As most of you will already be aware we have raised this issue with the police and traffic officers at the council many times over the years (posts dated Monday 9 April 2018, Friday 19 February 2016 and Wednesday 18 January 2012 are the most relevant to this particular topic).
In addition we invited traffic officers to the village just over a year ago to see for themselves at the problems faced daily by pedestrians in Middle Street. We also asked for a number of options to be considered which might at least mitigate the risks posed by careless motorists parking in places that they know present a danger to people using facilities in Middle Street.
This is the response we received at the time from the highways engineer:
Following the site meeting to Middle Street and previous draft scheme for bollards at the shops, I can provide the following information.
The issue being considered was one of vehicles pulling up outside the Post Office and either mounting the footway or the front of the vehicle turning across the footway and, in the process, making pedestrians feel vulnerable or, having difficulty getting past the parked vehicles (due to them being parked partly on the footway thus narrowing it).
There was an initial request for a scheme to provide bollards which was drafted to enable further consideration to be made in relation to the impact on the businesses and pedestrians, along with consideration of available funding. Following discussions it was necessary to examine this draft scheme and other options on-site. There are a number of issues/options/suggestions arising from this meeting which are discussed below:
1 Bollards: When installing bollards it is
standard practice to set them back from the kerb line – the typical set-back is
0.5m between the kerb and the bollard with the bollards being about 150mm in
diameter. This is to account for the overhang of vehicles as they turn
and pull-up next to the kerb. Not doing this results in regular damage to
the bollards and footway around the bollard which can also create a hazard for
pedestrians when the bollard is initially knocked or it being displaced. Due to the bollards being
set-back this has the effect of narrowing the footway, albeit over short
distances, but this can create an issue for those who use wheelchairs,
pushchairs or motorised buggies. As there would be a line of bollards,
the footway would effectively be reduced to about 1.2metres (or 4 feet).
In addition, during busy periods of pedestrian usage, the footway can become
difficult for pedestrians to negotiate and they are forced to move onto the
road, which as the Coast Road is a busy road, is a less than desirable
situation. Additionally, moving vehicles
further out into the road at a location where there is a bus stop on the
opposite side of the road will lead to the road effectively being blocked while
a bus is stopped.
2 Raising the Kerb: Raising the kerb would
provide a deterrent for motorists to mount the footway. This is a
feasible option however, it would require the footway to be re-profiled such
that it is lifted to the new height of the kerb. As the rear of the footway
is at a fixed level due to the shop fronts and the damp proof layers in the
buildings, the re-profiling would introduce a back-fall slope towards the
properties. (At present the footway falls from the properties to the road
channel and therefore water is shed towards the road). The introduction
of a back-fall towards the properties would require the introduction of new
drainage channels and gullies along the property line and additional damp-proof
layers between the footway and properties. This would also introduce a
maintenance issue with regard to cleaning of the channels and gullies.
This would be an extremely costly option and significantly beyond the funding
which could be made available.
3 Raising the Kerb: Raising the kerb but not
re-profiling the footway. Such an arrangement would require a
back-to-back kerb to ensure that there is sufficient strength in the kerb to
resist impact from vehicle wheels, especially as some of these vehicles will be
HGVs servicing the businesses. There are a number of issues with this
suggestion which would rule it out. First, this option would still
require the provision of drainage channels and gullies just behind the kerb
line to take the water shed onto the footway. Secondly, the raised kerb would
create a trip hazard for pedestrians wishing to cross the road, which is not
typically expected or found on footways. The trip hazard could
potentially make a pedestrian fall into the live carriageway. Thirdly, it creates a barrier
for those who use wheelchairs, pushchairs and motorised scooters as they will
be unable to cross along the length of raised kerb. Fourthly, if a vehicle (car)
were to turn in to the location and drive over the kerb, it could become
stranded by the double kerb (one wheel on the road, one on the path) and have
difficulty getting back over the kerb. Some vehicles may ground out over
the kerb and become stuck.
4 Warning Signs: Consideration was given to the
provision of signs advising motorists of the issues caused by their actions
when parking in this area. There are a number of considerations regarding
this suggestion. First, a motorist would not be
able to read the warning sign before mounting the footway or turning across
it. However, it is acknowledged that the driver may read the sign and
perhaps not repeat offend. Secondly, the signs would be
purely advisory and have no legal stature or enforceability. Thirdly, there is already
signage in place in the form of “double yellow lines” and “hatched white lines”
to advise and restrict motorists from parking in this location. These
marking are enforceable and contravention of the restriction comes with a fine. Fourthly, motorists are ignoring
the existing signage (enforceable road markings) and therefore additional
signage is likely to be completely ignored.
5 Enforcement: Whilst requests for enforcement
action have previously been requested and carried out, due to the lack of
realistic alternative, further requests for enforcement will be made. I hope the above covers our discussions and the issues raised.
Following the comments we've received recently we have asked for an increased presence of traffic enforcement officers at this location in the hope of preventing further dangers posed by inconsiderate motorists.
Finally, if you are visiting Blackhall please note that there is sufficient off-street parking in the village, along with dedicated parking facilities behind the pit wheel on Middle Street and also at Blackhall Community Centre car park just a short walk away on Hesleden Road.
**UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY**
In response to my request for an increased presence of traffic enforcement officers I have now received confirmation from the Parking Services team that officers will target the area over the next few weeks with the intention of deterring motorists from parking in restricted areas, particularly in the main shopping area.
Naturally no one wants to see motorists fined, but the safety of people shopping and using other facilities in our village is paramount so let's hope this incentive has its intended impact.
