1.  STAGGERED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

  Staggered pedestrian crossings are introduced for safety and traffic efficiency reasons. Government advice in LTN 2/95, The Design of Pedestrian Crossings, specifies that a staggered layout should be adopted where the road is wider than 15 metres, and should be considered for roads wider than 11 metres (paragraph 5.2.3). Factors to be considered in designing Signal-Controlled Crossings are described in the attached extract (A) from "Transport in the Urban Environment" published by the Institution of Highways & Transportation, and are set out in LTN 1/95, The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings. A typical single Pelican Crossing costs around £20,000 to £22,000. The introduction of a stagger would add around £4,000.

  Commonly, pedestrian crossings are incorporated in traffic signal-controlled junctions. In those cases the additional costs of pedestrian crossing provision, either straight or staggered, would be relatively small.

2.  HARMONISED PARKING STANDARDS—ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE

  Ensuring compliance with maximum standards will require guidance and intervention from County and Regional Government. Recommended mechanisms to be adopted are described in "Parking Standards in the South East", DETR Oct 1998, paragraph 6.3 (B) attached.

  Additionally, powers need to be given to the Strategic Planning and Transport authorities, including County Councils, to directly intervene to ensure that Local Planning Authorities (District Councils) comply with adopted parking policies and standards. This would be achieved by returning to the Strategic Planning & Transport authorities the power to direct a Local Planning Authority not to grant planning permission in individual cases, where this is judged (by the Strategic Authority) to be contrary to transport policy. (The Highways Agency has retained these powers in relation to developments adjacent to Trunk Roads.)

3.  HOW GOVERNMENT CAN ENCOURAGE THE NECESSARY CHANGES IN THE PUBLIC'S ATTITUDE TO CAR USE

  Explain the Realities—Publicise the Highway Agency's assessment and forecasts of congestion on the Trunk Road network (NARNAS—National Roads Assessment System).

  Avoid Mixed Messages—The 10-year Plan does not appear to accord with its parent, the Transport White Paper: there is little reference or support for travel reduction objectives.

  Introduce Awareness Campaigns—Follow the success of Drink/Drive and Anti-Smoking campaigns.

Roger Williams
Transport Planning Consultant

2 February 2001