Transport / Green light for traffic calming measures on Gilbertson Road
NEW traffic calming measures on Gilbertson Road and Bell’s Road in Lerwick have been approved by councillors.
The estimated cost of around £95,000 is due to be met by funding from Transport Scotland, and not Shetland Islands Council (SIC) itself.
A series of options for some roads in Lerwick went out to public consultation last year which included elements like speed cushions, zebra crossings and an extension of the 20mph limit.
With objections received, the first series of proposals – for Gilbertson Road and Bell’s Road – came in front of councillors on the SIC’s environment and transport committee on Monday.
The report which went to elected members said there have been long-standing safety concerns raised around traffic at Bell’s Brae Primary School, with vehicles regularly going above the speed limit.
The new planned measures on Gilbertson Road include three flat topped humps, including one near to Bell’s Brae Primary School, and a set of speed cushions.
A set of speed cushions which were originally proposed for the south end of Gilbertson Road were removed from the plans due to the impact on driveway access.
A raised junction area is also proposed for Bell’s Road, while on both there would be new road markings.
Despite some objections to traffic calming measures and also a fair amount of frustration on social media, councillors approved the proposals – particularly given the positive they would have on road safety around Bell’s Brae Primary School.
Catherine Hughson said as vice-chair of the education and families committee, she welcomes any reduction in traffic issues at schools.
She also described the proposals as “very considerate”.
Lerwick South member Dennis Leask also said things can get “quite chaotic” outside the school and welcomed the proposals.
Green councillor Alex Armitage said only having 20mph signs has not worked and that the SIC needed to “up its game”.
“In my view children have to come first – its the biggest primary school in Shetland and it’s also the site of the child health clinic at the hospital,” he said.
Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Arwed Wenger however expressed concern at the location of speed cushions and called for them to be taken out of the plans, but did not receive any backing.
Earlier in the meeting Shetland West member Mark Robinson also criticised speed cushions, saying they can damage vehicles, while he said many drivers accelerate after passing them before slowing down again for any ones that follow.
Robinson also expressed concern about the location of two proposed flat topped humps which will contain zebra crossings, given they would be near to junctions.
But roads manager Neil Hutcheson said the locations were following guidance.
Hutcheson said the roads team responded to objectors to try to explain their reasoning, and in one instance a hump changed dimensions following representation from a local resident.
Of the 26 objections with name and address details and who raised specific concerns, four were from residents of Gilbertson Road.
Responding to general concerns about traffic calming measures, the roads department said there is “no direct evidence” to support claims that they can damage cars when they are driven over at an appropriate speed.
They also acknowledged that many drivers do brake hard into and accelerate swiftly away from traffic calming features, but the roads team called this “poor driver behaviour”.
“The introduction of area wide reduced speed limit zones with an emphasis on evening out speeds across the urban road network will make such driver behaviour less attractive,” they wrote.
“A smoother, more even driving style that is more constant with the overall 20mph limit will minimise any negative impacts from increased emissions.”
They also said that nationally it is accepted that wider community benefits outweigh any drivers feeling uncomfortable when they drive over humps and cushions.
The roads team also said while there will still be some minor delays to emergency vehicles, “the accepted benefits in road casualty reductions arising from substantially reduced vehicle speeds are considered nationally to outweigh any residual impacts on emergency response journey times”.
The council has also worked on proposals for King Harald Street and South Road/Scalloway Road, with reports expected on these in due course.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
