are any measures or changes which can ease concerns. 

The next part of the process is to prepare reports seeking approvals to initiate the legal process. The proposed traffic calming scheme is then formally advertised and open to legal challenge.

If after all this there are outstanding objections which cannot be resolved, they will have to be reported to the Council’s Highways Committee which will consider the arguments. The Committee could require the scheme to be re-designed or abandoned if it is not approved.

Assuming approval of the scheme we are now at a position to place an order for the works to be constructed. The lead in time for this can be up to 2 months while a slot in the works programme is found and materials ordered.

I hope this information is useful and I can confirm that in accordance with your request I have commenced the process. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Traffic Assets Senior Engineer

Progress with the Hesleden War Memorial project

Yesterday morning the Blackhalls Local History Group and Monk Hesleden Parish Council held a second open day at Hesleden Methodist Chapel to finalise their plans to erect a war memorial in the village (please see posts dated Sunday 4 September 2016 & Sunday 15 January 2017 for background details).

Despite the cold, dull and damp weather there was a strong turnout from residents keen to give their views on where the memorial should be located. From a choice of five options there was one which stood out among the rest as the preferred option, and this was for the monument to be erected near to the eastern entrance to the village.

From the architect's plans this would mean that modifications would be made to the cemetery boundary fence to make room for the memorial, alongside a seating and garden area. This would allow for easy access, using land which already belongs to the parish council, and also make use of existing capacity in the cemetery grounds. The memorial would also be easily visible from the main road, in a prominent and appropriate location.

We have already secured the funding required for the memorial so all that remains now is for the parish council and local history group to finalise plans for its construction.

As soon as they are completed we will publish final plans showing the memorial in its preferred location. We will also update on progress at regular intervals.

Reports of dog fouling in Hesleden

Following a marked increase recently in reports of dog fouling in Hesleden we have asked the council to arrange for more neighbourhood warden patrols in the village.

Incidents of dog dirt being left behind have been reported in almost every part of the village recently, including the Haswell to Hart walkway, the playing fields at Hillcrest Place and the open grassed area between Church Street, Eden Cottages and East Terrace.

We have asked the council to have the environmental team clear up the worst affected areas and also consider any tried and tested forms of education and enforcement action to help prevent the problem becoming worse.

Ultimately though it is the responsibility of individual dog owners and walkers to ensure that they clean up after their pet. We would encourage everyone to play their part and keep the streets and open spaces of Hesleden clean for all to enjoy.

Hesleden War Memorial Update

Last year we were delighted to help the Blackhalls Local History Group and Monk Hesleden Parish Council to organise an open day in Hesleden Methodist Chapel to ask the residents of Hesleden if they would like a war memorial in their village (please see post dated Sunday 4 September 2016 for background details).

We are pleased to announce that since then we have been able to secure funding for the project so the History Group and Parish Council are now holding an event at the same venue next weekend to update residents on progress made since last September:

Monk Hesleden Parish Council

in association with

Blackhalls Local History Group

Would like to invite

Residents and former residents of Hesleden

for an update on the Hesleden War Memorial Project

To be held in the

Hesleden Methodist Church Hall

Saturday 21^st January

10.00am until 12.00 noon

 Present will be

Lynda Wardle

Clerk to Monk Hesleden Parish Council

County Councillors Rob Crute & Lynn  Pounder

Wayne Gibson

East Durham Area Action Partnership

Blackhalls  Local  History  Group

Our comments on housing proposals for Blackhall

In November last year the county council received a planning application seeking permission to build up to 97 houses on land to the south of the B1281 in Blackhall (please see posts dated Friday 16 September 2016 and Sunday 6 November 2016 for background information).

The B1281 in Blackhall looking east towards St Joseph's and the coast, with the proposed development site to the right

Since then we have had the opportunity to consider the proposals, along with the comments submitted by local residents and businesses as part of the statutory consultation process, and we have now written to the county council's planning department setting out our own views on the plans.

We fully agree with the clear majority of people and businesses who made representations and felt that a development of this nature would bring a number of benefits to our village in terms of regeneration, sustainability and meeting housing need. Consequently we are broadly in support of the developer's proposals.

Naturally the safety of our residents is of paramount importance so we have noted one or two matters that we think need to be addressed before the development is allowed to proceed and we have raised these points as part of our submission.

