TRAFFIC CALMING & ROAD WORKS

Resurfacing of the road surface and footways in Church Road commenced in June 2006. Traffic lights were installed for the kerbing and footway works, but it was necessary for the road to be closed for the road resurfacing.

Following the road works a scheme of Traffic Calming for Church Road was put in place. Although the full scheme of 6 islands was approved, the traffic island opposite the Fox and Hounds has yet to be installed.

The County Council has extended the 30mph speed limit northwards by about 153m to just beyond the De Beauvoir Farm entrance.

The Parish Council has received many queries regarding the delayed installation of the sixth traffic island north of the railway bridge. Initially, this was delayed because of drainage probems in the area, but is now being delayed because of the objections of a Chelmsford Borough Councillor, the proposed location being just over the District boundary in Chelmsford Borough. The County Council as highways authority is working to find a solution that will satisfy all interested parties.

In order for residents to see the plans for the proposed traffic calming scheme, to ask questions and to leave their completed feedback forms, a consultation/publicity event was arranged for SATURDAY, 24TH. JUNE 2006. This took place in the old hall at the Village Hall from 10.30am until 12.30pm and was very well attended with 59 completed forms posted in the responses box.

The Parish Council has been working towards the implementation of a Traffic Calming Scheme for several years, and has received overwhelming support from residents during that time.

The County Council was considering two options, only one of which would be installed. This would either be the traffic island opposite the Fox and Hounds as originally planned, or a vehicle activated sign (VAS) opposite 'Wyoming'. The County Council carried out speed surveys before and after the 30mph speed limit was instated. There was no change. The 24 hour 85% speeds of vehicles entering the parish from the north is still in excess of 40mph. The County Council's decision has now been published. The vehicle activated sign was installed in April, 2009.

Unfortunately, a speed and traffic traffic census carried out by the Police towards the end of April, 2009 showed the VAS had not brought down the speed of traffic to within the 30mph speed limit.

The results of the police speed check held in Church Road between 23 - 26th April 2009 were as follows:

• Total vehicles: 11434 northbound, 10859 southbound.
• Average speeds: 37mph northbound, 36mph southbound.
• 85^th percentile speeds, 42mph northbound, 41mph southbound.
• Total number of vehicles in excess of ACPO prosecution threshold: 5894 vehicles northbound, 4052 vehicles southbound.
• Over 850 vehicles in excess of 50mph.

Below are the plans for the siting of the VAS and the alternative traffic island.

Following a successful application by the Parish Council for Community Initiatives Fund Highways funding, a new traffic build-out has been designed by County Highways.  The proposed site is just south of the railway bridge, and implementation is expected before the end of the 2010-11 financial year..