Rue des Buttes, St. Mary: Traffic Calming

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 28 March 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-T-2013-0037
Decision Summary Title :	Traffic calming on Rue des Buttes, St Mary, in the area of the Service Station		Date of Decision Summary:	21 March 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Acting Senior Engineer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Traffic calming on Rue des Buttes, St Mary, in the area of the Service Station		Date of Written Report:	21 March 2013
Written Report Author:	Acting Senior Engineer		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: To construct two narrow sections of road 5 metres long on Rue des Buttes, St Mary, to slow vehicles down.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the installation of the structures that narrow the road with the associated signage to guide drivers through the scheme.
Reason(s) for Decision: To slow down traffic passing along Rue des Buttes in the area of the Service Station and improve pedestrian accessibility.
Resource Implications: The physical works will cost approximately £6,000 which can be funded from the Sustainable Transport budget allocated to support road safety.
Action required: The Acting Senior Engineer, Transport Policy, to arrange for the narrowing structures and signage to be installed.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Rue des Buttes, St. Mary: Traffic Calming

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

TRAFFIC CALMING ON RUE DES BUTTES, ST MARY IN THE AREA

OF THE SERVICE STATION

Purpose of the Report

To construct two narrow sections of road 5 metres long on Rue des Buttes, St Mary to slow down vehicles.

Background

The Parish of St Mary has asked Transport and Technical Services to look into slowing down vehicles passing through the St Mary Village area. The Parish are particularly concerned for pedestrians accessing the Garage along this narrow section of Rue des Buttes which has no roadside footpath.

Discussion

Following the request from the Parish of St Mary to look into slowing down vehicles passing through the St Mary Village area, the Department has developed a small scheme consisting of two narrow sections of road five metres long, where there will only be room for one vehicle to pass at a time. One narrow section is proposed to be located 50 metres west of the Service Station, the other narrow section is proposed to be placed 50 metres to the east. A drawing of the proposal has been attached at Appendix A.

A combination of road signs and yellow lines will be provided so that drivers are clear which vehicle has priority. A gap will be left between the structures used to narrow the road and the roadside walls for pedestrians to pass without having to walk through the middle of the narrowed road.

The structures to narrow the road will be constructed using bolt down plastic kerbs with concrete placed between them. Should the traffic calming prove to be unpopular with drivers, and not provide the safer environment for pedestrians expected, then these structures can be easily removed. The signage and poles can also be re-used on other schemes or for routine maintenance and replacement.

The proposal was discussed in detail with the Connétable, Deputy and Chef de Police of St Mary at a meeting held at the Parish Hall on 28 January 2013 attended by the Acting Senior Engineer - Transport Policy. The proposals tabled at that meeting were supported by the Parish officials.

A three week formal consultation of the proposal has been undertaken. Details of the plans were placed on the consultation portal of www.gov.je/consult, a letter drop was carried out in the immediate area, and the scheme received excellent coverage in the media following a press release. Five e-mailed consultation responses have been received, as well as one phone call. Of these responses three were against, two were for the scheme and one respondent did not express an opinion.

Two of the opposing responders considered that the scheme does not go far enough; the third considered that the scheme would create excessive delay for vehicles passing through the village during the morning peak. Following receipt of the latter response a Vissim computer micro simulation model has been prepared. This modelling has demonstrated that, while there will be some delay to vehicles, the delay is likely to be acceptable to the majority of drivers.

Road humps could be installed as an alternative means of traffic calming. However, road humps can cause excessive noise and vibration nuisance to adjacent properties, especially in such a rural location, as well as being disruptive to the emergency services. Road humps would not be a suitable traffic calming method in this location.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the installation of the structures that narrow the road with the associated signage to guide drivers through the scheme.

Reason(s) for Decision

To slow down traffic passing along Rue des Buttes in the area of the Service Station and improve pedestrian accessibility.

Resource Implications

The physical works will cost approximately £6,000 which can be funded from the Sustainable Transport budget allocated to support road safety.

Action Required

The Acting Senior Engineer, Transport Policy, to arrange for the narrowing structures and signage to be installed.

Written by:	Acting Senior Engineer

Approved by:	Director of Transport

Endorsed by:	Director of Engineering and Infrastructure

Attachments:	Appendix A - sketches showing the location of the proposed traffic calming

I:\Minister\2013\Ministerial Decisions 2013\MD 00 Traffic Calming on Rue des Buttes St Mary\WR Traffic Calming on Rue des Buttes St Mary.doc