Decision Maker: Executive Director - Regeneration, Housing and Environment
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
In 2019, the Cabinet approved the
implementation of Stoke Road Corridor Highway improvement works to
provide an enhanced highway transport infrastructure to support the
planned regeneration projects to take place in the area.
The scheme introduced reduction in vehicle speeds, high quality
resurfacing and the installation of traffic signals to improve road
safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians at the junction of
Wellington Street and Wexham Road and the junction of Stoke Road,
Elliman Avenue its junction with Shaggy Calf Lane, its junction
with Stanley Cottages and its junction with Mill Street.
Littledown Road is a side road connecting Grays Road and Stoke
Road. Drivers using this road to exit onto Stoke Road must cross a
pedestrian footway, creating a significant safety hazard for
pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, due to the absence of
traffic signals on Littledown Road and its junction with Stoke
Road, when drivers at Littledown Road attempt to turn right or
left, it leads to further conflicts with pedestrians and cyclists
crossing Stoke Road. This issue is particularly problematic when
drivers turn right, as the limited sight distance at the crossing
location prevents them from stopping in time to allow pedestrians
to cross safely.As part of Stoke Road corridor and junction
improvements, it is recommended to close Littledown Road at its
junction Stoke Road under an experimental scheme. This measure will
enhance pedestrian safety and reduce dangerous conflicts between
pedestrians and drivers.
The closure of Littledown road at its junction Stoke Road is
expected to improve road safety for the community and road users.
Access into Littledown Road will remain available via Grays Road
and Stoke Gardens.
To approve to undertake an experimental road
closure on Littledown Road at its junction Stoke Road, reference to
the Stoke Road scheme improvements works to improve road safety of
pedestrians and cyclists at the area.
1. That the consultation exercise on the proposed design for the
scheme is undertaken to gather feedback from local residents,
commuters, ward members and statutory consultees.
2. That the necessary traffic orders are prepared and consulted on
in preparation for the scheme delivery
3. Subject to there being no objections from stakeholders to the
experimental scheme, the closure of Littledown Road at its junction
Stoke Road will made a permanent scheme.
National Policies:
DfT’s Gear Change a Bold Vision for cycling and walking that
presents four themes to encourage cycling. These themes include
Better Streets for cycling and pedestrians, cycling at the heart of
decision making, empowering and encouraging Local Authorities and
enabling people to cycle and protecting them when they do. The
strategy sets an objective to double cycling rates and to increase
the number of children aged 5 to 10 that usually walk to school
from 49% to 55% by 2025.
DfT’s Strategic framework for Road Safety: The DfT's
Strategic Framework for Road Safety outlines the UK Department for
Transport's comprehensive plan to reduce road casualties and
improve safety for all road users. It sets clear targets for
casualty reduction and promotes collaboration among stakeholders,
including local authorities and private sectors, to achieve
sustainable improvements in road safety.
Vision Zero
The Vision Zero strategy, which has been adopted by several UK
cities like London, aims to eliminate all road deaths and serious
injuries by making changes to road design, enforcement, and
education.
Key principles include: Prioritizing safety for vulnerable road
users, such as cyclists and pedestrians.
Designing roads that minimize the risk of accidents, with features
like better crossings, lower speed limits, and protected bike
lanes.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs)LTNs aim to reduce through-traffic
in residential areas, which can make the streets safer for
pedestrians and cyclists. These neighbourhoods often feature:
Restricted vehicle access or reduced speed limits in residential
areas.
Increased priority for walking and cycling, with improved paths and
crossings.
Measures like traffic filters and road closures to reduce
rat-running traffic, which can be dangerous for vulnerable road
users.
Local Policies:
• The Corporate Improvement and Recovery Plan Corporate Plan
2023-27 (A fresh start)
i. A borough for children and young people to thrive; by
introducing a safer road network that enables them to walk and
cycle to access facilities for education, play areas, home and work
and as a result tackling obesity.
ii. A town where residents can live healthier, safer and more
independent lives. An environment that helps residents live more
independent, healthier and safer lives needs by introducing road
safety measures that improve the road network for all road
users.
iii. A cleaner, healthier and more prosperous Slough; a council
that lives within our means, balances the budget and delivers best
value for taxpayers and service users by providing enhancement
works that help reduce the severity of fatal and serious injury
collisions and provide safer passage to places of work, shopping
areas, school, home.
• Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan
The council has committed to challenging targets, with a net zero
carbon target by 2040 for the borough, and a stretch target of 2030
for the Council’s operations. Improving pedestrian and
cyclists’ safety will encourage active travel and reduce
pollution.
• The Low Emission Strategy
Improving walking and cycling infrastructure will reduce emissions
and improve the air quality at the area.
The Local Transport Plan
The proposed closure aligns the road safety objectives within the
Council’s Local Transport Plan 3, to reduce the number of
road accidents and casualties.
Legal Implications
• The Traffic Management Act 2004 (Section 16(1)) imposes a
Network Management Duty to ensure that Slough Borough Council
secures the expeditious movement of traffic on the
authority’s road network and facilitates the expeditious
movement of traffic on road networks for which another authority is
the traffic authority.
• All proposals that require permanent and temporary traffic
orders are subject to procedures under the Road Traffic Regulation
Act 1984 (RTRA 1984) and the Local Authorities Traffic Orders
(Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. It should be
noted that under the RTRA 1984 s.122 the Council has a duty to
secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular
and other traffic (including pedestrians), which involves a
balancing exercise in accordance with that Act.
• The introduction of signage and road markings will be
undertaken using the Council’s statutory powers as the
Highway Authority and The Traffic Signs Regulations and General
Directions 2016.
Financial Implications:
Local Growth Fund Stream 3 grant from Berkshire Local Transport
Body (BLTB), will be used to fund the scheme. There are no funding
implications to the Council.
Publication date: 30/01/2025
Date of decision: 29/01/2025
Accompanying Documents: