Traffic calming schemes are introduced to solve an identified problem in one or more roads. The need for a scheme can be identified in a variety of ways. It may, for example, be a bad accident record or the concerns of residents that prompts an investigation. Sometimes the council adopts an 'area wide' approach to traffic problems, for example, where there is a demand from several residential roads for speed control humps. To deal with this, priority is given to the worst problems first.
Potential schemes are assessed against the following policies:
- To achieve safe movement by reducing accident levels
- To promote and accommodate the maintenance and improvement of public transport
- To restrain traffic and safeguard the environment
- To seek equitable levels of mobility and accessibility for all groups of people, particularly for those presently disadvantaged in mobility terms
- To reduce the impact of commuter parking
- To improve pedestrian safety, accessibility and convenience
- To promote cycling.
Consultation
The council consults residents for their views before the introduction of any new traffic measures. In addition, many traffic measures require the publication of a formal notice in the press. A three week period is allowed for objections to be received. Formal objections are considered, and schemes may need to be re-designed with further notices being published, before a legally enforceable Traffic Order can be made and the scheme introduced. The council is responsible for introducing and maintaining the physical measures and for making any necessary Traffic Orders but with the exception of parking schemes, enforcement of Traffic Orders is the responsibility of Police.
Components of schemes
There is no single solution to problems associated with traffic management. A variety of measures are used. They are sometimes used in combination.
The council receives many requests from residents for these to be introduced in their roads to reduce speeds and improve safety.
There are many different types of traffic calming measures the council can use:
- Pillow or cushion humps
- Chicanes and throttles
- Kerb build outs
- Width restrictions
- One way streets
- Banned turns
- No entry
- Road closures
- Standard roundabouts
- Mini roundabouts
- Pedestrian crossings
- Pelican crossings
- Zebra crossings
- Traffic islands
- Pedestrian refuges
- Facilities for disabled people
- Junction entry treatments
- White carriageway markings
- Continuous white lines
- Road junctions
- Traffic signals and control
- Home zones
Any number of these individual treatments may be used in a single scheme to try to bring about the desired speed reduction.
Traffic team contacts:
Telephone: 01724 296685
Email: traffic@northlincs.gov.uk
Address:
Traffic team
Highways & Planning
Church Square House
P O Box 42
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN15 6XQ