Item 9 - Review of Speed Limits Around Schools
West Dunbartonshire Council · 5 February 2025
Back to Infrastructure, Regeneration & Economic Development Committee — 5 February 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer - Roads and Neighbourhood Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development 5 February 2025 Subject: Review of Speed Limits Around Schools 1 Purpose 1.1 This report provides an update to Committee on the outcomes of the recent review of speed limits around Primary Schools and advises of the actions recommended with associated costs. 2 Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Committee: a) notes the outcome of the review undertaken of the speed limits around primary schools; b) approves the implementation of a Temporary Traffic Regulation order at Balloch Campus, Alexandria along A813 as set out in the report to be monitored and shape the promotion of a permanent order; c) approves the replacement of advisory signage at Dalreoch Primary School, Dumbarton with permanent 20mph signing and road markings; d) approves the upgrade and refresh of road markings and signage at all school locations; and e) remits the decision on budget allocation to Council for consideration. 3 Background 3.1 To improve road safety around the primary school campus’ West Dunbartonshire Council has a commitment to implement 20mph speed limits around schools. 3.2 Roads and Neighbourhood Services have undertaken a review of the current Council policy of 20mph speed limits around Primary Schools. This was to ensure a consistent policy application, particularly where co-location and relocation of schools had occurred. 3.3 The review included a desktop review of the Council’s existing traffic regulation orders supported by site visits to compare site conditions against those specified in the orders and to assess the condition of the road markings and signage at each location. ITEM 9
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4 Main Issues 4.1 The review concluded that the majority of the council’s primary schools had the necessary traffic regulation order and signage in place however two specific locations were identified where measures were required: 1. Balloch Campus, Carrochan Road, Jamestown, Alexandria 2. Dalreoch Primary School, Kingsway, Castlehill, Dumbarton 4.2 Balloch Campus, Alexandria Dalvait Road, which has direct residential frontage, multiple road junctions and on which the former school entrance is located, benefits from extensive traffic calming in the form of round top road humps Whilst the A813 currently benefits from two traffic calming features and extensive Keep Clear road markings, consideration should be given for the promotion of a Traffic Regulation Order for the A813 Carrochan Road between Smith Crescent and Dalvait Road. 4.3 Dalreoch Primary School, Dumbarton The area around the school is currently subject to an advisory 20mph traffic limit with all appropriate signage and road markings in place to support this however as it is advisory it is not enforceable. Following review of the existing traffic regulation orders it was identified that a permanent Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) has been successfully promoted, however the original advisory 20mph signing requires to be replaced by mandatory signage. 4.4 Wider School Network The review identified that the signage and road marking at several of the campuses required upgrading. These sites are located throughout the school estate. 4.5 The 2 options for consideration at Balloch Campus are as follows: Option Detail Option 1 Promote a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order for the A813 Install signage and lining Implementation 12 – 16 weeks. This would allow the new restrictions to be in place for the start of the new school term in August 2025. Reduces the statutory consultation period required for a permanent TRO.
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Can only be promoted for maximum period of 12 months with possible 6 months extension. Would allow early implementation whilst we undertake the promotion of a permanent 20mph limit and implementation of a Council wide 20mph Streets Policy £18,000 Option 2 Promote a Permanent Traffic Regulation order for the A813 Implementation 12-18 months dependent on objections Restrictions will be permanently enforceable but will take an extended period to implement due to the statutory legal process. £25,000 4.6 The proposed intervention for Dalreoch Primary School is as follows: Proposal Detail Install signage and lining to permit enforcement of the permanent Traffic Regulation Order Implementation 4 - 6 weeks. This would allow the restrictions to be in enforced with appropriate signage and lining in place. £7,000 4.7 The signage and lining upgrade throughout school estate will require a budget allocation of £50,000. 5 People Implications 5.1 There are no direct people implications arising from this report. Support will be required from Legal Services to promote required temporary and permanent traffic regulation orders.
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6 Financial & Procurement Implications 6.1 There are direct financial or procurement implications arising from this report. Capital Funding Requirement: Balloch Campus Traffic Regulation Order promotion, signing and lining Dalreoch Primary Installation of signage and road markings Upgrade of signage and road markings throughout the school estate Total £75,000 Procurement is required of a specialist road marking contractor, this is accessed through an existing framework. 7 Risk Analysis 7.1 In relation to Balloch Campus implementation of a temporary traffic order removes the need for a full consultation process and therefore reduces the implementation period however the Council could receive criticism for not undertaking the full consultation process. The temporary traffic regulation order will be monitored and this will shape the permanent order to be promoted. Stakeholders will be able to provide feedback during the promotion of the permanent order that follows. The implementation of 20mph limits around schools however is a nationally agreed approach and previous experience indicates that these generally receive little objection from local residents. 8 Equalities Impact Assessment 8.1 The implementation of 20mph limits at schools has some potential positive impacts for children and young people, disabled people and women, and those ethnic groups who have less access to cars, especially. 20 mph may also support health and wellbeing by encouraging more active travel. An assessment has been completed and is attached to the report. 9 Consultation 9.1 Statutory consultation is not required for the promotion of temporary traffic regulation orders or associated signage, statutory consultation is required for permanent traffic regulation orders. The service will liaise with appropriate teams where required.
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10 Strategic Assessment 10.1 The review sets out actions to support the successful delivery of the strategic priorities and objectives of the Council, in particular: Our Neighbourhoods are sustainable and attractive. Chief Officer: Gail Macfarlane Service Area: Roads and Neighbourhood Date: 22 January 2025 _____________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Liam Greene Roads and Transport Manager liam.greene@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendix: EIA Background Papers: None Wards Affected: All