Written 28/07/04

County Council Consultation Results:

The consultation formally closed on 16th July, but forms received up to 22nd July have been entered into the analysis. A total of 434 responses have been included in the results. More work remains to be done to analyse the results by area.

Results summary

	Yes	No
Support for the aims of the proposals	75.8%	11.3%
	Severe or slight problem	No problem
Traffic Speeds	79.3%	20.7%
Traffic Volumes	89.4%	10.6%
Traffic noise/fumes	70.3%	29.7%
Pedestrian safety	76.3%	23.7%

Individual proposals:

Every proposal had a significant level of support (fully or partly) from those who expressed an opinion. The lowest level was just under 40%, whilst the highest level of support (for a 20mph school time advisory limit) was just over 90%. A total of 76 votes were cast either partly or fully opposing these 20mph limits.

Way forward:

The Parish Councils have met, both singly and jointly, three times since the exhibitions to discuss the proposals. Members of the public were present at one of these meetings and were able to raise questions and contribute to the debate.

County Council experts raised concerns that people were judging the scheme based on earlier designs of speed cushion and raised junctions. They urged residents to look at the Hemingford Grey scheme as being representative of what would be built.

A number of Councillors visited Hemingford Grey and have contacted local residents.

Pictures of Hemingford Grey scheme

Speed cushion	Raised junction

Residents reported that there was no noise from vehicles travelling over the speed cushions, and that both average and top speeds had been reduced. Councillors reported no problems with either cushions or junctions.

The Councils therefore agreed to support the County Council proceeding with the necessary formal consultation on the speed cushion and raised junction components of the proposals. Even though the firm decisions have not been made, this would ensure that the necessary information would be available to support the County's September deadlines for decision making. It would also be a further opportunity for public comment.

The joint Council meeting considered at length the remaining elements of the proposals. In addition, Councillors will be reviewing all of the comments from the response forms. A formal meeting will be held to decide which proposals are taken forward. At this point the indications regarding the scheme are as follows:

• The proposals for gateway features, 20 mph advisory limits, entry feature on Milton Road, cycle lane and give-way features on Cambridge Road had all received positive support and were supported.

• The proposal for the Station Road/High Street junction was extensively debated. It had not received overall support, and there were express concerns from the businesses on this section of Station Road.
  

  However, Councillors had received very positive support for the proposal from mothers with young children, who were concerned about the safety of this route between the Infants and Junior Schools. In addition, changes here could have a real impact on traffic volumes from rat-running. Evidence from the period when it was totally one way (arising from road works) was that problems with queuing traffic at The Green traffic lights quickly disappeared.

  Councillors therefore resolved to ask the County Council if a temporary implementation of this proposal, with review after 6 months, would be possible.
  

• Proposals for junction near War Memorial. This had not received overall support.
  
  A number of other options were discussed, but, because of the lack of support, Councillors indicated that this proposal would be dropped. Concerns were raised that traffic would attempt to by-pass the B1049 but it was hoped that this would not happen.
  

• Proposals for Chequers Road junction. These were supported.

• Eastern junction of The Crescent and Villa Road. The closure of this junction had not received overall support.

  There was extended discussion of this proposal, since it was intended to provide a safer route for residents wanting to cross this very wide junction. Councillors indicated that this proposal would be dropped.

  County experts indicated that there were no alternative solutions possible.

Prior to the next meeting:

• Councillors would be reading the comments on the submitted forms
• County Council would be undertaking formal consultation on the relevant proposals
• County Council would consider whether a temporary implementation of the High Street/Station Road proposal would be possible

Both Councils would meet together on September 1st (7.30p.m. at Impington Church Hall, Burgoynes Road, Impington) to decide which proposals would be recommended for implementation to the South Cambridgeshire Area Joint Committee.

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