Minutes:
Mr Alastair Moore and Mr John
McGall, Rhu Community Council, asked the following
question:
We would be grateful if the
Area Committee will consider a road safety initiative by Rhu residents for the provision
of a much needed pedestrian pavement in lower Pier Road, Rhu. We include this
plea in writing with supporting photographs.
The carriageway in Pier Road,
according to A&BC, is substandard in width with a significant section of
the road entirely without footpath and would not meet current design standards.
Two – level surface shared pedestrian lanes are incorporated into the
carriageway further reducing road lane width rendering vehicular pass through
impossible without lane encroachment. These lanes do not comply with the
requirements of Equality Act and force pedestrians to turn their back to
oncoming traffic; a dangerous practice contrary to the Highway Code. Moving
Traffic encroachment into lanes is a common everday
occurrence with pedestrians prevented from stepping out of harm’s way to avoid
collision because of a high grass embankment at one side and a stone wall at
the other, which effectively traps them in the lanes. The risk to pedestrians
is exacerbated by the use of Pier Road as a timber haulage route, where up to
5,000 HGVs journey per year – with loads of 44 tons, now takes place with the
industry suggesting this will go on in perpetuity.
Pier Road is in a
conservation village and forms part of the ‘Highlandman’s
Road’ which is, in itself, a popular tourist attraction for hillwalking groups
but also links the tourist attractions of Hill House in Helensburgh and Glenarn Gardens & Marina in Rhu. It is also the route
to school for children and residents catching public transport on the A814 and
probably the busiest residential road in the village with traffic flow rates
currently in excess of 100 vehicles per hour. With the first steps in the
future development of McKenzie Estate now underway, these figures are likely to
increase significantly going forward. When congestion takes place on the A814,
either due to increased Base traffic or the A814 being temporarily closed,
those with local knowledge see this route as a means to bypass delays and as a
result normal traffic volumes increase dramatically.
The increased risk to
pedestrians has had a negative impact on our community. The frightening effect
it has had is self-evident when you learn of and see local residents and their
families being forced to give up their use of the public realm for fear of
serious injury. The risk was confirmed at a multi-agency meeting on Friday 31st
May 2019 when a Police Scotland traffic officer, having seen and assessed this
situation on Pier Road first hand, stated in his report that the shared use of
Pier Road near the junction of A814 was a significant concern and pedestrian
safety was being compromised. He recommended A&BC should take action. Mr
Jim Smith, our Roads and Amenities Manager who was also in attendance stated
“If I could give you a pavement here and now I would… but you have to get the
funding in place.”
It is the opinion of
residents that this section of road incorporating a shared lanes scheme is
inherently dangerous for all pedestrians and is no longer fit for purpose. They
feel it is therefore essential, to ensure pedestrian safety, a formal pavement
be constructed and this view is shared and supported by R&SCC. It would
seem it is physically feasible to construct a pavement on the east side of Pier
road where a 180 meter grass verge approximately 1.2 meters wide exists. The
verge is formed from 5 parcels of land which may require Compulsory Purchase; a
process which we fully understand can be difficult even though one resident, so
concerned about public safety, has strongly indicated willingness to donate the
land, approximately 30% of the entire verge, for free.
It is therefore with respect
we ask this committee to take the necessary requisite action to provide the tax
paying residents of Rhu with a much needed pavement and instigate the first
stage of this process in regard to Compulsory Purchase. In recognising funding
may be in short supply, we also ask the Committee to consider any and all
funding opportunities.
Councillor Freeman noted that
he agreed with everything which had been raised by Mr Moore and Mr McGall and had a copy of the report from the road policing
department in Dumbarton which stated that the lack of a footpath was clearly
compromising the safety of pedestrians. Councillor Freeman advised that
following a site visit in May which he attended alongside Councillor Paterson
and a number of agencies the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services had
agreed a number of actions, including attempting to identify funding via sustrans and other avenues but there has been no feedback
following this. Councillor Freeman noted that it had been agreed during the
site visit in May that white lines would be repainted at a mini roundabout near
the site within 2-3 weeks but this has not yet been done and continues to be a
hazard.
Councillor Morgan advised
that she had received an e-mail from concerned residents and had visited the
site herself so could appreciate the concerns raised.
Councillor Paterson expressed
concern for the potentially serious repercussions of the outlined problem and
noted that he would fully support residents of Rhu and the Community Council
and endorse their concerns. Councillor Paterson noted that two incidents had
been raised at the previous Community Council which had been reported to the
police. Councillor Paterson advised that he had received assurance from the
Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services that the white lines at the mini
roundabout would be painted by the end of January.
Councillor Morton advised
that there had been an unfortunately high turnover of Roads Officer and
staffing issues have now improved which would hopefully see outstanding works
completed shortly. Councillor Morton noted that she would agree that the Area
Committee would be happy to look at the issue and progress it, although
previous similar situations had been stymied by issues regarding land ownership
and funding.
Councillor Morgan agreed that
the Committee would be happy to progress this and it would be passed on to the
relevant officer for follow up and response.