We have published below a complete transcript of our comments as submitted to the council's planning department:

Planning application: DM/16/03450/OUT: Erection of up to 97 dwellings on land to the west of Blackhall cemetery and south of Hesleden Road, Blackhall Colliery

Comments of Cllr Rob Crute and Cllr Lynn Pounder

Having considered the comments submitted by local residents and businesses we are supportive of the proposal to erect up to 97 dwellings on land as identified in the planning application and we offer no specific objections providing the comments below are taken into consideration.

We note that there is considerable support from residents and businesses in and around Blackhall, mostly in terms of regeneration, potential investment, sustainability, housing choice and job creation.

Many positive comments have been submitted as part of the statutory consultation exercise and we have also been made aware of general support from other sources, including those made at local ward surgeries and through social media. Most comments suggest that a development of this nature is needed to meet local housing demand and also to sustain the businesses and other services in the village and the surrounding area.

We agree with many of those comments supporting the proposal and we feel that this development will offer a greater choice of housing type to the village and will also open up the local housing market to give younger families from the village an opportunity to settle in their own community rather than migrate to other towns and villages. We also welcome the job opportunities proposed as part of the development proposals.

We note that the number of properties proposed would be useful in sustaining businesses and services in and around Blackhall. We also note that there is sufficient capacity in our local schools to accommodate children from the proposed development. We see this as a welcome opportunity to both strengthen and sustain the schools in our ward.

We also note those comments less supportive of the plans including those relating to loss of view, impact on local property values (which we acknowledge is not a material planning consideration), road safety and risk of flooding.

In urging the planning authority to approve the development we would ask that the following points be taken into consideration:

We note that there have been flooding and drainage problems in and around the development site and we believe that a proven and effective flood management plan is essential to ensure that flood risk is eliminated as far as possible before construction commences.

We are aware of concerns about speeding vehicles and an associated risk of traffic and pedestrian accidents on the stretch of the B1281 between Hesleden and Blackhall Colliery which runs along the northern edge of the development site. We share those concerns and we recognise the potential effect that access and egress at the development site might have in terms of increased risk of accidents. We believe it is essential that appropriate traffic calming and speed reduction measures are considered and imposed prior to approval.

We note the statutory consultee comments relating to the lack of public rights of way (PROWs) in and around the development site, and the impact this might have for access onto housing at the site following completion. We support the comments and proposals of Monk Hesleden Parish Council in this regard.

As part of the exhibition/open day held in the village to gauge initial public opinion on the development proposals (separate to the formal public consultation exercise) we questioned the need for 5-bedroom properties as included in the plans and we were given assurances that the construction of those larger properties would be removed from the proposals to be replaced by a proportionate number of bungalows, to be constructed to the eastern side of the site. We feel that this would help to both meet clear demand in the village for bungalows, and also offer an opportunity to mitigate the visual impact of the development on existing properties to the east of the development site. As such we feel that the commitment to construct bungalows as part of the development must be binding (although we acknowledge that this point may be more appropriately made at the reserved matters element of the planning process).

Cllr Rob Crute and Cllr Lynn Pounder
Blackhall Division
Durham County Council

Proposals to improve visibility at the Gray Avenue/B1281 junction

When approval was given last year to Hargreaves plc to reclaim the former pit heap at Hesleden a number of conditions were attached to the consent, meaning that removal works would not be allowed to proceed until certain works had been carried out.

When we put our objections to the planning committee at county hall (please see post dated Wednesday 6 February 2016) we spoke of our serious misgivings about the poor visibility splay and an associated increased risk of traffic accidents at the junction of Gray Avenue and the B1281 if the plans were allowed to proceed (please see posts dated Saturday 6 February 2016 & Thursday 22 September 2016 for further reports about our concerns).

As a result the developer has now submitted a planning application seeking approval to cut back the hedgerow to the east and west of the junction with the intention of improving visibility and making the junction safer. 

Clearly it is important that as many people as possible make their opinions known in relation to this proposal so please click on the link below and leave your comments with the planning department as part of the public consultation process:

Application Ref: DM/16/04081/HRN

Site Address: Hesleden Spoil Heap Hesleden TS27 4PN 

Proposal: Hedgerow on B1281 by junction on Gray Avenue

Full details of the application is contained in the following link:

http://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=OIN0CKGD0A000