Following the implementation of the new 20mph zone in our village centre I asked Councillor Craig Browne to provide some more detail regarding the costs of implenting the scheme and which roads are included.
Please confirm the area area/roads included in the 20mph zone?
As a result of feedback received during the initial consultation, the proposed 20mph zone was extended to include Trafford Road, Clifton Street, Stevens Street, Chapel Road, The Avenue, Stamford Road, Talbot Road and Moss Lane (part). The revised proposals (shown above) were published as part of the statutory consultation which took place in April 2022 and subsequently endorsed by the police, our three village schools and Alderley Edge Parish Council.
It is important to understand that this is a zonal scheme, rather than a collection of streets each with individual speed limits; this reduces the requirement for signage and associated street furniture. Nevertheless, signage has been installed at each entry and exit point, as follows: Heyes Lane (by Barrington House), Davey Lane (by Aldeli), Wilmslow Road (by Brook Lane), Brook Lane (by Alderley Edge School for Girls), Moss Lane (by Marlborough Avenue), Mottram Road (by Orchard Green), Macclesfield Road (by Trafford Road), Ryleys Lane (by Chorley Hall Lane) and Congleton Road (by Beechfield Road).
Please confirm the costs of implementing the 20mph zone and where the funding for this came from?
The costs of implementation, including the initial traffic assessment, public consultation, traffic management, road permits, signage and engineering measures were approximately £60,000; however, the opportunity was taken whilst the traffic management and permits were in place to carry out significant levels of resurfacing on London Road and Ryleys Lane. Clearly, the resurfacing works were not part of the scheme, but it was cost effective to do the resurfacing at the same time whilst the plant and workforce were on site and whilst the traffic management and permits were in place.
The costs of the 20mph zone have been met from s.106 funds which were raised on the Westbrook (17/23 London Road) development, via a voluntary contribution from the developer towards highways infrastructure. The funds had sat dormant in an interest bearing account at Cheshire East Council since they were first received in April 2005. The ways in which these s.106 funds may be used are governed by legal agreement, signed at the time planning permission is granted. As a reminder these funds may not be used on routine highway maintenance or non-highway related infrastructure.
The raised tables on London Road have been constructed to a gradient of 1:15, which I initially queried with officers prior to installation. The gradient is consistent with DfT guidance on the installation of traffic calming measures on roads which are identified as blue light routes by the emergency services, or which are recognised bus routes.
Comments
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Whichever, will motorists who drive between 20 and 30mph along Ryleys Lane, within the zone, receive letters via the Community Speed Watch team's activities, in the same way as they would have if they had been exceeding 30mph before the zone was introduced ?
In reply to Mr Pearce, I am glad I live in Cheshire rather than Norfolk. Cheshire Police have confirmed that 20mph zones are enforceable where there is physical infrastructure (eg raised tables, speed cushions or textured road surface) in place to indicate the presence of a change in speed limit.
This is a great initiative that the people in Alderley wanted. Well done Alderley.